Unity Christian’s senior boys basketball team made history this month, winning the school’s first ever BC Christian Schools Athletic Association banner.
The tournament was held Jan. 9-11 at Pacific Academy in Surrey.
The Flames opened with a tough 55-41 win over Maple Ridge, ranked 10th provincially among single-A teams.
“We struggled to finish offensively but we won that game because of sound defensive play” said UC coach Matt Van Muyen.
The Flames faced ninth ranked Duncan Christian (Vancouver Island) next, earning a 57-49 win.
In the final, UC faced the host Pacific Academy Breakers, one of the best AA teams in the province, winning 50-45.
“We had a solid game plan and clearly understood what we needed to do to win the game” Van Muyen said. “Our transition eliminated their fast break and we were able to make it a half court game. Credit the guys for working hard and committing to sprinting rather than running back on defense.”
Jon Vugteveen was named a tournament all-star. Clay Driesen was named the tourney MVP.
Their team is now the third ranked single-A team in BC.
“We are improving as a team but we understand that the Fraser Valley tournament in February is going to be a battle,” Van Muyen noted.
The Flames got back to league play Tuesday, smacking Highroad Academy 101-47.