It appears Burnaby is at the epicentre of something big.
For a second straight week, a different local team has drawn the crosshairs of B.C. senior boys basketball pundits and been thrust into the No. 1 spotlight – and for the Byrne Creek Bulldogs, it’s a first-time occurrence.
The secret to getting noticed isn’t a mystery, either.
“You put together a good week of games and it affects the rankings,” remarked Byrne Creek coach Bal Dhillon.
Last week, when Burnaby South emerged as the No. 1-ranked team in AAAA, Byrne Creek was listed tied for eighth in the AAA boys poll put forth by B.C. High School Boys Basketball. Being just a few weeks into the season, volatility in the rankings isn’t unusual – it’s expected. Either case, Burnaby’s latest top team will focus on doing what got them the attention in the first place.
At the Tsumura Basketball Invitational in Langley, the Bulldogs shook off an opening 88-82 loss to Walnut Grove – ranked No. 5 in AAAA – and peeled off three straight wins to place ninth overall.
In topping R.A. McMath 109-62, who at the time were slotted No. 2 among AAA schools, the challengers capped a forceful run and earned the earmark of being No. 1, for at least a week.
“It was a good week for us,” said Dhillon. “We lost a close game to Walnut Grove (88-82) and had three good games against ranked opponents. … Basketball is a pretty simple game, and it doesn’t change all that much. If you work hard, play smart and come together as a team, you’re likely going to win your share of games.”
The roll began with a 65-58 victory over No. 5 North Delta, where Grade 11 guard Bithow Wan cashed in 20 points and Martin Djunga 19, followed by a 73-51 decision over a banged-up No. 4 South Kamloops.
Taking a closer look at the loss, momentum swings took their toll as Byrne Creek erased a 15-point deficit with a huge run, only to witness the Gators go 15-0 in the fourth quarter to gain the upper hand.
“Successful teams work together and play smart basketball,” Dhillon added. “We are capable, when we do that, of beating anybody in the province.”
The 3-1 record was the inverse of the previous week at Heritage Woods, where losses to St. George’s (92-84), Kitsilano (63-59) and Vancouver College (94-85) were countered by a 78-69 win over Kelowna. Besides the fact that each loss was to an AAAA-ranked team, they were also fairly tight contests where Byrne Creek had its moments in the sun.
“We didn’t do so well, at least result-wise, at the Heritage Woods tournament. Every game for us was a unique challenge.”
Already 3-0 in Burnaby-New West league action, with decisions over Burnaby North, Cariboo Hill and Moscrop, the squad will break for the holidays after next weekend’s Rick Hansen tournament.
Then they’ll come together and kick it up at St. Thomas More’s Chancellor tournament in the first week back at school in January.
“I think the holidays are a dangerous time,” said Dhillon. “You’ve got to keep your head together and get back on the horse and keep the train moving.
“When you’re away from the routine and come back for that first tournament, if the holiday wasn’t a good time then you’re going to tank.”
Dhillon hasn’t set a target goal this year, preferring to let the players play without extra pressure. The boys themselves know what they want and know what they need to bring to get there, he said.
Finishing fourth last year at the B.C.s does set up a benchmark of where they could build upon, though.
Blessed with talented players like Majok Deng, Sufi Ahmed, Djunga and Wan – and solid contributors like Daniel Cion and Titgol Jok – the Bulldogs present a well-rounded roster for any challenge.
Coming from a part of Burnaby where working-class and newer Canadians, many as refugee immigrants, settle, Byrne Creek reflects its neighbourhood well. Character,
determination and resourcefulness in the face of tough odds are part of the glue that binds this basketball team together.
“It’s a bit of a motley crew as it usually is, and I put myself in that mix as well,” said the coach. “There’s a toughness and a grit factor that reflects where they come from. At the heart of it is the community.”
And they carry that with pride.
“For us, it’s about process and just playing hard every day,” said Dhillon. “I don’t put a number on (our) expectations. If we do the work, everything else will take care of itself.”
