The Camosun Chargers basketball teams are entering the second half of their season with some much-needed optimism. With both teams recovering from losses against the VIU Mariners in late November, fourth-year forward David Finch believes the best is yet to come.
“We definitely feel like there’s tons of areas where we can improve,” says Finch. “But considering we had a bunch of people banged up in the first semester… and we were still able to win a bunch of games and come out ending the first semester second in the conference, I think we’re pretty satisfied with that and know that we can still be so much better.”
The men’s team got off to a rocky start this season, with a number of injuries plaguing their roster. Because of this, they’ve had to adjust their approach and become more reliant on unlikely candidates, including second-year forward Ty Bunn, who scored a career-high 24 points earlier in the season.
“I think one of the great things about our team is just all the different people we have and the personalities they bring, and how everybody’s so supportive,” says Finch. “And I can think of a few times where different guys who maybe didn’t have a consistent production role on the team have kind of chipped in and had big nights.”
The team also underwent a coaching change ahead of the season, bringing in Camosun alum Jake Wilmott to serve as interim head coach.
“Jake’s doing a fantastic job,” says Finch. “But, again, it’s just different. It’s his first time coaching a college-level team, so there’s some challenges with that as well. But he’s doing a great job, and we’re all coming along together pretty well, I think.”
The team remains focused on their goals despite the many challenges they’ve faced. With eight games left in the season, they’re hoping to capitalize on every opportunity to further establish themselves as legitimate playoff contenders.
“The goal for us, always, has been to win a championship—something the Camosun Chargers men’s basketball program has never done—so that’s going to continue to be the goal, and we all have the utmost belief that we can get the job done this season.”
The Chargers women’s basketball team has been adjusting to some new additions of their own, and while their record reflects poorly, third-year guard Jordyn Broekhuizen is confident in the team’s foundation.
“We’ve gone up against some of the best teams, had some pretty competitive games, and stayed with them,” says Broekhuizen. “So I think just seeing the potential that we have and, for next season, just being able to follow through and keep getting some good results.”
The team welcomed eight rookies this season and have been settling into an adjustment period ever since. And with the prospect of a playoff run now entirely uncertain, the team’s focus has shifted to workshopping and structure.
“We have a new team, we had a new coach coming in last year, and we have a lot of rookies. So, it’s just about putting the puzzle pieces together,” says Broekhuizen. “We’re improving every day and I think, moving forward, we just have to define our roles and continue to improve.”
With strong leadership and coaching, the players on the Chargers women’s basketball team are hoping to find success.
“I think we’re a tough team and everybody’s giving 100 percent. We’re really improving in practices, so I think just continuing with that mentality of, ‘We’re meant to be here and we’re going to succeed.’”