Sam Tamana’s cellphone has been ringing quite a bit over the past few days.
The calls have been for congratulations in leading his Richmond Christian boys’ basketball team to a third place finish last week at the provincial finals in Langley.
And some messages have been from school alumni who are interested in getting onboard the school’s suddenly, extremely popular program on the hardwood that makes a leap from its current 1A division to 2A next season.
“It’s been great,” said Tamana, who along with fellow Richmond Christian alumni Tim Subion coached their squad to a number one ranking prior to the provincials at the Langley Events Centre. “People have been very excited about what we’ve been able to achieve. We’re mainly known as a volleyball school that is a regular at the provincials. Now, we’re getting some recognition for what we can do on the basketball court.”
Tamana said he is very proud of his team’s performance throughout the tournament, especially after a heartbreaking, 68-58 semifinal loss to Kelowna Christian, the tournament’s eventual champion.
“That was tough. We were pretty much tied all the way until the last five minutes of the game,” Tamana said, adding he was impressed by the bounce back his Eagles showed in the following bronze medal game against Langley’s Credo Christian, beating them 70-54.
“We showed a good response to come back and play well in that game,” said Tamana who will now be helping organize the basketball program’s first summer programs to keep interest high and sharpen his players’ abilities far ahead of next season’s tip off.
“Our team has had a special sparkle to it and it’s going to be great to see what we can become.” he said.
