JPII cap season with dual golds on home court

After a bye to start the weekend, the Crusaders defeated Kerrobert in convincing fashion, setting up an all North Battleford final, as JPII faced a familiar foe in the NBCHS Vikings, ultimately defeating the comp by 35 points.

For Nate Jurgens, who has been the head coach of the junior boys team for six years, the 2018-19 championship marks his fourth districts win since joining the team.

Although the Crusaders’ junior boys have seen plenty of success in years prior, the team’s level of dominance this year stands unparalleled.

“We’ve been fortunate to have such a good group of kids over the last couple of years, and we’ve had success with those groups, but this is the first time that we’ve had an undefeated season,” Jurgens said. “We came close a few years ago, but this was the first time.”

Jurgens said the team’s all-out competitive nature, coupled with their ability rise to a challenge and simple love of the game all came together to form ingredients in the Crusaders’ winning formula for success.

“Honestly, it couldn’t have happened with a better group,” Jurgens said. “They’re such a dedicated group of players, they play as a team, and they always go out and give you their best no matter what. They embrace challenges, so for them to be able to achieve [the championship], is very special.”

The Crusaders’ junior girls won their second district championship gold medal in three years, this time in front of the home town crowd at JPII. (submitted photo/Kristina Binette)

The junior girls Crusaders finished the season with a 15-3 record to clinch their second district championship in three years.

After receiving a bye of their own through the play-in rounds, the junior girls defeated Unity in convincing fashion 47-17 to once again set up an all-local final for gold, with JPII playing host to NBCHS. The Crusaders ultimately defeated the Vikings by a single point, 40-39 for gold in a nail biter to clinch the championship.

Kristina Binette, who has been head coach of the junior girls over the last seven years, said the team’s success this season can be attributed greatly to work ethic, coupled with a real tight-knit sense of comradery amongst the group, both on and off the court.

“The girls just really worked well,” she said. “They worked hard, they had positive attitudes both on and off the court, they were encouraging to one another, and they had fun when they were playing. I think that lead to a lot of our success.”

With just five Grade 9’s on the team, the majority of the junior girls’ gold medal squad was made up of Grade 8’s, meaning the Crusaders should continue to be a prominent force to be reckoned again heading into next season.

As far as what the gold medals mean for the JPII basketball program and the school’s prestige in athletics in general, Binette believes the institution’s success goes to showcase the value of sports within the community.

“I think it says that we really work hard and we’re really committed to developing student athletes,” she said. “We want to teach them more than just a love of basketball, we [also] want to teach them good work ethic, teamwork, for them to be good people and I think that comes through when we have the double gold medals.”

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1

by Martin Martinson

JPII cap season with dual golds on home court

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