When the last bead of sweat had been wiped from a brow and the newly crowned champions hugged in celebration, the two finalists came together to mark a well-played final.
The second annual Burnaby-New Westminster senior high school final concluded Sunday with a 9-6 Burnaby North Vikings victory, claiming the crown with a well-played effort over last year’s victor Burnaby Mountain.
A rematch of last year’s final, the showdown put skill and passion on display, said Burnaby Mountain coach Danie Proby.
“It was quite close for most of the game, but (Burnaby North) pulled away. Last year they were heavily favoured and the team to beat and we kind of came together and surprised them.
“We couldn’t do it a second straight year.”
Proby, who also coached the inaugural Moscrop program, said the whole tournament was a success, with every team getting a chance to shine.
“In the end (Burnaby Mountain players) were quite sad, it was an emotional loss,” she said. “But we joined with Burnaby North and celebrated the game as one group.”
Picking up the Spirit Award was Moscrop.
The spirit of the game remained integral to all those involved, Proby said.
"What I really want to stress about this weekend is how these players embody something that is called 'spirit of the game.' It is extremely humbling to see these athletes work so hard over the season and want something so badly, and regardless of the outcome, they hold their opponents, their teammates, and themselves to the highest standards of sportsmanship and integrity.”
It capped a sweep for the Vikings, who also won the junior title on Saturday, topping first-year Moscrop 12-5 in the final.
Big underdogs entering the tournament, Moscrop’s junior lineup rose up the ranks and advanced to the final by upsetting Burnaby Mountain with a one-point win.
“It was crazy,” said Proby of the team’s surprising but well-deserved success. “When the season started I kind of forced them to play Tier 1 because I was already coaching in that division and it meant they had to learn against the best.
“They were kind of crushed all season long but came together in this tournament.”
The junior tourney also saw an all-star team formed for the final day from players chosen after the opening round.
Burnaby Mountain picked up the junior Spirit Award.
