There are only three Lower Mainland berths available when it comes to the senior boys’ Quad-A B.C.s, so as the saying goes, 'Space is limited.'
It means the survivors who win out in the upcoming playoffs will enter through the front door of the Langley Events Centre next month having ran the gauntlet.
Despite not getting a sniff during the year from those creating the provincial rankings, the Burnaby South Rebels feel they are in the hunt for a berth.
As they should with a lineup loaded with skill and grit, said assistant coach David Smith.
“We feel pretty good,” said Smith, on the heels of last week’s 77-73 triumph over archrival Byrne Creek. “This year we’re flying under the radar and no one is expecting big things from us. And that’s fine with us.”
In past years, the squad has been a regular staple in the Top-10 season rankings, including stints at No. 1 en route to finishing fifth at the B.C.s the past two seasons. The graduation of Jermaine Haley, now at New Mexico State, plus a roster thinned to just three Grade 12s, has removed the spotlight.
But those returnees are making an impact.
Saeed Habib and Steven Oropel, guards who lead by example, are helping lay the foundation, said Smith.
“(Habib) is an incredible leader and one of the best we’ve had in my 20 years,” he noted. “(Oropel) didn’t get a lot of playing time last year but he brings experience to the floor from having watched and learned.”
The squad has seven Grade 11s itching to make a name for themselves, with memories of an 0-6 year back in juvenile still a motivator.
The squad’s lone Grade 10, Jusef Sehic, was part of the Rebels’ provincial championship on the Grade 9 circuit a year ago. He brings a 6-foot-6 frame and plenty of heart, said Smith.
With the win over Byrne Creek, the Rebels locked up first place in the Burnaby-New West league at a perfect 5-0, with today’s tilt against New Westminster not able to affect that title.
True, the Rebels haven’t had much luck against ranked competition — but it isn’t that they haven’t put in the time.
Against No. 7 rated Yale on Saturday, Burnaby South trailed throughout but kept it close until the later stages in an 80-58 loss.
In the third quarter they scratched to within five points but the Fraser Valley club stretched it out over the final 10 minutes.
“We took a lump over that but we were competitive for the most part,” noted Smith, who assists second-year head coach Mike Bell.
Earlier in the season, they edged current No. 6-rated Panorama Ridge 66-63, and were squeezed out by honourable mention W.J. Mouat 75-68 in a close battle.
There is more to do, but Smith said the squad has taken major steps over the past six weeks.
Still, the focus is on working diligently to earn its spot at the next stage and with playoffs next week, it all depends on the end results.
“It’s hard for me to predict,” said Smith, who has coached for 20 years at the school. “I see us challenging for one of the spots if we show up and play hard.
“The teams that keep plugging away when things get tough are the ones that go through.”
The Burnaby-New West league playoffs start next Tuesday at Burnaby South.
