The Duncan Christian School Chargers narrowly missed out on a chance to play in the provincial single-A boys basketball championships, bowing out to Gold River in the third round of the Island tournament in Victoria on Feb. 21-23.
The Chargers went into the tournament ranked second from the South Island, and knowing it was a deep field.
“This year, there seemed to be a general sense that teams 2-6 were all even,” said Jim Brandsma, who coached the DCS team along with assistant Arnie Hengstler. “And anyone could win on any given night.”
DCS opened with a 57-53 win over Gaglardi Academy behind a strong showing by Player of the Game Nathan Powell.
“He had a great game passing and making shots when he needed to,” Brandsma said of Powell. “A bright light in the next few years, as he is in Grade 10.”
The Chargers fell to Nanaimo Christian in their next game by a 67-58 final score. Ben Kapteyn was DCS’s Player of the Game.
“We didn’t seem to come ready to play,” Brandsma commented. “At one point we were down by 22 before half. We came out of half time and started clawing our way back. We put a press on in the fourth and came to within six. We just couldn’t close the gap fast enough before time ran out.”
A win over Gold River in their next game would put the Chargers in the bronze-medal game with a provincial berth on the line, and the players knew what was on the line.
“Our guys came out a totally different team from the night before,” Brandsma said. “It was great to see. All the guys were getting playing time and making really good decisions, and we were up by seven at the half. Then came the second half, and it seemed like the guys forgot what they accomplished in the first half.”
Gold River ended up winning 63-59. Vince Fernandez was named Player of the Game.
Powell was named a second-team all-star at the tournament and will be a key member of the team next year as the Chargers lose five graduating players: Kapteyn, Fernandez, Jesse Greir, Josaia Nolin and Ben Coleman.