For the second straight year, Mecca Glen has raised a championship banner.
The Mecca Glen junior boys basketball squad repeated the feat from last year by winning the 1J boys Central West Alberta Junior High Athletic Association (CWAJHAA) title at the championship tournament in Castor earlier this month.
The team posted a 63-53 victory over Red Deer’s Destiny Christian School in the final.
Both head coach Adam Troitsky and the boys were excited about being able to pull off the repeat, especially over a well coached, talented team.
“I was especially impressed with the boys response to adversity. Throughout the weekend, the boys were faced with great competition and, regardless of the situation, the boys responded with resolve,” he said.
“If a team made a big shot, the boys stayed together. If the fans were erupting with cheering for the other team, the boys stayed together. If we made a mistake, we didn’t compound that with more mistakes, the boys stayed together.”
While both Mecca Glen championship teams were led by experienced Grade 9 players, Troitsky explained the teams couldn’t be more different.
“Most of the boys this year were role players last year and used their experiences to become leaders of this year’s team. I am thrilled for the boys and they worked extremely hard to put themselves in a situation to be able to win a championship,” he stated.
“I am very proud of each of them, as all 12 played a role in winning this year.”
Three members of both championship squads — Graysen Waldron, Ben Kroening and Jace Van Scheik — added the squad are proud to be part of the Mecca Glen program and what the team has been able to accomplish this past season.