H.D. Stafford Skyhawks' Pandeep Heyer drove to the basket while being shadowed by a Chief Dan George Wolves' defender on the opening day of the Skyhawk Invitational, played Friday and Saturday at H.D. Stafford Middle School. The Skyhawks tamed the Wolves 37-32.
Photograph by: Matthew Claxton , Langley Advance
H.D. Stafford Middle School's Grade 8 boys showed well on home court Friday and Saturday, during the Skyhawk Invitational basketball tournament.
On Saturday, the 'Hawks fell 12-points short of taking the title, losing 37-25 to Eugene Reimer in the championship final.
The Skyhawks ran into foul trouble early and had to bandage up their point guard, Sheldon Gangloff, which led the team to go to the bench to fill spots.
"The boys coming from the bench did an excellent job, but it was hard not having Sheldon and some of the other players," Skyhawks coach Mike de Wit said. "Having said that, we managed to keep the score close."
De Wit said that if all the Skyhawks were healthy, and not tired from the second contest of day, the title game may have been a different story.
Prior to the tournament, H.D. Stafford went undefeated in two league games, beating Brookswood and D.W. Poppy.
"I have a lot of respect for Brookswood and what I hear of their program, so a win over them was the highlight of my year," de Wit said.
According to de Wit, the Skyhawks are a "great group of boys., what I would call well-rounded athletes, and respectful individuals. It is really a pleasure to coach them."
He noted that co-coach Aaron Rowe, another teacher on staff, has been an "excellent addition to our program."
LANGLEY CRIBBAGE LEAGUE
Scores as of Jan. 10
Milner 18, Harmsworth 18 Murrayville 19, Willoughby 17 Langley 19, Fort Langley 17
League standings
Langley 39, Murrayville 38, F. Langley 37, Harmsworth 35, Milner 34, Willoughby 33
