Sports
More in store on the floor for Ravens
The raven is said to be unusually
intelligent, extremely versatile and opportunistic, with a knack for problem
solving.
A wise and appropriate moniker
then for the new kids on the block.
Taking a deliberate and patient
path, the A.R. MacNeill Ravens reached the pinnacle of high school basketball
last week, appearing in their inaugural provincial AAA boys’ championships at
the Langley Events Centre. Ascending to the final four further suggests there’s
plenty more in store for the future of the Richmond high school’s senior boys
program.
But equally impressive, the team
was named the tournament’s most sportsmanlike team.
“We’re all feeling exciting about
where we’re going,” says Peter Thackwray, whose efforts have been as
instrumental as anyone’s in the construction of the MacNeill program.
Thackwray, who this year guided a
vaunted junior boys’ team while serving as an assistant coach to Steward Siy
and Landon Dy, has been involved in MacNeill athletics since the No. 4 Road
school opened in 2003. But typically modest, he deflects much of the accolades
to others.
“Having great people like Stew
and Landon has been instrumental in helping us get to this point,” he says. “This
has been a process and everyone has put in lots of time and work, the kids as
well, in hopes of building something that will continue to grow. It’s very
exciting.”
The 2018-19 campaign was a season
of several firsts, and included a second-place finish at the Lower Mainland championships
held at the Richmond Olympic Oval where they defeated a solid Richmond Colts
before a boisterous and supportive crowd.
At the provincials, the Ravens
won their B.C. tournament debut on centre court March 6 by defeating
11th-ranked Robert Bateman Timberwolves of Abbotsford 77-67 in a 10 a.m. tilt.
They then won thier quarter-final match 78-68 over North Vancouver’s Argyle
Pipers the following day to reach the final four before bowing to Vernon
Panthers 89-65 in the semifinals on March 8. Duchess Park outscored MacNeill
75-54 in the third/fourth place game Saturday.
• Steveston-London Sharks also
reached the provincial tournament, but were eliminated with an opening-day loss
to G.W. Graham of Chilliwack 85-59. In consolation play, Steveston-London defeated
Caledonia 62-59 before losing 85-70 to Byrne Creek and 69-64 to Pitt Meadows.