Gravelbourg’s Season Ends - Happy To Be Back
Their season is now officially over, they didn’t end up with a championship, but for the re-born Gravelbourg Hawks JV boys basketball team it’s been a good run.
The Hawks are one of three combined teams in the Moose Jaw city basketball league. The Hawks players come from Conseils des écoles franskasois and Ecole Gravelbourg School.
The uniqueness of the Hawks is approximately half of the team are from Burundi and they are in Gravelbourg to learn English.
With waning enrolment numbers they are just what the doctor ordered to let Gravelbourg have a team at all.
INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN OUT DURING A TIMEOUT LATE IN THE GAME
“I’m very pleased,” Jeff Jacobs Gravelbourg’s head coach said about the Hawks season. “We have all grown even the coaches.”
The Hawks had be no shows for the past few years and rejoined the Moose Jaw league in the 2023 - 2024 campaign.
“We didn’t know what to expect going into it but we are very pleased. Basically two playoff wins in the league and here so we are very happy about it.”
HAWKS BEN RATZLOFF GOES FOR A JUMP SHOT
Jacobs said this year’s successes and what the team learnt when they came up short gives the Hawks a solid foundation for the 2024 - 2025 season.
“It gives us something to work for next year. “
There is good a bad news when it comes to the team’s makeup next season.
The bad news is four of the players from Burundi graduate this year but there are replacements waiting in the wings.
“There are a few more (from Burundi) waiting in the wings to join us and they are in Gravelbourg right now,” he said.
HAWKS’ ADAMA ZOUNDI (CENTER) BLOCKS A REBELS PLAYER. ZOUNDI HAS HAD A GREAT SEASON FOR THE HAWKS
“I think they have been bitten by the basketball bug.”
Other players are expected to return next year as the core of the Hawks bench is in grade eleven.
“Actually all of our starters are in grade 11 and can play next year,” he said.
Jacobs said personnel wise it gives the Hawks something to build on next season.
“We will be back next year.”
MAPLE CREEK REBELS’ AYDAN BUSS (LEFT) IS WATCHED CLOSELY BY GRAVELBOURG HAWKS’ HAVYN CHEVRIER
As far as fan support goes Gravelbourg’s gym has been close to being full as the Burundi players friends have been out cheering on the Hawks.
“We’re very happy with the turnout.”
MANNY PAGAN TAKES A PASS IN CLOSE
AT CONFERENCES
At Conference play Gravelbourg defeated Shaunavon 65 - 62 on Friday evening.
On Saturday morning the Hawks found themselves up against the powerful first seed the Maple Creek Rebels.
The Hawks fell 65 - 51 and were eliminated from further play. Their season coming to a close.
Asked about the loss Jacobs was philosophical.
“Maple Creek was the top seed so they were a tough team. And they were a big physical team,” he said.
“The thing is we didn’t know what to expect. I saw them at Coronach but never played them. So we didn’t know how to game plan them.”
The scoresheet Hawks versus Rebels
HEADING FOR A SHOT
Hawks’ Gian Magdarog (right) defends against the Rebels Quinton Hoyter