Senior Boys Basketball Provincials: A Season to Remember
The final buzzer has sounded, the echoes of sneakers squeaking on hardwood have faded, and the season has officially come to a close. The road to provincials was paved with relentless effort, dedication, and an unbreakable bond among teammates. Through every practice, every game, and every moment of adversity where our players were on the verge of giving up, the team fought with heart and determination.
And now, as the dust settles, we look back at a journey that defined not just a season, but a brotherhood filled with a bunch of guys who admire and love each other.
Heading into provincials, we were ranked 10th, underdogs determined to prove that we belonged among the best. Our first matchup was against a formidable Notre Dame squad - a game that tested our resilience. We battled hard, staying in it the whole way, but fell short by 10 points. A tough loss, but an even tougher situation: we were without Kang C, Whittall ‘26, one of our star players, due to a fractured hand, and Jaxen L, Ellis ‘26 fought through a horrific stomach illness to be on the court. Despite these setbacks, the team played with grit, refusing to back down with Jackson L, Ellis '26 and Julian B, Ellis '25 battling their hearts out on the floor.
With that loss, we found ourselves in the consolation bracket, but that fueled our fire with an emotional post-game motivational talk from Captain Julian B where he said, “I want everyone here to remember this moment. Especially you Grade 11s, that way you never will want to or have to feel it again.” Fired up and motivated over the next three days, we locked in and secured three straight wins, beating formidable teams and winning the final game against PCS, another Island team that ranked higher than us in Islands, by 20+ points.
We climbed back up the rankings and finished in 9th place - one spot higher than we entered. It wasn’t just about the numbers; it was about proving to ourselves that we had the resilience, skill, and heart to overcome obstacles and finish strong. Our coach, Mr. Gage, was extremely proud and admired the bounce back we had.
Reflecting on the season, it’s impossible not to appreciate the countless hours of hard work, the sweat poured into practices, and the moments of triumph and challenge that shaped this team. For our graduating seniors, this tournament was the culmination of years of dedication to the game with many of us being in the program for four years. It was emotional watching them take the floor for the last time, knowing that their impact on this program would last far beyond their final game.
Captain Julian B summed it up best: “Being a member of the team since Grade 10, it was a pleasure being the captain of such an amazing group this year. I love all of these boys so much.”
And of course, no season recap would be complete without words from our biggest hype man, Jack S, Whittall ‘25: “If only I laced up against Notre Dame, my 45-inch vertical and LeBron James-esque clutchness would have powered us to the win for sure.”
While this chapter has come to an end, the memories, friendships, and lessons will last forever. This season was more than just a series of games - it was a testament to perseverance, teamwork, and the love of the sport. As we close the book on this year, one thing is certain: the future of this program is bright, and the passion for the game will carry on with our Grade 11s powering the legacy for the future of Brentwood basketball. So let's never forget Mr Gage's words, "It's bigger than basketball."
Until next season.
Yash D, Whittall ‘25