Thursday, March 5 and Friday, March 6
Kyle Wolfe, contributing writer
The Camosun Chargers men’s and women’s basketball teams experienced mixed results in their PACWEST championship games, held from Thursday, March 5 to Saturday, March 7, with the women’s team falling to the Capilano Blues and the men’s team securing victory over the Okanagan Coyotes, earning a spot in the championship game.
On March 5, the women’s game began with strong energy from Camosun, as the Chargers won the opening tip and wasted no time setting the tone with offence. Brooklyn Walbaum (6) led the charge, sinking two three-pointers within the first two minutes of play and helping Camosun control their early momentum.
Despite the promising start, the Chargers struggled to capitalize on many of their scoring opportunities. Several missed layups throughout the opening quarters prevented Camosun from extending their early momentum. Capilano took advantage of those missed chances, gradually building steam and closing the first quarter ahead 20-14.
Through the first half, Camosun’s offence and defence both showed promise, with strong play on both ends of the court. The team consistently created openings and got the ball to the net, but finishing plays remained a persistent challenge. Meanwhile, Capilano found success at the free-throw line, managing significantly more of their attempts and steadily adding to their lead.
By the middle of the third quarter, the Chargers appeared to lose some confidence as their shot attempts decreased, and the Blues tightened their control of the game. The Chargers were dealt with another setback late in the third quarter when Kanda Diop (23) hit five fouls and ultimately fouled out, further thinning the rotation.
Capilano’s sideline presence also appeared to play a role in maintaining their team’s momentum. The Blues showed strong engagement from their benched teammates and coaches throughout the game. In contrast, Camosun’s bench energy appeared more subdued.
By the final buzzer, the Blues had secured a 63-41 victory over the Chargers.
The Chargers men’s team, however, delivered a strong performance against the Okanagan Coyotes on March 6, showing why they were entering the 2026 PACWEST basketball championship as the number-one ranked team.
The Chargers set the tone early, winning the opening toss and quickly capitalizing on their first possession. Rookie Thomas Beames (23) opened the scoring with the first basket of the game and followed it up with points from the free-throw line, giving the Chargers an early boost.
The Coyotes struggled to find their rhythm in the opening minutes and didn’t land their first basket until nearly halfway through the first quarter. Meanwhile, Camosun’s defence proved relentless, forcing turnovers and quickly regaining possession. By the end of the first quarter, the Chargers held a 15–9 lead while committing just two fouls.
Camosun continued to build their advantage in the second quarter, pushing the pace offensively while maintaining their defence. Their efficient scoring run widened the gap, and by halftime the Chargers had extended their lead.
The third quarter began at a slower pace, with both teams tightening their defensive efforts. Jakob Neufeld (7) and David Featherston (9) accumulated several fouls during the quarter, which briefly disrupted the Chargers’ momentum. The Coyotes took advantage by ramping up their defensive intensity and closing the score gap, leaving the Chargers barely managing to hold onto a 10-point difference throughout.
In the fourth quarter, however, the Chargers regained full control of the game. They rebuilt their lead, and when the final buzzer sounded, the Chargers had secured a 74–53 win over the Coyotes.
Saturday, March 7
Mika Turquie, contributing writer
Saturday, March 7; the PACWEST championship match. With less than a minute left, the Camosun Chargers men’s basketball team were trailing 70-75 against the VIU Mariners. Everyone on the bleachers at PISE was on their feet, vibrating with nerves. VIU’s Winston Cole (3) had just sunk his third basket in a row, silencing the energetic home crowd. But the Chargers remained composed. Thomas Beames (23) closed the gap, making it 72-75, before sprinting back across the court to block Cole in a sequence defined by grit. Moments later, David Finch (4) danced through the anxious VIU defence, drawing a foul while getting a layup; this heroic play sent the crowd into a frenzy; after his free throw, the game was tied.
Ball for VIU with 38 seconds left and the PACWEST gold medal on the line. The ball makes its way to Keyonte Beals (23), the night’s primary antagonist, who had haunted the Chargers all night, going four for seven from the three-point line. However, under the pressure of the “defence!” chants from the home crowd, he missed his shot. The Chargers valiantly fought for a point but, heartbreakingly, lost the ball in the paint with seconds remaining. The ball found VIU’s Kai Leighton (10), who, without a second thought, shot a deep three as the buzzer went off. The home crowd went silent as the ball found the net. The Mariners had just won the PACWEST gold medal 78-75.
The tone was set early as the Mariners were introduced with “The Imperial March” as the home crowd booed. Clad in all black, VIU played the villain role perfectly, dominating the first quarter 14-7 with some tough defending. However, the Chargers bounced back, outscoring the Mariners 23-15 in the second quarter and finishing the first half with a one-point lead. VIU leaned on physical, aggressive offence and three-point shots, while the Chargers played better in the paint and showed more depth, outscoring the Mariners’ bench 15-8. Ultimately, the game was decided by efficiency; VIU capitalized on Camosun’s mistakes, scoring 13 points from turnovers compared to the Chargers’ two.
Beames, PACWEST Rookie of the Year, led the offence in the first half of the game, demonstrating technical skill while also out-hustling most players, diving twice to keep the ball in play. He finished the game with 17 points going five for five from the line.
Finch was the engine of the team, logging the most playtime with 39 minutes. He proved why he was named the PACWEST Player of the Year, finishing with a game-high 21 points and 12 rebounds—matching the best totals from VIU. His double-double performance kept the Chargers in the game, making him arguably the most valuable player of the match.
Last but not least, Tyler Synesael (#11) balled out, shooting five for six and finishing the game with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
The tension remained after the final whistle. Fans voiced their displeasure toward the visitors and several Mariners responded with taunts of their own. A fitting ending for a historic rivalry. The Chargers may have missed out on their first PACWEST gold, but the story isn’t over. Both teams are now bound for the national championships (to be hosted by VIU from March 18 to 21), where the chance for a rematch remains a very real possibility.