Central Boys Pull Off JV Basketball Victory
Central Cyclones other basketball team, the JV Boys, pulled off a 107.- 34 victory over top of the Vanier Vikings JV squad on Monday evening.
Made up of grade 11 and grade 12 students the Cyclones used size, age and experience playing together as teammates over the years to dominate throughout the game.
Here are some photos of the action with the Vanier Vikings in black and the Central Cyclones in white.
Photo credit MJ Independent
Cyclones head coach Zach Hagerman sung praise for Central’s JV program.
“Central has such a strong basketball program that having a JV team around allows guys to play basketball. It keeps the program strong with guys that maybe instead of taking a year off they get another year where they can work on their craft and have fun as a team,” Hagerman said.
“It really allows the guys to play high school ball and have fun also.”
Photo credit MJ Independent
Hagerman said he didn’t know if having JV keeps players in the program who might quit if they couldn’t get on the junior or senior squads “but it allows them to come back stronger players. They don’t come back rusty…”
“I think for the kids it makes it better and easier to make these senior teams as well.”
Although JV teams can have grade 9 and grade 10 players Central’s JV team is made up of Grade 11 and Grade 12 students.
“It’s good for the program. It’s good for the school. It’s good for the kids,” he said.
Photo credit MJ Independent
Hagerman said having a “pretty veteran group” was key to their victory over the Vikings.
“I’ve had the honour coaching some of these kids for three years so I think they know each other which is a strong point…these are experienced basketball players….most of these guys have played before so I think that is what we saw today a little bit of experience,” he said.
Another strong point is many of the players have played basketball on the same team before so they know their roles.
Heading into the game Hagerman said the team only had a single practice so playing together before was crucial.
Photo credit MJ Independent
The Cyclones had a strong and fast transition game from defence to offence.
“That’s something we pride ourselves on certainly is being quick. I think that’s something Central basketball wants to pride themselves on,” Hagerman said.
The lack of communication between the players is something that is a concern early in the season.
“It’s something we have to get better at in practice…the communication is something we have to work on throughout the year.”
Despite no grade 9 and grade 10 students on the JV squad he felt they would still make it to the senior team.
“I have no doubt they’ll have a little bit more meat on the bone and they’ll make it to the senior team when their time comes for sure.”
Hagerman commended Vanier’s program stating that they had some players still learning the game but that will come.
“It’s going to be a fun year for the league. It’s going to be a fun year for the boys. It’s going to be really competitive when all is said and done,” he said.
The Vikings at halftime - Photo credit MJ Independent
The JV league sees three new teams - South Hill Royal Falcons, Vanier Vikings and Central Cyclones this season.
South Hill - a combined team of Cornerstone Christian School and Riverview Collegiate - has returned to JV from a single season in senior boys.
There is one loss as Gravelbourg is not fielding a team this year.
“I think that’s something Central is good for the city. Good for high school basketball. The fact that we have enough teams to have our own JV league is just great for the kids,” Hagerman said.
He said the loss of Gravelbourg was a tough one as they won’t be going on any trips down that way, but he was hoping that there would be tournaments out there. The team could travel to.
