Westpark wins league championship, now looking ahead to provincials

The Westpark Royals are Zone 4 AA champions.

The varsity boys' basketball team was dominant in the final as they defeated the Carman Cougars 87-45. Head coach Dave Britton says having the big lead gave the entire team a chance to touch the floor in this monumental game.

"The lead that we had developed throughout the rest of the game allowed us to put in substitute players that don't usually play as much, some of our younger guys," Britton explains. "So, in the fourth quarter, we were able to get everybody out on the court and have everyone participate."

The Royals are made up of three Grade 12 players. The rest of their squad is either in Grade 9 or 10 and simultaneously, plays on their junior varsity basketball team.

One of those Grade 10 players to step up was Troy Roulette, who finished the game with 18 points. Britton adds their three leaders also played a phenomenal game. Aden Fawcett put up 41 points, and Rhett Britton was close to a triple-double with 21 points, 12 assists, and seven steals.

The last of their three seniors is Soren Weselake, and the head coach says he was their catalyst defensively, not just in the championship game but all season. Britton adds intense defence has been their main key to success.

"Since I've been coaching here, we've never been a tall team but we've been a pretty athletic bunch," Britton continues. "The mentality that I've always had is great offence starts with great defence. That's proven itself over and over again, as we're able to put the pressure on and then quickly turn it into offensive points. We have the mentality of as soon as you score, you're not celebrating, you're right on to your next task, which is to cause that turnover again."

The head coach notes while they were very happy to become champions, the work won't stop there.

"We've been calling this, 'The Road to Provincials.' So, this was a step. We're definitely not finished. There's still work ahead. Even in the last minutes of the game, we were still trying to improve things and were still on the journey. At the same time, we took a few moments to enjoy the victory. The banner is hanging in our awards case, and we're enjoying that."

Britton says they will have a provincial qualifier on March 4 but it is yet to be determined where that game will be played and who the Royals will be facing.