Central Cyclones JV Team No Second String In Senior Boys Tournament

They may usually be playing in a lower division but don’t tell that to the Central Cyclones JV boys basketball team this weekend.

The JV squad is one of two Cyclones’ teams playing in the Central Cyclones 64th Annual Invitational Basketball tournament.

Made up of grade 11 and grade 12 students the strong JV team is hopeful to score some wins and hopefully take on the Cyclones senior boys on Saturday at 6 pm.

The JVs started off on the wrong foot falling 89 - 80 to the Humboldt Collegiate Institute Mohawks.

“The score didn’t go our way but I felt the effort was solid,” said Cyclones head coach Zach Hagerman.

The game was close until the last few minutes with the Mohawks ahead by three points for the majority of the game.

“A HV team at a seniors tournament. I know we’re an experienced JV team but we’re playing 4A schools senior basketball and the results we can live with is something we can live with today,” Hagerman said.

Playing up against senior boys teams was seen as a positive to improve and build the team.

“I think this is exactly what this team needs. We’ve talked before this is an experienced JV team than what a typical JV team might be. So I think this really gets to test them and puts them in uncomfortable positions and that’s how you grow kids, athletes and basketball players,” he said.

Being one of two Central Collegiate teams in the tournament there’s potential of both of them meeting each other in the 6 PM final on Saturday.

“We were hoping to line it up. We are still able to, even after losing our first game maybe if we can win the next couple (of games). We could have an all Central final but we’ll just have to see how the rest of the tournament goes.”

The cost to attend the tournament is $5 per day. Pre-schoolers are free.

Games get under way at 9 am on Saturday with the championship game scheduled for 6 pm.

Everyone is welcome.

All games are at the Central Collegiate gym and its newly reconditioned floor.