The University of Victoria (UVic) is rounding out its roster with some local talent.
Heading into the holiday break, the UVic Vikes menB次元官网网址檚 basketball team leads the nation with a perfect 8-0 record. To continue the teamB次元官网网址檚 dominant run, head coach Murphy Burnatowski has signed Spectrum Community School standouts Justin Hinrichsen and Tyler Felt, along with Oak Bay HighB次元官网网址檚 Toren Franklin B次元官网网址� a trio set to carry the program into the future.
B次元官网网址淲hat makes this group special is that theyB次元官网网址檙e all super versatile and will seamlessly fit into our system. More importantly, theyB次元官网网址檙e all really coachable, hard workers who embody the character we want in this program,B次元官网网址� Burnatowski said.
At Spectrum, Hinrichsen and Felt formed a dynamic duo, leading the program to its first-ever B.C. senior boys high school championship. Outside their success at Spectrum, the pair, alongside Franklin, competed for the Bay Nation basketball club and helped Team B.C.B次元官网网址檚 U17 squad to a silver medal last summer B次元官网网址� bringing a shared history and immediate chemistry to the Vikes.
Despite their age, the trio of athletes has already earned numerous accolades. HinrichsenB次元官网网址檚 father, Eric Hinrichsen, not only played for the Vikes but was inducted into the UVic Sports Hall of Fame. Justin has already begun to show flashes of his dadB次元官网网址檚 success, averaging 21 points, 15 rebounds, six assists, and two steals per game.
B次元官网网址淛ustin is a Swiss army knife on the court. He can play and guard multiple positions, shoot, and pass at a high level. He will help our team in so many different ways,B次元官网网址� Burnatowski said.
Meanwhile, at 6B次元官网网址�9B次元官网网址�, Felt is a forward who brings size, skill, and potential to the team. Some of his most recent accolades include being named MVP at last yearB次元官网网址檚 provincial championship and earning Second Team All-Canadian honours at the U17 national championship. While Felt had NCAA Division I offers, he opted to fulfill a dream of playing with the Vikes.
B次元官网网址淭yler is an extremely well-rounded big. He uses his length to rebound and defend at a high level, and his decision-making abilities on offence make him a very efficient and productive threat,B次元官网网址� Burnatowski said.
Finally, Franklin has already excelled as a standout point guard at Oak Bay High and will be looked to as a potential replacement for current Vikes star and fellow Oak Bay grad Diego Maffia. His leadership, clutch playmaking, and ability to hit big shots earned him MVP honours at last yearB次元官网网址檚 Vancouver Island AAAA championship.
According to Burnatowski, B次元官网网址淭oren brings all the qualities one looks for in a true point guard. His shooting and passing are high level, but more importantly, heB次元官网网址檚 extremely eager to get his teammates involved at all times.B次元官网网址�
As the trio rounds out their high school careers competing for the top spot in B.C. high school basketball, they have a bright future ahead at UVic B次元官网网址� aiming to keep the Vikes at the top of the national conversation.
