For the fifth straight year, the Nechako Valley Secondary School Vikings are the North Central zone double-A boys basketball champions.
The feat was accomplished after dispatching the DP Todd Trojans 65-61 over the weekend at the Shas Ti Kelly Road gym.
Vikings head coach, Gary Simorse says the group had to really work for this one.
“This was no exception this year. We went into the tournament seeded third behind Shas Ti Kelly and DP Todd – we had to beat them in the best two out of three based on the tournament format and we managed to do that.”
The team, which only has two seniors including tournament MVP Dayne Mueller now heads to provincials March 4th to 7th in Langley.
Simrose noted Mueller and fellow senior Linden Buchanan have been great examples for the younger players.
“One of the things they bring is the experience of going through this in the past. This is the third time doing this for both of them and have been a big part of that streak. I think they had a lot of leadership projects and trying to develop energy and enthusiasm throughout the season.”
“Our starting five have logged a lot of major minutes and we’ve had some key guys coming off the bench and making some big contributions. To start with our Grade 12’s since there are only two of them, we have had some strong senior leadership with those two.”
NVSS’s roster also consists of First Team All-Stars for Myer Himmelright and Zeke Ferguson.
Second Team All-Star Tyce Mueller as well as Linden Buchanan, Brody Black, Ben Teichroeb, Lucas Avison, Cameron Johnson, Miles Robinson, and Ty Johnson.
Assistant coach Joel Mueller, and of course to all the fans and community supporters.
Going into provincials, Simorse admits the odds are stacked against NVSS heading into the big dance – playing clean basketball will be a pre-requisite.
“We have to find a way to compensate for that depth (the other teams have) and we need to play error free if we want to have the chance at success.”
The Vikings are holding a bottle drive at the SD91 Bus Garage on Stewart St. East, across the street from the Vanderhoof Arena and Pool, starting at 10am.
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