The Thompson Trojans are trying on Cinderella’s slipper to see if it fits. If it does, you know what they’re wearing to the big dance next month.
The surprise team from David Thompson secondary is powering through the post-season on a string of upset wins against provincially ranked AAAA teams, including a double overtime win against St. George’s to reach the Lower Mainland tournament semifinals tomorrow night at the Richmond Olympic Oval. The game is at 6:15 p.m. against Burnary South at the Richmond Oval.
In that win, the Trojans pulled ahead on the tremendous output of Harry Brar. The six-foot-three forward had 54 points in an 87-85 win.
"It was spectacular to watch," said St. George's athletic director Richard Cohee in an email. "He was brilliant. Hit perimeter shots, inside hoops, free throws…Even though we lost, it was fun to see him play. It’s not very often you see a high-schooler go for 50+!"
The Trojans had the settle themselves for the start of the game, said coach Jimmy Choi.
“Going into St. George’s with the kids that I have, they’ve never seen anything like it,” he said Monday. “Going into that school and seeing what money does for other people, they were a little in awe of everything that was there. There was a grand piano in the middle of the hallway. I didn’t know whether or not they would be able to focus. It was like wonderland.”
The Trojans jumped to a double-digit lead in the first quarter and held a sizeable spread at halftime.
“We caught them off guard,” said Choi. “They underestimated us and might have walked in with a little too much swagger.”
St. George’s sprung back with a 10-point lead in the third quarter and the Trojans began to wilt. Choi described it as “a little bit of panic.”
He pushed Brar to step up since this will be the player's final year in high school. “Once he heard my words, it was bombs away.”
In the second overtime, Brar demanded the ball and cleared the court. He scored a lay-in and drew the foul, which he sunk.
“He faked the pass to Parmvir [Hyare], the defence bit and he drove right down the lane and laid it in with an and-one," said Choi.
In Wednesday's semifinal, the Trojans play Burnaby South and must contend with top prospect Jermaine Haley. When they play at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, Kitsilano meets St. George’s at the same time. At 8 p.m., Churchill clashes with Vancouver College and Windermere meets New Westminster.
The top three teams advance to the B.C. Championship, held at the Langley Events Centre from March 11 to 14.
This tournament could be the last for Choi — at least for a while. After this season, he’s stepping down as the senior boys head coach. He may or may not coach at a younger level next season. If not, he will be missed from the program he helped build from almost nothing over the past decade.
The decision is one that frustrates retired Killarney coach and Choi’s mentor, Tom Tagami.
“I would be disappointed if it was going to be his last year because I think he’s got a lot to offer the school,” Tagami said this week from Arizona.
“He’s develop himself into a very good coach. The other thing is that he’s aware of the entire program — the Grade 8s, 9s, 10s and he’s concerned about the development of the basketball program as a whole at Thompson, rather than just coaching one particular team. If you’re going to be a senior coach, that has to be something you’re trying to develop.”
If Choi is leaving for good, said Tagami, “I have no respect for him and he’s copping out. One thing I have always said to coaches who have decided to move down to a lower level or leave is don’t bail out on the program and leave the cupboard bare.
“If you’re going to be the senior coach, you’re going to be in charge of basketball for your school and it’s important […] you are concerned for the overall program and are not just coaching for your own ego and coaching the best team. If that’s what you’re doing, I have no respect for you. I see too many coaches that do that — I’m hoping Jim is not one of those people and I don’t think he is.”
Choi got his start on the court at Strathcona community centre and then Britannia secondary, where he graduated. At the time, Tagami, who is still actively involved with basketball in B.C., was at Killarney and encouraged Choi to take a position which then led to a full-time teaching job at Thompson as a P.E. and shop teacher.
Choi and Tagami still chat every few days, and right now it’s a lot about basketball.
“You’re using the sport as a vehicle for life lessons,” said Tagami. “It’s not winning the championship that is important, it’s what the kids get out of it 10 years from now, 15 years from now, 20 years. And he realizes that.”
With an influence like that, it’s hard to imagine Choi won’t be back on the bench — if not next season, then soon.
