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(Pictured: Willie Galick was a 1st team all-star at Nationals.)
“I can't believe the hands on this kid, he has the prettiest lay ups and reverses out of all the big men I know. I have never had a better guy to bring out my toughness with either, we literally beat each other up in practices, in the end, we were the toughest kids at Nationals by far”
- Willie Galick, U-17 team
(Pictured: Jake is a duo sport athlete being named the AAA MVP for football while leading his team to a Provincial Championship.)
(Pictured: All-Star guard Tyler Kepkay)
“Jake i s extremely agile for a big man. He runs the floor excellently and has great range for his position. He also made my job much easier because he has great hands in catching post feeds. I would love it when he would set screens for me because he would always get me open.”
Tyler Kepkay, U17 team
(Pictured: Jacob Doerksen has exploded in the 2nd half of the season averaging close to 40 pts a night including two 50 point outbursts. Jake was an intricate part of the U-17 team that finished 2nd at Nationals this summer. Here he takes it strong to the hoop against Ontario in the Finals of the Nationals.)
"MAN CHILD" - JACOB DOERKSEN: SENIOR FORWARD RICK HANSEN
The Rick Hansen team is one of the best in the schools history and one of the main reasons lies in 6’6’’ forward Jacob Doerksen. He's regarded by many as the best high school basketball player in the province. However, there’s no disputing that he’s the best football player in the province. Jacob Doerksen was named the 2004 triple-A player of the year at the provincial football awards banquet an accomplishment he credits his teammates for. "Individual stuff is 
nice but we all wanted the title," said Doerksen. His selflessness and desire to be the best was something that caught Scott Allen’s eye. “Jake is the truest of competitors. He’s tenacious like a Pitt Bull, the strength of a Great Dane and the speed and agility of a Greyhound. All contained in one person he’s the guy you want on your team when going to war” says the U-17 provincial team coach. Jake is duo sport athlete excelling both on the court and on the grid iron. The Abbotsford native is enjoying a stellar senior campaign highlighted by his 2 break out performances where he scored a 51 points against Lambrick Park and 52 points against MEI. With his fearless approach to the game Jake is an absolute force to be reckoned with on the court.
Jake has the ability to score in a variety of different ways. He’s big, strong, and athletic so he can take advantage of you down low but he also has the ability to knock it in from the outside. “I can't believe the hands on this kid, he has the prettiest lay ups and reverses out of all the big men I know. I have never had a better guy to bring out my toughness with either, we literally beat each other up in practices, in the end, we were the toughest kids at Nationals by far” says Galick, a fellow teammate of Jakes on the provincial team. It’s a
consensus amongst everyone that knows Jake; he is a tough as nails. This summer he helped guide the U-17 to one of the most successful showings in recent years only dropping 3 games the entire summer. All-star point guard Tyler Kepkay knows how special Jake was to the team. “Jake is extremely agile for a big man. He runs the floor excellently and has great range for his position. He also made my job much easier because he has great hands in catching post feeds. I would love it when he would set screens for me because he would always get me open.” Mike Hull, another one of Jake’s teammates from the provincial team can’t say enough about him. “Jake is the toughest player I know. For his size he’s got amazing touch under the hoop. He’s as strong as an ox and if he gets low he WILL seal you and he WILL score. He has the ability to take his game outside the perimeter and knock down 3’s consistently. He’s simply a great player and a pleasure and an honor playing with.”
Jake hasn’t always been this monster on the basketball court, he has worked hard on his game to get to the point of where he is at now. He credits much of his development to the Coaching staff of the U-17 provincial team. “My experience playing for the U-17 team this summer was fun and exciting. The coaching staff was strict but nice and they definitely helped my game develop. They helped me get a better understanding of team skills and they helped improve my overall game” says Doerksen. U-17 Head Coach Scott Allen noticed Jakes’ work ethic and willingness to improve from day 1. 
“I have to admit I wasn't a big advocate of Jacob in the initial tryouts as he came into the regional ID camp out of shape and a little lethargic. After being challenged in this regard Jake made huge strides in improving his cardio for Super Camp. The willingness to see a weakness and turn it into a strength was what made me believe in him. By the time we reached the Big Time Tournament in Las Vegas I believe he was now playing to his ability. Jacob has an uncanny way to use his body to his advantage. Jakes footwork in the post and his understanding of angles became very evident as each game his scoring touch increased” says Allen. “Jake was also very impressive in his play behind the arc. Jake led the U17 Provincial Team in 3 point shooting percentage at the Nationals. This inside outside game fits him very well and bodes well for his future. Any coach who receives the opportunity to have Jake play for them will be successful as he brings an immeasurable act of class on and off the court.”
Jake Doerksen is currently leading the #10 ranked Rick Hansen Hurricanes into uncharted territory. The Hurricanes are looking to secure a top 6 spot at the Fraser Valley’s which would ensure them a spot at the provincials, a task that would take an outstanding performance by Jake but something that he’s looking forward too.
DRIVE would like to wish Jake and his Rick Hansen teammates the best of luck this season.
