A memorable high school basketball season will end in style for Anmol Mattu and Les Hamaguchi
The Steveston-London Sharks standout point guard and longtime coach have been selected for the upcoming B.C. High School All-Star Game on April 21 at the Langley Events Centre.
Mattu is one of 20 players chosen. Eligible players for the game must be in Grade 12 and chosen as a league/zone tournament all-star or MVP this past season at the "A" "AA" or "AAA" levels. The five-year starter capped off her high school in grand style by leading the Sharks to their first-ever B.C. tournament berth. Steveston-London also become the first Richmond school to qualify for the provincials since 2001.
Mattu was an all-star at the Lower Mainland Championships where the Sharks clinched a B.C. berth with a third place finish. She went on to lead the provincial tournament in scoring as the Sharks placed ninth.
Hamaguchi will be coaching the "home team" that will feature Mattu in the line-up. He returned to the provincial "AAA" tournament as a coach for the first time since 1996.
Prior to taking over the Steveston-London senior girls program, Hamaguchi enjoyed some highly successful stints with the Richmond Colts and Steveston Packers.
The game is slated for 2 p.m.
Meanwhile, Mattu's future head coach is looking forward to working with her over the next five years. She officially signed with the University of Calgary a day after the provincials.
"Anmol is going to be an exciting Dino to watch over the next five years," said Damain Jennings, the reigning Canada West Coach of the Year who also guides Great Britain's national women's team.
"She epitomizes where the program is going in her leadership skills, desire to continuously improve, her academic focus and the style of basketball she wants to help shape here in Calgary.
"She immediately made an impact on me and I'm looking forward to helping her achieve her performance goals and service the Dinos team."
Mattu had various post-secondary options to play basketball, but ultimately chose the University of Calgary due to a number of factors.
"The main reason I chose Calgary is because Damian promised to challenge me both mentally and physically as a basketball player, thus I am excited to train with him and the Dinos for the next five years," said Mattu.
"I think Damian's European and international experience will help me become the best player that I can be. The great education at the University of Calgary, along with the amazing coaching, team, and facility, set the university apart from others. Overall, I believe the University of Calgary and the Dinos are the perfect fit for me."
