Lumsden Defeats Peacock In JV Boys Action
Photos and Story by Robert Thomas
Both coaches say it’s not all about winning but the opportunity to play competitive basketball
Wednesday evening's high school boy's Junior Varsity matchup between the Lumsden Devils and Peacock Toilers was bittersweet.
For the Devils it was an opportunity to win in Moose Jaw after losing many lopsided matches in the past while part of the senior boys league.
For the Peacock Toilers JV squad it was a loss after a strong effort.
In the end though Lumsden defeated Peacock 71 - 27.
But for both coaches it was the opportunity for their respective teams to get out and shoot hoops competitively.
For Lumsden Devils head coach Drew Schenk the game was not a perfect effort by the Devils.
“I thought it was alright. It was only our second game but I think we were a little jittery in offense. We threw the ball away a little too much but the boys are starting to understand some concepts so that's OK,” Schenk said.
The Devils this year moved to Junior Varsity (JV) from the senior boys league after the Assiniboia Comprehensive High School (ACHS) asked them to make the move.
ACHS played in the JV\Junior boys league last year.
JV play is set up so smaller schools - such as Lumsden - would have the opportunity to play competitively. JV allows schools to have students from Grades Nine to Grade Twelve on the roster.
“We are Grades Eleven and Twelve so this is our senior team…we were asked if we would (move to the JV league) as we kind of took our lumps last year. To Peacock, Central and Vanier we lost by pretty big margins,” he said.
“I hadn't thought about it (moving to JV ) but we would do whatever Moose Jaw designates wanted us to do, we would do. We were just happy to be part of a league where games were relatively close.”
He said finding players was not hard whether the Devils were playing in the senior boys or JV Boys League.
“No the boys are pretty resilient. It was not a whole lot of fun to lose by the scores we were losing by last year but they stayed up. We talked about it is not the outcome of the game that's the most important thing. Work as hard as you can. Do things the right way and that's OK too.”
When asked if having the ability to play more competitively made a difference in fan support back home Schenk said he never thought of that but it would be nice.
“It would be great (to have people come out to games). It is always great to play in front of fans so we hope some more fans come out when we get some fans in Lumsden. So that would be great.”
The team is an exhibition team and will only be playing in regular season games.
For Peacock Toilers JV Boys head coach Danny Mullens the boys are just starting to come together as a team.
“Overall I saw some signs of brilliancy from our players. We are just trying to gel as a team and so there are a lot of nerves out there,” Mullens said.
On Wednesday evening the younger Toilers squad was up against an older and more experienced Devils team.
“It really shows that developmental side when you are playing against Grades Nines and Tens so I’m not trying to take anything from their play today. They played really well our kids are just learning. It is only going to get better from here,” he said.
The Peacock JV Boys team is a Grade Nine to Grade Twelve team made up of players who never made the cuts to the senior and junior boys teams but nevertheless still wanted the opportunity to play competitive basketball.
Despite the loss the Toilers were happy to get out and play. Without the JV team many would not have the opportunity to play competitively.
“We were given the opportunities that are opening doors for them to have the opportunity to continue playing.”
Peacock's student body size meant there were students who missed out playing junior boys basketball. But at the same time the Toilers were working hard to develop the player's talents.
“They had more than enough so we had spillage onto our team. Some of the players that are on our team are great athletes and it is just a matter of trying to tap into that and trying to expose that.”
Without JV older team members would end their playing careers sitting on the bench or just not playing basketball at all.
“There are some guys in Grades Eleven and Twelve that they would be sitting on the sidelines. I feel privileged and honoured to be part of this journey with them.”
JV league play allows players to not only play and socialize as a team but allows them the opportunity to be part of a sport they love. It is a team with a lot of heart.
“I just told them don’t hang your head for one second. Don’t hang your head and looking at the score but look at your progression as a player or as a team. So it is just a matter of time,” Mullens said.
He said the team will be working hard at practice to gel as a team, work on their cardio and work off some of the upcoming Christmas feasting.
