Welcoming the Winter Sports Season
Photo Credit: Tony Chow
As the fall sports season came to a close, winter sports teams are warm and ready for the months ahead. Players, managers, and coaches are preparing for tournaments, league games, and city championships, and they are all excited to see what they can accomplish this season.
“The wrestling team has gained many more skilled grade eights and people with past grappling experience,” said Deion Kahlon (12), a returning member. Wrestling is also one of Hamber’s few individualized sports, and independent goals are a big aspect of the sport. “I want to qualify for provincials and place first in at least one tournament during the season.”
On Dec. 14, Kahlon beat his goal, winning his first ever gold medal at the SFU War on the Floor tournament after beating four opponents by first round pin.
“It was nice being rewarded for all the work I put in,” said Kahlon, who has trained almost every day since February and spent six hours in a sauna the day of the tournament to make weight. “It was worth it.”
For 13 years, Hamber athletics has hosted its major sporting event: Midtown Showdown. A basketball tournament spanning the length of three days, the event is the highlight of the winter sports season for both players and fans.
“The environment of Midtown in a new school is definitely something I’m looking forward to,” said Senior Girls Basketball player Adaly Hoy (11). “Just seeing how it works, because it’s going to be bigger with the [addition of the] small gym… it’s also the first Midtown I’m playing in.”
The Senior Boys are also looking forward to showcasing their skills at Midtown. A key aspect to their success is their teamwork and cohesion. “We've got great chemistry,” said Oliver Seid (11). “We definitely feel like a real team.” As teams seek to improve throughout the season, one goal for the Senior Boys is “keeping morale up when things go bad,” Seid explained.
The junior, juvenile, and bantam teams all have tournaments of their own, like the Blue and Maroon Classic, and the Nora Mcdermott tournament. The Bantam Girls “are doing well and have a lot of potential for the upcoming season,” according to Kristin Poon (11), a Senior Girls basketball player and the Bantam Girls’ coach. “It’s a learning experience for us being first time coaches, but I definitely enjoy it and hope to continue doing it.”
The Juvenile Boys Basketball team is off to a great start, having won every game so far, even beating last year’s city champions, Magee. “They were leading the score after every quarter, but in the fourth we pulled away and won 80–72,” said team captain Kohen Lee Lennox (9). The team also beat their rival, Churchill. “We have lots of friends that go there […] they also have a good team, which is good for us,” said Lee Lennox, who is always looking to improve.
The Junior Girls team’s most difficult game was against New West. “They are a really athletic team with a lot of club players,” commented Lainey Layag (9). “In that game, we got beat by a lot, but it was the first game of the season. After that game though we learned a lot of new stuff and had better team chemistry.”
For now, Hamber’s basketball teams continue to focus on their regular season games. For many players, school sports are about more than just winning; they’re about teamwork and bonding. “We’re very supportive of each other,” remarked Hoy. “Our greatest strength is hyping each other up.”
Each player’s individual effort has also helped lead their team to achieve the results they want. “I put a lot of pressure on myself coming into this season,” said Lee Lennox. “I also want to perform at the highest level.”
This year, Hamber’s Girls Ice Hockey team is ready to hit the rink once again, with a team consisting of both experienced players and students brand new to the sport. “A weakness might be our team bond, as we aren’t an extremely tight group yet,” explained hockey player Mikayla Chan (10). However, the team hopes to overcome this during the season, through hardwork and dedication. “A strength [is] everyone’s individual effort. [Both] the girls new to playing hockey and the girls who have played are always trying to improve,” said Chan.
With a later start to the season, there’s lots of anticipation among players. “I’m looking most forward to the upcoming games in January, and seeing the team play,” said Chan. Last year, the team placed fifth overall at city championships, ending their season with a 6–1 win over Tupper. They hope to maintain their streak with another top-five finish.