The Similkameen News Leader
Sports Page - January 30, 2007
GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM EXPLODES
There is an exciting phenomenon unfolding at Princeton Senior Secondary School. Girls basketball has resurged in force. There are 37 girls participating on four teams, 27 of them in grade 8 or 9 alone.
There are two teams competing in the Junior girls league ( Grades 9 and 10) - only Pen Hi in Penticton has two teams to go along with Princeton's making a total of nine teams in the league.
Regarding Pen Hi, PSS went into their gym on Tuesday, January 16th to play their Grade 9 team. Setting the stage, Pen Hi is six times the size of PSS. Their AAA program is ranked provincially at both the senior and junior (Grade 10 team) level. PSS is Single A.
PSS stormed out 16 - 4 in the first quarter, and was never threatened while cruising to a 36 - 25 win. Seven of the nine dressed for PSS's game were Grade 9s, playing in only their second year, the balance.
This avenged an earlier loss to Pen Hi during PSS's tourney in November.
If you thought junior girls basketball was boring, be willing to be surprised. This team out hussles opponents, full court presses the entire game, and very aggressively attacks the ball regardless of who has possession. The core of this group will be around three more years, next year with very aggressive goals in the junior league.
Then consider that PSS also has a deep talent pool coming along at the Grade 8 level. Individually, this is a unique group of girls who have totally committed to each other and the team. They constantly surprise both themselves, the coaching staff, and those watching with their ability to improve and try new things. Mark the calendar for February 2009 and 2010 as the provincial tournament is in the teams sights.
Support their playoff drive, be entertained, and get a glimpse of things to come. Hope to see you at a home game soon.
PRINCETON JOINS SPIRIT OF 2010 TOURNAMENT
The Princeton Novice division tournament is the latest to register with the fifth annual Spirit of 2010 Hockey Tournament.The more than 136 players taking part in the Princeton Novice Spirit of 2010 Tournament starting February 3rd, will be part of a province-wide celebration of physical activity, amateur sport and the Spirit of BC.
"Thanks to tournaments like the Princeton Novice, the Spirit of 2010 Hockey Tournament has steadily grown over the past five years to become the largest of its kind in Canada," said the Hon. Stan Hagen, Minister of Tourism, Sport and the Arts.
"The tournament is about having fun and promoting amateur sport, while helping British Columbians meet our provincial goal of becoming 20% more active by the year 2010."
"By registering with the Spirit of 2010 Hockey Tournament, Princeton will be part of an even bigger tournament played in arenas around British Columbia," said Lyle Thomas, Chair of the Princeton Spirit of BC Community Committee.
"Visiting teams will experience this excitement and discover Princeton is a healthy, active community that plays safe and fun hockey."
Across the province, more than 42,000 young hockey players are expected to register in 200 community tournaments.
Every registered player will receive a commemorative hockey puck and certificate. Each tournament receives a Spirit of 2010 trophy, a banner to hang in the arena and one limited edition Spirit of 2010 hockey jersey to award a player showing exemplary team spirit and fair play.
"The Spirit of 2010 Hockey Tournament showcases amateur hockey, promotes active living and builds community spirit. 2010 Legacies Now is proud to be part of this province-wide tradition for the past five years," said Bruce Dewar, chief executive officer for 2010 Legacies Now.
The Spirit of 2010 Hockey Tournament is presented by the Province of British Columbia, 2010 Legacies Now, B.C. Hockey and the Vancouver Canucks. Tournaments across British Columbia are invited to register by visiting the website: www.2010LegaciesNow.com.
