The NBCHS junior boys basketball team post for a picture following a tournament win earlier this year in Melfort. (File photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

High School Athletics

NBCHS athletics optimistic for return amidst pause from action

Jan 25, 2022 | 9:40 AM

North Battleford Comprehensive High School’s (NBCHS) sports teams are making most of challenging circumstances during their current pause from play.

Last week the Living Sky School Division sent out an email, following a meeting between the school division and administration, asking their schools to take a pause from extracurricular sports game-play and travel due to COVID precautions until at least Jan. 31, at which time things will be re-evaluated.

While the pause nullifies all cross-school competition (even that within the division), the school teams are still permitted to practice and take part in team activities within their own walls.

As such, one of the ways the junior boys basketball team has been keeping busy has been through a scrimmage game against the Vikings’ seniors. Coach Andrew Sneddon said while it may have been just a fun exhibition game, there was no doubt the juniors relished the competition.

“I would say they definitely gave the senior boys a bit of a go,” he said with a laugh. “We played a full four quarter game, and were giving them a good run for their money, until eventually the bigger size and stamina of the senior boys kind of took over a bit and kicked in, but it they weren’t holding back. We told them go out and play and they did.”

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While activities like the school scrimmage are a nice distraction, Sneddon said the team really remains hopeful for a return to games soon with districts around the corner in early February.

“For our team, the pinnacle of our season is going to districts and getting to play for the district medal, so we’re really hoping we’ll be able to do that,” he said.

Head coach of the school’s curling program, Evan Reid said with uncertainty surrounding the curling season as well, they are also optimistic for a chance at districts, especially as other mainstay tournaments of years past have been postponed or cancelled altogether due to the pause.

“There used to be a nice big junior bonspiel in Prince Albert, but since the pandemic hit that has unfortunately not been put on,” Reid said. “That was a wonderful one to take the high school curlers to for some valuable game experience.”

However despite the setback, Reid added that – much like the basketball team – they have been doing all they can to continue to offer a challenging and fun atmosphere during practices for the time being.

“It’s been mostly just practicing, but then we’ll maybe have an intra-squad game within practice,” he said. “Every once in a while I’ll join a team to play, or another coach will to give [the students] some competition, but we really haven’t been able to play much.”

Senior curling districts remain currently scheduled for February 15–16 in Wilkie, with junior districts set for March 1–2 in Spiritwood.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1