SPORTS & RECREATIONNCI Succeeds on the Basketball Court

The basketball season is well underway at NCI. The serving, volleying, bumping, and spiking of the volleyball court have been traded in for the passing, shooting, layups, and foul shots of the basketball court.

This year, NCI boasts a total of nine teams (up from eight last year, and seven the year before) ranging from Grade 7’s and 8’s to Junior Varsity (JV) and Varsity. For the first time in five years, there is a Varsity Girls team. A total of 97 students are playing this year.

As of February 15, one JV Boys team and the Varsity Boys are ranked first and second respectively in the province and are expected to go on to represent the district at Provincials, to be held in mid-March.

The Grade 7 and 8 teams have had some good success this season as well. The talent on these teams bodes well for the future of the basketball program at NCI.

The Grade 5 and 6 students also have an opportunity to try out the sport in the sports clubs held twice a week (once for the girls and once for the boys). During these sessions, the students are able to practice their skills and play developmental games that give them a taste for the sport.

Of course, there would be no program without the players. They go onto the court and give it their all each and every time. They come to the gym in the morning, at breaks, and after school to sneak in a few more baskets and participate in intramural games. They look at available slots and ask their coaches to schedule another practice and give up their evenings, and some weekends. They represent NCI well as good citizens.

I would be remiss not to recognize and thank the coaches of all these teams. Many community and staff members give of their time and talent to give to the NCI community. We would not see such great success without them.

One final note of thanks goes out to the Niverville Elementary School. Because they allow the NCI sports programs to use their gym space, all the after-school practices can run without anyone having to stay up until midnight.