Sports
The McMath Wildcats faced Whistler in senior girls basketball action at McMath Secondary School.
Photo by Chung Chow
Wildcats embody culture of excellence
In a culture of excellence, it’s perhaps wise
to expect the unexpected. After all, creativity and innovation are hallmarks of
champions. They’re forever challenging the status quo.
The McMath Wildcats senior high school girls
basketball team embodies these qualities.
Buoyed by the previous success of the
program, the players continually strive to reach even greater heights.
“There is a real commitment to the program,”
says Chris Kennedy.
Co-coach of the Wildcats with Anne
Gillrie-Carre, Kennedy says there are routinely girls, from Grade 8 through 12,
in the gym Sundays working to better their games.
“We are lucky to have a number of parent and
community coaches helping support the program,” Kennedy says.
And while fully respecting their coaches, and
the wisdom of their words, sometimes even the players don the proverbial coach’s
hat.
Earlier this season, Abby Zawada, a
fourth-year player on the senior squad, and Grade 10 Liz Kennedy, already in
her third year on the team, grabbed the whiteboard during a timeout to draw up
a play in a way the other girls would relate to.
“That is something I haven’t seen in 30
years,” Chris Kennedy says. “It is great having leaders on the floor who are so
in tune with the coaches.”
Zawada is consistently a top scorer each
game, while Liz Kennedy was a city all-star a year ago.
Martha Melaku has quietly become one of the
most reliable small forwards in the province, while Grade 11 Jayna Wilson has
also emerged as a leader alongside Jalen Donaldson and Dakota Chan. The latter
two are also both high-level soccer players.
“This helps,” Chris Kennedy says. “They are
used to high level competition.”
The Wildcats are on the verge of a possible
third straight city title. McMath will host the Richmond championships Feb. 5
to 7.
They’re also eying a fourth straight
appearance at the provincials in March.
“Being there the last three years builds
confidence,” Chris Kennedy says.
But clearly no one is taking anything for
granted.
“We have worked to get a very difficult
exhibition schedule this year to challenge us,” Kennedy says, hopeful it will
pay dividends.
While success on the basketball floor is
obviously a goal, far more is at play.
“We are working to support the girls to
become leaders and good citizens.”
They displayed just that Sunday by spending
the afternoon in the Downtown Eastside giving back to those less fortunate.
—The Richmond senior boys basketball
championships are Feb. 6 to 8 at Richmond High.
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