Banner-hungry Spartans set for BSSI

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This article was published 11/12/2024 (280 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

For a team that’s had recent success, the Neelin Spartans can’t wait to hit the hard court with the hopes of hanging another banner on the wall.

Just in a different sport.

Less that two weeks removed from capturing the Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association AAA volleyball provincial championship, the goal will be to win one in basketball.

And it starts today here in Brandon at all three high schools and the Brandon University Healthy Living Centre with the 20th annual Brandon Sun Spartan Invitational.

For a core group of Grade 12 seniors, all but one of whom played volleyball, the pressure to switch sports quickly is a challenge but a welcome one.

“It’s gonna be hard, but it will be lots of practice and trying to get into the basketball mindset and not the volleyball mode of jumping every time and having to put the ball away, but putting the ball in the hoop now,” said Kal-El Wilson.

The recent University of Winnipeg volleyball commit was quick to reflect on the how fast four years can fly by, but noted the reliance on each other is what motivates them.

“We’ve been a group since Grade 9 and we’ve only been going up in terms of skill and our connections with each other … we have a good brotherhood going on, so that would be a good way to end it,” Wilson said.

“Volleyball went great and hopefully with basketball we can put in the same work we did for volleyball and hopefully put another banner up on the wall.”

Thirty-two teams are in the BSSI field again this year, with 16 in the Victoria Inn Division (Tier 1) and 16 in the Source for Sports Division (Tier 2).

New to the tournament this year is the Elam scoring system, popularized recently by the Canadian Elite Basketball League, which sees exciting finishes and ends the game on a made basket, rather than winding the clock down.

At the first stoppage with less than four minutes left in the fourth quarter, the leading team’s score plus nine points becomes the target score. The first team to hit the target score wins, rather than the leading team winning when the final buzzer sounds at the end of regulation.

It leads to exciting finishes and increasingly meaningful possessions as the game wears on.

The added excitement of a new format combined with the comfort of playing on homecourt helps segue into what will be another hard-fought season.

“For me, playing at home really cuts down the nerves and makes it easier to ease into the season and get used to playing in a competitive atmosphere,” said senior guard Kwali Taylor.

The Spartans had a fourth place finish at last year’s season-opening BSSI, a mark the squad looks to improve on this year.

After a six-point upset loss to open last year’s provincial championships, the Spartans captured the consolation championship, but a fifth-place finish isn’t of interest for this year.

“It would mean everything. We’ve been working hard, we’ve been going to some AAAA tournaments to up our level and because T (Neelin athletic director Don Thomson) believes in us,” said Ethan Olson.

“We play every sport together, we hang out outside of school, we’re never not hanging out. We got that chemistry whether it’s sports or anything else. I love Neelin. I wouldn’t have gone anywhere else.”

For a group that learned under a pair of stellar seniors in Max Winters and Jeremy Slomiany in their Grade 10 year and star guard Felip Elizalde last year, the opportunity to rise to the occasion as a group rather than relying on one or two players is what’s pushing them this season.

“It’s our last chance to show out but it’s not the last games of the season so we’re going to try and come out strong and do what we can. But we’re still getting into the basketball after volleyball season, so we’re just going to try to do what we do as Spartans,” said Taylor.

“I mean you always want to try to win, and that’s what we’re aiming for. As long as we’re fighting, putting in the effort, I think that’s a successful season.”

“The best part is our cohesiveness,” Taylor added. “Our ability to run plays together and communicate. Maturity, team work, communication, effort. I trust these guys.”

The Spartans are in Tier 2, in a pool with Virden Collegiate, Portage Collegiate and Frontier Mosakahiken.

The Vincent Massey Vikings have a very challenging Tier 1 pool, facing off against AAAA Winnipeg schools Oak Park and Miles Macdonell as well as Regina’s Riffel Catholic High School, coached by Neelin alum Steve Shields.

Crocus Plains, also Tier 1, draws Sisler, College Jeanne-Sauve, and Selkirk.

All teams play one today and twice on Friday. They move into a playoff bracket with the other three teams with the same finish in their respective pools to play semifinals and a final or consolation final on Saturday.

The Tier 2 championship final is at Neeelin at 5:10 p.m., followed by the Tier 1 title game at 7 o’clock.

The full tournament draw and results are available on the MHSAA website and all games will be streamed online on the Red River Streams YouTube page.

» mpackwood@brandonsun.com