New West Secondary’s junior girls basketball team will be scoping out the competition this week at the Bob Gair Classic.
The junior girls have had a stellar season so far, winning five out seven games played, including a 51-5 win over Byrne Creek Secondary on Monday. The two losses this season have come at the hands of Vancouver’s Lord Byng, a team that’s highly ranked in province.
But this week, the girls’ attention will be focused on the competition at the annual NWSS basketball tournament – the Bob Gair Classic, in honour of retired New Westminster Secondary teacher and coach who passed away in 2014.
The event tipped off Wednesday, with NWSS junior girls facing Richmond, after Record deadlines.
On Thursday, the girls were scheduled to play rival St. Thomas More at 5:30 p.m. in the Massey Gym.
“This’ll be an interesting tournament,” said Stephen Bruyneel, head coach for junior girls basketball team.
“We’re a different style team this year. We were very guard orientated last year, and this year we’re post orientated,” he added.
In the game against Byrne Creek, posts Tianna Gough and Devin Strome hit double-digits, marking 17 and 12 points respectively. Other standout players this season include Grade 9 call-up Natalie Nastase and defender Grace Fetherstonhaugh.
Bruyneel hopes this week’s tournament will act as a measure for the girls.
“We’re continuing to find out, you know, where do we sit as a team in the province, like how good are we? And by playing good teams that’s how you find out,” Bruyneel said.
The tournament runs until Friday, Dec. 18. Playoffs and the championship game take place in the evening.
