It is time to exchange the gridiron for the cage, and at DVSS, they are building a basketball tradition.
The Dynos are getting ready for the start of the 2011-2012 season. Their first game of the season is in Trochu on Monday, December 5. Their home opener is on December 21 versus Carbon.
“This year's team is a good mixture of veterans and youth, who hope to continue and build upon the success of our boys basketball program,” said head coach Jeff Messom.
The team has been building a tradition over the last few seasons. They recaptured the league championship last season by beating Acme and went on to win silver at zones. They earned a berth in provincials and finished in sixth place in the province.
They have a strong core coming back this season, and have an exciting year planned, and much of that action will be close to home.
For the first time in six years, the Dynos are hosting a home tournament. In fact, there will be three tournaments this season at DVSS. The Dynos will be hosting top teams on the weekend of January 13 and 14. They are hosting a second tournament the weekend of March 2-3, just a week before they play host to the Zone tournament on March 9 and 10.
Another exciting event planned for the team is taking on the Harlem Crowns. This mix of basketball prowess, showmanship and gags is a crowd pleaser and will help the team financially through the season. This is slated for January 17.
The success of the program is more than just wins and loses. It is building a team, and identity, and in turn developing strong character.
“When it comes to boys' basketball at DVSS, we have always tried to promote the concept that this is more than just a team for that given year, but the players are part of something bigger, the Dynos basketball program. So in those initial years it was about developing an identity and a foundation of what represents Dynos basketball, a system of intensity, heart, hard work, and unity,” said Messom.
Many of the players have taken these lessons and have continued with basketball. Over the last few years, nine Dynos have gone on to play basketball at the college level. They include Joe Browning, James Fournier, Jason Aiken, Gavin Pittman, Mitch Smith, Chad Molzan and Kyle Masson.
Currently Tyler Fournier and Will Belliveau are playing at Kings University College under the guidance of Jesse McLean and Chad Pidhaichuk, who this year took over coaching the postsecondary team. Both were part of the Dynos program as Badlands Basketball.
“I would attribute the success of these individuals to their character, dedication to hard work, and commitment, which they were able to take to the next level with them. And I believe it was these qualities from these individuals and other individuals who have been part of the program that have led to our success,” said Messom.
He adds that many of the players give back to the program.
“We believe success breeds success and in the last six years we have been fortunate that when a group of young men move on, another group the next year wants to step in and continue the success of the recent past,” said Messom. “When players have graduated, we have been fortunate that many of them want to remain vital part of the program’s success by coming back to help with spring league, basketball camps, or helping coach our teams at DVSS.”
