The junior boys and the senior boys basketball teams at Clearwater Secondary School both could use more players, says coach Brent Buck.
The Senior Boys team is senior in name only – just four members are in Grade 11 or Grade 12. The rest are actually juniors.
That lack of depth showed itself during a home game against Kamloops Christian School on Monday, Dec. 16. KCS started off with a lead of about 10 points, then CSS came back and was briefly ahead, only to have their Kamloops opponents get the lead again.
“It was a roller-coaster ride ... a lot of ups and downs,” said Buck. The final outcome was a win for KCS.
The Raiders made use of their home court advantage, however, sinking eight three-pointers during the game.
Only one member of the Junior Boys team has much experience on the court – Josh Traub.
That experience paid off, however, during a game against South Kamloops on Tuesday, Dec. 17. The local squad won the contest with Traub scoring 27 of Clearwater's 34 points.
The game wasn't a one-man show, said Buck. The whole team played well.
“Both teams are learning fast,” the coach said. “Every time they bring the ball down the floor, I see them getting better.”
Buck said much of the credit for the improvement should go to his assistant coach, Gabe Francis.