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Semiahmoo Thunderbirds start off 2023 with two tournament wins

South Surrey senior boys basketball team now ranked No. 1 in provincial 4A bracket
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The Semiahmoo Thunderbirds senior boys basketball team has won two big tournaments lately. They’re now ranked No. 1 in the 4A B.C. High School Boys Basketball Association standings. (contributed photo)

It’s been a busy – and successful – start to 2023 for Semiahmoo Secondary’s senior boys basketball team.

The Thunderbirds, fresh off a 90-67 win over Tamanawis Secondary Monday night (Jan. 16), also won two prestigious tournaments they played in over the past two weekends.

The Legal Beagle tournament, held at Terry Fox Secondary Jan. 5-7, saw the Thunderbirds beat Kelowna in the semi-final, 83-63, and then beat No. 3-ranked Oak Bay in the final, with a score of 77-59.

“Both teams played well, they’re really well-coached,” Thunderbirds coach Les Brown said of the competition.

Torian Lee, Marcus Flores and Cole Bekkering received first team all-stars, while Jack Clayton was named a second team all-star.

This past weekend (Jan. 13-15), the team travelled to Abbotsford Secondary for the Snowball tournament.

Playing “perennial top team” Burnaby South in the semi-final, the Thunderbirds beat them soundly with a 103-61 win, before playing the No. 7-ranked host team, the Abbotsford Panthers, whom they trounced 123-83 in the final.

Lee was named tournament MVP, with Flores and Bekkering named first team all-stars.

READ ALSO: Hoops home opener for boys basketball at Semiahmoo Secondary Nov. 29

“The boys have been really focused and they’re really playing hard,” Brown said of his team.

The Semiahmoo Thunderbirds are currently ranked No. 1 in the provincial 4A bracket.

“We’re hoping to stay there… we know there’s a target on our back.”

They plan to just keep focusing on playing their game as well as they can, Brown said.

He noted having packed gymnasiums and fans screaming and cheering the kids on as they play makes it a great time.

“That’s what high school sports is all about. It’s awesome.”


@Canucklehedd
tricia.weel@peacearchnews.com

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Tricia Weel

About the Author: Tricia Weel

I’m a lifelong writer, and worked as a journalist in community newspapers for more than a decade, from White Rock to Parksville and Qualicum Beach, to Abbotsford and Surrey, from 2001-2012
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