New Backboard Sees Vikings Rebound

It has been almost a month and a half since the backboard at the Vanier gymnasium shattered due to a maintenance error.

But on Wednesday evening the Vikings junior boys basketball team got more than a friendly bounce as they rebounded to a 96 - 47 victory over top of Peacock Junior boys Orange team.

The victory is likely the Vikings best outing so far this season.

Mark Bevan head coach of the Vanier Vikings said it was good to finally be able to play at home.

“ Oh man, it’s been a while. Practices have been tough doing just half court. It’s been nice. I’m excited for tomorrow’s practice to finally have our full gym,” Bevan said.

He said the backboard repaired will have a 100 percent impact on the team.

“We haven’t been able to practice sets for about a month and a half now. So it’s been hard working on our press and our press break and things like that,” he said.

Despite the gym space being restricted due to the broken backboard Bevan said it didn’t really set the Vikings back.

“I wouldn’t say it said his back. We definitely worked on different things in practice. So we improved and other areas which was nice to do. So, yes we’re a little bit behind on our press and our press break.”

The score allowed the Vikings to play the bench more than they usually do.

“We were able to get a lot of playing time for a lot of players who never usually get to see the floor. To get them some game time is always nice to see,” he said.

The Vikings have been missing a pair of players due to injuries but on Wednesday evening one player returned to the court.

Wednesday evening’s crowd was small and Bevan wondered if it wasn’t because the backboard had been repaired earlier in the day and people got out the habit of coming out.

The Scoresheet