Royals embark on new season with island set
After a heartbreaking loss in the PACWEST Championship Gold medal game to end last season, the men’s basketball program is looking forward to clearing the slate and beginning a new journey to national gold.
After a heartbreaking loss in the PACWEST Championship Gold medal game to end last season, the men's basketball program is looking forward to clearing the slate and beginning a new journey to national gold.
The Royals return roughly half of last year's squad. PACWEST 1st Team All-Star Courtney Anderson, PACWEST All-Rookie team Dylan Kinley, Josiah Mastandrea, Shane Toporowski, Ben Rabel, Taylor Smith, and Kobe McKnight all return in a Royals uniform, another year wiser and stronger.
Making a return appearance after a year's hiatus is former 2018 CCAA Championship All-Star, Reese Morris who has made this a family affair by bringing younger brother, and former UBC guard, Cameron Morris into the fold.
Adding to the experience and talent is a rookie core that has shown some grit in pre-season play. Burnaby South Secondary standouts, Jiordano Khan and Aidan Wilson are joined by Gudluak Moses from James Fowler High School in Alberta to round out the roster.
Throw in a Christmas addition of a 6'10" dominant inside force, Bollo Gnahore in the second semester and the picture is incredibly bright for the roundball Royals.
"[We feel] very strongly that this can be a team that gets back to the CCAA National tournament, and competes for a PACWEST and CCAA crown" said reigning PACWEST Coach of the Year, Joe Enevoldson.
The Royals open the season on the road with a grudge match against the VIU Mariners Friday night and follow up Saturday with a tilt against the Camosun Chargers. The home opener is a
Notables
VIU opened the CCAA season as the #1 ranked team in the country. Douglas holds the #6 spot.
Watch the games live here: https://sportscanada.tv/pacwest/
