Chemainus Cougars started the senior boys basketball season with a pair of losses, but coach Kyle Peruniak is optimistic about his team’s abilities.
The Cougars headed to Ganges Nov. 26 and took a 78-25 beating from the Gulf Islands Scorpions. Peruniak used it as a development game for his players.
“I played my bench which is full of developing players,” he noted.
Mark Harris accounted for more than half of the Cougars’ scoring with 13 points.
Peruniak looks forward to a rematch in February when he expects his team to be much better.
The Cougars played their opening game in a mixed A-AA league Dec. 3 at Chemainus Secondary and dropped a 63-45 decision to Kwalikum Secondary.
Chemainus led 7-5 after the first quarter, but trailed the rest of the game. The Cougars managed to stay within 10 points of Kwalikum until late in the game.
CJ Loranger and Harris combined for the bulk of the scoring with 20 and 16 points, respectively. Kyle Brown and Harris had seven rebounds each and Brown also led the defence with strong play under the hoop.
“Our offense is starting to click and I was happy with the shot selection the boys took,” Peruniak said. “Actually, I was hoping they would shoot more from behind the arc.
“Our rebounding needs work, especially on the defensive boards but I feel this team has the most potential of the last three seasons, mainly because I have four returning players, many who played lots of minutes last season.”
The Cougars have additional home games before Christmas on Dec. 10 against Highland and Dec. 17 against Nanaimo District Secondary School at 7 p.m.
The Chemainus midget boys got their season going this week. The first home game for the team is Monday, Dec. 16 against Duncan Christian School.
