After a hard-fought tournament, the Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School Eagles came second in Zones.
The Eagles lost to the Nechako Valley Viking in a tough 79-28 game on Saturday, Feb. 24. Eagles head coach Andrew Steeves said even though they lost, taking second place is a huge progression for the team.
“It was a hard-fought weekend of games. We lost our first game to Nechako by 23 and then we clawed out way back in and won by three against Shas Ti Kelly Road Secondary School and by four against D.P. Todd Secondary School to make it to the finals,” Steeves remarked. “Saturday was not our best game by any stretch of the imagination but the Nechako Valley team is really good. They have a long storied program of winning the Double A Zone and representing the North Central Zone on the Coast.”
Steeves said that last year PSO finished third at Zones and all he can ask as a coach is that players work hard and progress. Every year he’s brought the team to zones they have improved rising from fourth place to second place, which is encouraging.
Even more encouraging was the number of fans who came out to cheer the team on throughout the tournament, Steeves remarked. Dozens of high schoolers, parents and former basketball team members crowded the stands cheering the Eagles on with an eagle mascot leading them in cheers.
“I think it speaks to just how great the community of 100 Mile is but also to the growth of basketball in the community. Not only are there more kids playing but there are more adults and fans interested in coming out and supporting the team,” Steeves said. ‘This is the first time PSO has hosted Zones, so it’s good to show we can host a really good weekend of basketball.”
PSO Eagle and Grade 12 student Israel McLelland left it all on the court in his final high school game, earning two Heart and Hustle medals for his effort. McLelland said he played through an ankle injury he received at his last tournament and did his best to put some points on the board.
“Compared to the last two years we did amazing. The first year I was in high school we were blown out every single game, last year we got third place and this year second. Next year, you know (first place) is coming,” McLelland remarked. “One day we’re going to beat (Nechako).”
Over the years McLelland described how the Eagles have become a “threaded team” with each player thinking the same during games. That cohesion is what has led to their success on the court in his eyes.
McLelland’s teammate and fellow 2024 grad Leo Kozier agreed that the Eagles had a good tournament, final results notwithstanding. He’s also happy with how far the team has come over the last several years.
“We’ve come together as a friend group and the relationships we’ve built can continue on after the basketball season,” Kozier remarked. “Seeing the improvement is really encouraging. We work hard every Tuesday and Thursday at practice so it’s nice to see that translate to the games.”
Kozier took the opportunity to praise the effort of Steeves and his fellow coaches Willy Hollet and TJ Grabowiecki. He said they’ve never given up on the team, so the fact they’re now regularly winning games is a positive experience.
“I’ve really felt they’ve taken me under their wing and developed me as a basketball player. The hard work they’ve taught me in practice can be implemented throughout the rest of my life and that’s something all the players can carry with them,” Kozier said.
At the end of the tournament, several of PSO’s players were recognized with awards for their performance. Everett Hollett was named the defensive MVP of the tournament, while Ahmed Omer and Kozier were named as All-Stars.
“That’s a pretty exciting development for our program, to have these guys that are being recognized as some of the best players at the tournament,” Steeves said.
Outside of maybe one final exhibition game against the Lake City Secondary School Falcons, Steeves said the high school basketball season is wrapping up. He’ll now be refocusing on the South Cariboo Basketball Association Wolves team, which many Eagles are a part of, to keep the momentum going into next season.
“Hopes and dreams next year would be to be back in the finals again and put up a more competitive effort in it. We’re only graduating three players this year so we’ve got a lot of guys returning, we got some solid players coming up in the junior team, so I’d like to see us back in this game next year.”
