For the first time in school history, both the Quest Kermodes men’s and women’s basketball teams finished the regular season with winning records and the playoffs loom large for both squads.
The final weekend of the regular season saw the men’s squad hit the road on Thursday (Feb. 14) for a Valentine’s Day date with the Douglas College Royals. Quest picked up its third road win of the season, disposing of Douglas 83-75. The win clinched third place overall for the Kermodes.
Quest next travelled to Vancouver to take on the top-ranked Langara Falcons and fell 105-75. The pair of games left the Kermodes’ final record at 11 wins and 10 losses on the season.
It was a statement weekend for the women’s team, as the Kermodes beat Douglas 69-58 on Thursday and followed that with a 66-56 win over Langara on Saturday. Quest’s victory over Langara eliminated the Falcons from the playoffs and moved the Kermodes’ record to 13 wins and eight losses. The win total sets a new school single-season record. Despite the pair of wins, Quest didn’t manage to move up in the standings and finished the season ranked fourth in the Pacwest.
The postseason is up next for both teams and the men’s squad will take on the host Camosun Chargers in the first round. The two teams tangled three times in the regular season with Quest winning twice. The Kermodes posted an 86-74 win at home on Nov. 17, but lost 75-73 in Victoria on Jan. 19. The rubber match saw Quest beat the Chargers 88-77 at the Kermode Kave on Feb. 9.
The women, who are making their second consecutive postseason appearance, will battle the Kwantlen Eagles in the opening round. The Kermodes and the Eagles met three times, with Kwantlen getting the better of Quest twice. Quest defeated Kwantlen 71-57 in Squamish on Nov. 10, but then dropped a 78-65 decision to the Eagles in Surrey on Jan. 12. The Eagles then became one of only two teams to beat the women’s team at the Kermode Kave with an 83-79 win on Feb. 2.
The tournament, taking place at Camosun College in Victoria, runs from Feb. 28 to March 2. For more information on the tournament, visit www.pacwestbc.ca.
