AMHERST – The Amherst Regional High School Vikings basketball team host the Tantramar Titans today at 4:15 p.m., and then host the Carters Cresting Vikings Invitational tip-off tournament beginning Friday.
“We have nine returning players, so we have a lot more experience than we did last year,” said Vikings coach Matt Gamblin. “A lot of the guys put a lot of work in during the summer, so we’re off to a good start.”
The Vikings played at North Nova High School in New Glasgow over the weekend and made it to the championship game against, losing to Sr. John A. MacDonald High School by 17 points.
On the road to the championship game they beat Central Kings by four points and North Nova by 30 points.
“It was ugly because it’s early in the season,” said Gamblin.
Last night the Vikings were practicing their offensive systems at ARHS.
“We’re working more on our offensive systems,” said Gamblin. “We want to run the ball well, so we’re working a lot of the fast breaks.”
Fast breaks require good passing and good conditioning, and Gamblin said the Vikings conditioning is good but will get better as the season progresses.
Captain Adrian VanVulpen, who is in Grade 11, will lead this year’s team.
Gamblin said they made VanVulpen captain because, “He exhibits good leadership on and off the floor.”
The teams’ three Grade 12 veterans, Shaddy Mohamad, Ryan Thompson and Josh Lee, will also provide leadership.
Gamblin hopes a lot of people come out for the tournament.
There will be a canteen.
The Vikings play the Tantramar Titans today beginning at 4:15 p.m.
The tournament schedule is as follows:
FRIDAY
4:15 p.m. – Pugwash vs. Tantramar
6 p.m. – Amherst vs. Charlottetown
7:15 p.m. – Pugwash vs. Breton Education Centre
SATURDAY
10 a.m. – Amherst vs. BEC
12 p.m. – Charlottetown vs. Pugwash
2 p.m. – BEC vs. Charlottetown
4 p.m. – Amherst vs. Pugwash
dmathieson@amherstdaily.com
