Parity has arrived in a big way in the Richmond Senior Boys Basketball League although no one is counting out the seven-time defending champions just yet.
When the regular season tips-off next week, the RC Palmer Griffins won't be considered the pre-season favourite. That status is shared by three teams - McMath Wildcats, McRoberts Strikers and MacNeill Ravens - although don't suggest that to one veteran coach.
"You never know with them," laughed McMath bench boss Jon Acob who is a good friend of longtime Palmer coach Paul Eberhardt. "Ebe said he wouldn't be coaching this year but he's still around and they have some good players. You just can't count those guys out but really there is a lot of parity in the league this year."
On paper at least, the Wildcats are poised to take their first serious run at a city title in nearly a decade and they also appear to be a threat to win their first-ever B.C. title thanks to the new tiering system that has been implemented this season.
The Richmond Colts are the lone city team competing at the "AAAA" level for large schools that feature the majority of the province's elite teams. McMath is joined at the "AAA" level by McRoberts, Boyd, Burnett and Steveston-London. The "AA" schools include Palmer, MacNeill and Cambie. Rounding out the 10 city teams is Richmond Christian at the "A" level.
All will be trying to advance to the Langley Events Centre in March which will be hosting provincial tournaments for each of the tiers.
"I think if we competed at 4A we would have an outside shot at making (provincials)," continued Acob whose team opened its season Monday with a 120- 57 pounding of the South Delta Sun Devils in the Delta/Richmond Challenge Night. "Not only do we have a very good chance at making it (at 3A) but we should be contending to win it all as well."
Acob's 14-man roster includes three returning starters from a team that came close to advancing to the provincials a year ago. He also has an excellent Grade 11 class that not only won the Richmond championship but advanced to the B.C. Championships. The group has been working out since the summer and it was evident in their win over South Delta that showcased their uptempo game and excellent perimeter shooting.
"We are not as skilled as last year but this is more of a team," said Acob. "There is already good chemistry between them and they are starting to read each other a lot. It's also a lot faster team.
"The Grade 12s that we have our good leaders. We are deep and the good thing is, since they have already spent a lot of time together, there is no animosity. They know they are pushing themselves to be better."
The Ravens also participated in the Delta/Richmond Challenge and hung tough with the Delta Pacers in a 75-62 loss.
The host school from Ladner, which is just on the outside of the initial provincial 4A rankings, needed a 16-2 run to open the third quarter to take control of the game.
MacNeil got off to a terrific start and was led by the 35-point performance of senior standout Umar Tung.
The Colts opened the triple-header challenge with a win over Seaquam.
League play starts next Wednesday with Boyd hosting McMath at 7:30 p.m.
