The Camosun Chargers basketball teams are ready to tip-off the season tonight on the road against the Columbia Bible College Bearcats in Abbotsford. The women start at 6pm and the men’s game at 8pm. Games can be streamed live via PACWEST.TV.
On the men’s side, the team’s leading scorer and rebounder last season and former Pacific Western Athletic Association (PACWEST) All-Rookie team member, Noah Helman (Victoria, B.C./Claremont Secondary) returns for another season along side fellow All-Rookie teammate and team leader in steals and assists, Jaime Palamos-Molins (Victoria, B.C./Oak Bay High). This dynamic duo will be tough to beat on both defense and offense.
Two starters from last season, David Finch (Vancouver, B.C./Argyle Secondary) and Cole Belton (Victoria, B.C./Belmont Secondary) who challenge opponents down low are returning to the floor again with the Chargers.
Notable new-comers are USport athletes Jesse Vogel (Las Vegas, NV/Arbor View High) who joins the Chargers from the University of British Colombia – Okanagan (UBCO) and Jakob Neufeld (Claremont Secondary/Victoria, B.C.) from the University of Victoria (UVIC).
“I am excited to work with this tremendous group of young men. We return a strong core of talented, high-character individuals who have bought into sacrificing for the good of the group,” said men’s basketball head coach, Geoff Pippus. “With the addition of two USport transfers, this group has the potential to have success through the year and into playoffs in March.”
The women’s team also welcomes back a strong group of returning players including Rhiannon Ware (Medicine Hat, AB/Medicine Hat High), Julia Forsyth (Medicine Hat, AB/Crescent Heights High School), Allie Brinton (Victoria, B.C./Lambrick Park Secondary), and Allison Bobroske (Victoria, B.C./Lambrick Park Secondary).
PACWEST Defensive Player of the Year, Ware, is a firecracker that led the team in rebounds last season. Forsyth is a veteran leader that brings an infectious energy and passion. Local talent Brinton is incredibly athletic and it will be hard for opponents to keep up with her. Bobroske is a dynamic forward who can handle any defensive assignment and uses her athleticism to find good opportunities.
Key additions to the squad this year are Sevene Grewal (Surrey, B.C./Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary) and Dani Mellon (Kelowna, B.C./Kelowna Secondary). Grewal is a dynamic scorer who will bring a welcomed boost to the team. Mellon is a very versatile and hardworking player who will be counted on in tough situations.
“We have an energetic well-balanced team,” said women’s basketball head coach, Kate Service. “Fans can expect to see a team with excellent cohesion and intensity that represent Camosun with pride and integrity. We want to be disruptive, but deliberate. Our focus is always on growth and development as individuals and a team. We hope to build on our success from last year.”
The Chargers basketball home openers are on Friday, Oct. 27 against Douglas College at the Pacific Institute for Sports Education (PISE) (W6pm/M8pm). This is the first of 12 home games for both the men’s and women’s teams over six weekends in 2023-24.
All Camosun Chargers home games can be live streamed on the Chargers YouTube channel. Full team rosters and schedules can be found on the Chargers website.
The full PACWEST schedule can be found on their website at www.pacwestbc.ca.
