By Devon Gall
Saanich’s sports scene is ramping up again after the Christmas break.
The Camosun Chargers men’s and women’s basketball squads hosts the V.I. Mariners Friday, Jan. 9 at PISE. The women’s game starts at 6 p.m. while the men tip off at 8 p.m. Watch for the Chargers’ volleyball teams returning to the court next Friday, Jan. 16, with Camosun hosting the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades. Games go at 6 p.m. for the women and 8 p.m. for the men.
High school hoops is back in order on Tuesday, Jan 13. Mount Douglas Rams host the Oak Bay Bays/Breakers for a double-header beginning with the girls at 5:45 p.m. Spectrum’s senior girls visit Reynolds at 5:45 p.m. while the senior boys hit the court at Lambrick Park at 7:30 p.m. St. Michaels University School’s senior girls tip off at Lambrick Park at 5:45 p.m. while SMUS’ boys welcome Westshore rivals, the Belmont Bulldogs at 7:30 p.m.
St. Andrews’ senior girls and boys face off against Glenlyon Norfolk School, with the girls taking the local court at 5:45 p.m. and the boys following at 7:30 p.m.
The action continues Wednesday, Jan. 14 when Reynolds visits Esquimalt and Pacific Christian welcomes Stelly’s, both at 7:30 p.m. On Thursday, Jan. 15, Saanich’s St. Margaret’s and St. Andrew’s schools visit Vic High (5:45 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.).
The annual Victoria Police Tournament will fill the SMUS gyms with senior boys basketball action Jan. 15 to 17, featuring teams from the host school, Lambrick Park, Claremont and Spectrum, in addition to teams from Oak Bay, Shawnigan, David Thompson and West Vancouver. Tip-off is at 1:45 p.m. Thursday.
The Saanich Braves Junior B hockey squad aims to keep their win streak alive when they travel to Kerry Park to face the Islanders Jan. 10. The Braves have another away game the following week, Jan. 16 against the Peninsula Panthers.
While the Junior Braves are out of town, the Saanich Braves Midget AA team will play at Pearkes Recreation Centre. The boys’ will host the Comox Chiefs Saturday, Jan. 10 at 4 p.m., aiming to build on their bronze-medal win New Year’s Eve at the Richmond International Hockey Tournament.
The Vancouver Island Ladies Field Hockey Association has plenty of games on tap beginning tomorrow (Jan. 10) at UVic’s Field Hockey Turf with a 9:30 a.m. start between the Pirates host Lynx 3. The Devils and Demons follow at 11 a.m., the Cardinals and Lynx 2 at 12:30 p.m., the Renegades and Ravens at 2 p.m. and the Blue Jays and Sailors at 3:30 p.m. Two local games Sunday, Jan. 11 pit Lynx 3 against the Demons at 9 a.m., while the Devils and the Pirates take to the pitch at 3 p.m. On Wednesday, Jan. 14 at 6:30 p.m., the Patriots host the Flickers.
Three match-ups are also on the men’s calendar, with the Hawks taking on the Rebels at 10:30 a.m., the Marauders hosting Oak Bay at noon and the Mutineers hosting the Tigers at 1:30 p.m. All games are at the UVic turf.
Looking ahead to Canada’s national summer sport, Saanich Lacrosse is welcoming registrations for the 2015 season, including both regular box lacrosse and regional female box lacrosse teams. For details, visit saanichlacrosse.com.
Lakehill Little League and Softball opens online registration this week for the 2015 season; in-person registration for all Little League clubs is scheduled for Jan. 31/Feb. 1 and Feb. 7 and 8 at each organization’s clubhouse. Watch also for your Greater Victoria Baseball Association parks opening their registration soon for the 2015 season.
- Devon Gall is an avid sports fan and athlete attending Grade 12 at Mount Douglas secondary. Reach him at jocktalk@telus.net.