South Surrey hardcourt rivalries are set to be revived next week, as the senior boys basketball teams from the area’s three public schools tip off for Rivals Week.
Now in its fifth year, the three-game series will pit the Semiahmoo Totems, Elgin Park Orcas and Earl Marriott Mariners against each other, beginning Monday when Marriott travels down the road to square off against the Totems at Semiahmoo Secondary. Tip-off for that game is 2 p.m., and will be followed Tuesday by the Totems heading to Elgin Park for a 1:45 p.m. game.
The series wraps up Wednesday afternoon when the Orcas head to EMS to take on the Mariners at 1 p.m.
Since its inception four years ago, Semiahmoo – which is ranked inside the top-10 among B.C. AAA teams this season – has won each mini-tournament, and last year went undefeated to keep the Rivals Week Cup at the 148 Street school.
The streak is a point of pride for the Totems – “We’re happy to keep the trophy, absolutely,” head coach Ed Lefurgy told Peace Arch News after last year’s win – but the three-day event is also an excellent school-spirit boost to start the basketball season; each year, the games are scheduled either during school hours or right after the final bell in order to encourage students to watch the games.
“It’s been very popular – the kids really enjoy it,” Lefurgy told PAN Tuesday.
“And the players, they all look forward to it. It’s fun to play in front of your peers.”