Regional champs

TWILLINGATE For the second consecutive year the JMOC Tigers will represent Central in the upcoming provincial AAA boys volleyball championships to be played at Twillingate this coming weekend (Nov. 28-9).

The Tigers took the qualifier in a competition involving five other teams at Hare Bay on Nov. 15. Teams represented were from Lester Pearson Memorial of New-Wes-Valley, Riverwood Academy of Gander Bay, New World Island Academy, Glovertown Academy and Jane Collins Academy of Hare Bay. Because of the number of teams participating, the competition was split into two divisions with the Tigers having to play Wesleyville and Gander Bay in the round-robin.

The first game wasnt a strong one for the Tigers, losing two games in a best-of-three to Lester Pearson. In the first game, the Tigers lost out 20-25 but managed to come back and win the second game 25-16. The third and deciding game went to Pearson 15-12. However, that loss seemed to be a wake-up for the Tigers. In their second round-robin they were up against Riverwood who came back from a 25-14 deficit in the first game to win over the Tigers 25-23 in the second. The final game saw the Tigers settle down and win with a 15-5 score.

In a semi-final match, Twillingate faced Glovertown but had little difficulty in taking them in two games straight with scores of 25-14 and 25-23.

From that point on, noted coach Barry Grimes, the Tigers played excellent volleyball.

The championship match pitted the Tigers against Pearson who had beaten Twillingate in the opener. But that fact seemed only to make the Tigers more determined, suggested Mr. Grimes, as they easily took the championship 25-13 and 25-14.

Thats the second straight Regional banner for the Tigers, said Grimes, and I congratulate them for it. I also wish them the best of luck in the upcoming provincials to be played here on Saturday. I would also encourage those interested to come out and support their team.