One time Northwest rivals, now line up as members of UVic Vikings program

Prince Rupert's Justin McChesney
one of three players from the
Northwest in a Vikes uni this year

Some pretty familiar names for Northwest basketball fans are taking to the court for the University of Victoria Vikings this season, with three of the top skilled players on the high school basketball scene now on the court in Blue and Gold.

The three include Haida Gwaii's Jesse Barnes, Smithers Trent Monkman and Prince Rupert's Justin McChesney, who has joined the UVic squad after time spent with UBC in his first year of U Sports eligibility.

During their high school years, the three were locked in fierce competition as each of their schools travelled the road to qualification for the provincial championships each spring.

Now, they take that foundation of skill forged from the Northwest to the faster and more physical game of the University level.

One well known name with connections to the North Coast may be watching with interest as the trio from the Northwest look to make their mark.

Ken Shields, the former Rainmaker who went on to a legendary career with the Vikes as head coach of the basketball program as well as a force for the National team, still makes his way to the CARSA at UVic to follow the action and report back to his old friend Mel Bishop.

To this point the only members of the Northwest trio to see significant court time are Barnes and Monkman, who have been part of the Vikes lineup through the first three games in the 2018-19 season.

The regular season opening games in Winnipeg saw Barnes on the court for both games last week for a total of 36 minutes of action, making for 16 points for the icebreakers of the year.

University of Winnipeg 93 -- UVic 84

Monkman saw action in the second game of the season with twelve minutes on the court, with six points recorded for his season debut.

UVic 75 -- University of Winnipeg 72

The Vikings were back on familiar ground last evening for their home opener, though none of the Northwest trio were put into action on the night.

UBC 89 - UVic 63

Game Two of the home opener weekend goes this evening starting at 7PM

There's a strong Northwest influence on the University of Victoria
Vikings basketball team this season

You can follow the path of the Vikings as they look towards the U Sports finals of Spring through the University of Victoria website, the full schedule for the year ahead can be review here.

While notes on the Vikings year will be updated here.

Another valuable resource for following University sports in British Columbia is Howard Tsumura's Varsity Letters project, which puts the focus on the basketball season ahead here.