Teams
Participating Teams in 2011
Kitsilano | York | Britannia | St. Patrick’s | Point Grey | Crofton | Prince of Wales | Notre Dame
Kitsilano Blue Demons
Kits is a Top 10 AAA team that has advanced to the Provincial AAA Championships and been the top ranked public school in Vancouver for the last six years. Last year they placed 13th in the Province. This year is no different as the team boasts one of the strongest line-ups in recent memory. Current coach Mark Dawson and former coach Ana Lalic have built another powerhouse! Led by Provincial team members Adrienne Parkin (U17) and Andrea Strujic (U16) the Blue Demons bring strong rebounding, excellent outside shooting and a no quit
attitude to their games. Look for Kits to be in the championship game! Roster >
York House Tigers
– The 2010-11 Tigers are the defending AA BC Champions and current #1 ranked AA team in BC. They have had a great start to the year with a 1st Place at the Byrne Creek Tournament, 2nd place finish at the HSBC Tournament, 1st Place at the Las Vegas Invitational. The Tigers are a young team with ten grade 11’s and three grade 10’s on their roster. They are led by BC U17 Team star Alisha Roberts and a cast of very strong grade 11’s which include Cherub Lum, Laura Baker, Mira Donaldson and Jasprit Nijjar. The Tigers look to defend their Vancouver Basketball Challenge title but will have to face several other strong Vancouver teams to do so. Roster >
Britannia Bruins
– Britannia is a Top 10 AA team that hopes to qualify this year for the AA Provincial Tournament for the first time since 1995. Brit brings youth, depth, speed and tenacious defense out of the eastside. Led by Provincial team members Karen LI (U16). Jen Carpio (U16), Jilliane Vina (U15) and Ashley Dela Cruz Yip (U15) the Bruins push the ball on offense but are more balanced this year with Becky Fernandez (6’1″) and Helen Wilson (5’10”) pulling down lots of rebounds. The Bruins are coming out of hibernation thanks to many years of excellent coaching and huge support for the players off the court by Mike Evans and his coaching staff. Roster >
St. Patrick’s Celtics
While St. Pat’s is well known as a volleyball powerhouse, this year’s Celtics will turn some head son the basketball court as well. This fast, athletic group have been strong basketball players all the way through the younger levels. Now as Sr.’s, the Celtics look to make some noise in the Lower Mainland and will be one ofthe AA teams competing for a berth to the 2011 AA BC’s. Their first round match up with Pt. Grey may be the game to watch in round 1. This is a quick, tenacious team that if healthy, will surprise. Roster >
Point Grey Greyhounds
Point Grey consistently advances from the Vancouver zone almost every year to the Lower Mainland AAA Provincial qualifying tournament. The Greyhounds have, in recent years, come soooooo close to making the Provincial Tournament. Could this be the year as the team brings depth, excellent team defense and great coaching by Peter Brion to the “dance”? Point Grey comes to the TELUS Challenge primed to pull an upset as they are known to peak for big games. The team roster is filled with players who have enjoyed great success in their younger years and seem ready to make a bold move! Roster >
Crofton House School
Crofton House Sr. Basketball Team have had solid successesthe past few years with back to back trips to the AA BC’s in 2008 and 2009. This is a well coached team that always competes. They will struggle with thespeed and pressure of Britannia in round one but will always compete and find away to battle with teams if they can limit turnovers and play their alwayssolid half court defense. Roster >
Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales is definitely on the rise! PW made a strong push at the end of last season and was the “Cinderella” team in the Vancouver play-offs. They rebound well, play strong, aggressive defense and come to play every night. Look for the black and gold to be in every game as they build on their two years of success in the younger Vancouver leagues. PW doesn’t turn the ball over so teams need to be ready or there will be upsets in the making! Roster >
Notre Dame Jugglers
This will be Notre Dame’s first time in the Vancouver Basketball Challenge. As the 4 seed on the independent side, they will be in very tough in their first round game vs Kits. Notre Dame will get some good experience at this event. They are led by Provincial Team player Vanessa Pizzolon. Roster >
