It may have been the season of Reindeer games, but the Virden Collegiate opted for basketball over the Christmas break, hosting two varsity vs. alumni games in the school’s gym on Dec. 28. Spectators cheered throughout the spirited matches as the girls and boys battled teams comprised of alumni who had returned to the area to spend the holidays with family and friends. The event was a fundraiser for team expenses like attending out-of-town tournaments, and included a raffle with prizes like a tool box, photo session, bison meat package and tickets to upcoming Virden Oil Capitals home games. One highlight was the raffling off of a basketball quilt crafted in school colours by Tanis Podobni of Oak Lake.
In the end, the alumni teams claimed victory in both matches, defeating the varsity boys 69 to 60 and beating the varsity girls 82 to 29.
Playing on the girls’ alumni team were: Logan Biccum, Natalie Vachon, Devan Sawyer, Jade Smith, Kylie Gompf, Heidi Smith, Kelby Lewis, Carmen Ross, Jordyn Smith, Sam Andrew, Anezka Niones, Franchesca Garcia and Ashton Smith.
The girls’ varsity roster includes: Kiahna Barkley, Becca Collier, Neveah Cowan, Arianna Ewert, Fiona Garcia, Ricki Hill, Brenna Johnston, Gracie Johnston, Sarah Keown, Jessie Podobni, Madeleine Potter Lukye, Yuri Quintero, Piper Reid, Maria Sanchez and Molly Studer
Playing on the boys’ alumni team were: Jason Santos, Jo Santos, Andrew Brereton, Dusty Siemens, Anfernee Niones, Quinn Langevin, Hugh Henderson, Kent Gabrielle, Glen Cowan, Will Podobni, Alex Edwards and Luke Edwards.
The boys’ varsity roster includes: Finn Abel, Francis Dela Cruz, Ayo Fashola, Fola Fashola, Denver Fernandez, Yuan Formilleza, Aiden Kerr, Matthew Kirkup, Xander Penner, Joe Pounder, Jake Quizon and Cade Scharff.
