No Victories, but lots of experience for returning Rainmakers as Provincials wrap up

The Charles Hays Rainmakers put the wraps on their basketball season this past week with a tough slate of four games that put them to the test, with some of the competition that of some strong provincial competitors.

As we noted last week, the hopes for a Provincial title were dashed early with a Day One loss on Wednesday to North Vancouver's St. Thomas Aquinas.  

The powerful Lower Mainland team sending the Rainmakers to the B side of the event following a 69-40 victory by the Saints.

Thursday's Day Two Play found the Rainmakers taking on Surrey's Southridge, Game Two saw the Lower Mainland team take the win 69-52, though the Charles Hays side made progress in cutting the margin of that victory down from the Day One play.

Friday as things would turn out became the final day of play for the Rainmakers.

They began the day with a morning contest against Archbishop Carney Secondary, a competitive game that was back and forth and saw the Rainmakers close to securing their first victory of the tournament. 

However the Port Coquitlam side held on to secure their win by a score of 60-55.

That loss set the stage for the Rainmakers final match at Provincials on Friday evening, an all Northern showdown between the Charles Hays squad and Vanderhoof's Nechako Valley.

Like the morning game it was a highly competitive showcase, with both teams pushing hard to secure their first win of the Tournament.

At full time, for this time around that victory wen to the Nechako side by a score of 57-52.

That put Nechako as fifteenth place finishers, the Rainmakers at 16th place.

The Rainmakers at the end of their final game at Provincials
(Image from TFSE TV)

The AA 2023 tournament champions were from Surrey's King George  took their victory in the Tournament finale with a convincing 63-33 victory over Brentwood.

You can review all of the Game Sheets from the Rainmaker's tournament experience here.

While surely a bit of a disappointment for  the graduating members of the team, the tournament experience will be of great value for those returning to the program, as Makers' coaches Ryan Bishop and Ben Mark chart their course for another trip to Provincials come the Spring of 2024.

From the other Divisions with Northwest representation, Terrace's Caledonia wrapped up their AAA Division tournament time with a 1-3 record.

The Kermodes posting a 14th place finish for 2023.

You can review the Caledonia game sheets here.

In Double AA tournament play, Haida Gwaii's Gidgalang Kuuyas Naay had the best success of the four days of Provincials. 

Gidgalang Kuuyas Naay at the end of their final game at Provincials
(Image from TFSE TV)

The Haida Gwaii team wrapping their experience up with a 2-2 record and a ninth place finish in their Division.

The Haida Gwaii game sheets can be reviewed here.

A good resource for a full overview of all four Divisions of the Boys Provincials in Langley can be found from Varsity Letters, the excellent source of High school and University sports in BC. 

A wider overview of past notes on the Charles Hays' season can be explored through our archive page.