The journey each year for most sports teams has its ups and downs, but few Canadian high school basketball teams could say their pre-season preparation was guided by a state funeral.
The Cariboo Hill senior girls Chargers are prepping for next week’s league playoffs and a Double-A qualifier down the road. It’s unlikely anything could rattle this group after a November trip to Cuba gave them a glimpse of life’s bigger picture.
The pre-season trip – which began with the players doing a lot of fundraising – landed them in the midst of an international story, with the death of Cuban president Fidel Castro happening on their first day on the island.
Participating in some training with the Cuban national coaching program, Cariboo Hill also took part in some humanitarian volunteering, as well as sightseeing. But the eight-day trip was also in the middle of the nation’s nine-day of national mourning.
“The girls stood in Revolution Square the day of the funeral procession, witness to the silent mourning of a nation in grief,” recalled Chargers coach Wendi Palmer. “To say that this experience was surreal would be an understatement. The team showed the utmost respect and reverence throughout our tour, despite the major itinerary changes due to the national mourning restrictions.”
Through their stay, they expressed the appropriate interest and respect for the people of Cuba, and demonstrated traits of generosity, kindness, humour and compassion, Palmer noted.
Grade 12 post MacKenzie Smith said while unplanned events may have altered their schedule, the intention of the trip was fulfilled in many ways.
“I hoped that as a team we would bond over experiencing a new level of basketball as well as being in another country and experiencing their culture together,” said Smith.
Palmer said the players took many items – clothes, shoes and basketballs – to give away on the trip, and many personal items were handed to members of the host Cuban team, making for a lighter suitcase coming home.
Once into the grind of the regular season, the Chargers gave a spirited effort in the opener only to fall 45-44 to Burnaby South. While they rebounded to beat Burnaby North 63-33, three straight losses demonstrated the difficulties involved in finding consistency and a winning streak.
It all turned around a week ago when Cariboo Hill powered past Moscrop 72-63 in overtime. Smith set the tone with 32 points and 16 defensive rebounds, while Grade 11 forward Dalia Ananga counted a career-best 21 points and 11 boards. Also registering a double-double was senior guard Britney Arujuno-Okafor, who tallied 10 points and 10 rebounds.
It was followed with Monday’s regular season-ending 62-26 win over Alpha, with Smith cashing in 18 points, Ananga a dozen and Courtney Cameron with 10.
The Chargers head into next week’s Burnaby-New West league playoffs as the No. 4 seed, squaring off against No. 5 Moscrop in Monday’s quarter-finals.
“Placing fourth overall in our league is a big credit to the heart of the team, and to the hard work and commitment they’ve shown over the years,” said Palmer.
While they focus on next week’s playoffs, a date on Feb. 14 in a AA Lower Mainland playoff qualifier looms close.
Ananga said the recent string of successes is a result of being focused and united.
“Us wanting it more than the other teams (is the difference). We fight hard for every possession and show lots of determination,” said Ananga.
Through the journeys shared over the past years, the team has grown incredibly tight, remarked Smith.
“Just being a family to each other,” she said of the squad. “The support is unreal, and I know I will always have a place to go when I need to feel safe.”
Palmer points to the coming playoff games and feels the team is in a good spot.
“I like our chances in both playoff routes, as our girls are peaking at just the right time of year,” said Palmer.
