The Niverville Middle School’s Grade Eight boys basketball recently wrapped up an exceptionally successful season. Earlier this month, the team won their division championship, defeating Steinbach Middle School (Black) in the final.
Niverville’s season ended with a 13–5 record over 10 games. The league was divided into two divisions, white and blue, and Niverville Middle ended up winning the blue division.
The team was made up of players of all skill levels, including those who had never played before and those who had already played at the club level.
When asked why she thought the team did as well as they did, coach Shannon had the following response.
“The amount of talent we had was incredible,” says the team’s coach, Shannon Cameron-Boychuk. “I helped coach the team last year, so I was familiar with most of the boys. They are all in extracurricular activities outside of the basketball team.”
Cameron-Boychuk has a long history of coaching basketball, going all the way back to 1991. However, this was her first year as a head coach.
She says that she had great confidence in their ability to win going into the finals.
A key factor for the team’s success, she adds, was reiterating that every player makes their own unique contribution. It is ultimately a team game.
“We have a special needs person on our team,” says Cameron-Boychuk. “So at some of the games, if we are up, we got him the ball. That’s one of the highlights. Everybody got super excited when he got the ball and was able to score. That really brought the team together… I really loved to see that teamwork. When it all comes together for them, that’s pure joy for me.”
She has always been impressed with the parental support she sees, knowing that it extends to the players’ lives at home.
“Our school community is extremely proud of what the boys and their coach have accomplished,” says Craig Cumming, the school’s principal. “There were a few challenges during the season, but with adult support and support from one another, they persevered and were able to realize their ultimate goal, which was winning a banner that could be displayed on our gym walls for many years to come. I would like to thank Coach Shannon for her dedication and commitment to these boys. She not only wanted to help them grow as basketball players, [but] she also wanted to help them grow as individuals. And she did exactly that on both accounts.”
