.: Drivebasketball.com Related Content:
.: Check out exclusive game hi-lites of St.George's vs Centenial here.
.: St.George's Varsity Head Coach Brian Lee is scheduled as the keynote Guest Speaker at DRIVE Basketball's Spring Break Camp. For more information on the camp and registration, click here
.: St.George's ultra-creative lead guard Alex Murphy, and dynamic swingman Bol Kong were both members of DRIVE's Top Underclassmen list. For a review of the complete list, click here.
Coach Brian Lee's and St.George's 'Core Covenants'
1. Relentess and tenacious workers.
2. Close-Knit Team with solid chemistry.
3. High Enthusiasm and Love for the Game.
"Since our first practice of the season we have focused on these core covenants, and we believe that as we continue to develop and focus on these ideals, we will be quite content with the end results of the season.”
St.George's Coach Brian Lee on his team's philosphy to focus on the process of his team's goals, rather than the outcome.
(See DRIVE Student-Athlete Lifeskills series on Volume I: Goal-Setting here)
“Brian's always enthusiastic at practices and always pushes us so we reach our full potential. His knowledge of the sport surpasses any other coach that I have played for. He cares about the game and his players and that’s what I love about him.”
St.George's Lead Guard Alex Murphy on Head Coach Brian Lee.
“This is my first year coaching at St. Georges and the way that they run their program is just like a college program. I know that the majority of players on our team are young but what they lack in age they make up for with their desire to be the best and their ability to play the game. The environment that is created for them is perfect to excel in for any player.”
Jordan Mason, St. George's Assistant Coach, DRIVE's Assistant Coach
(Pictured: The Saint Georges Varsity team has been on a roll since their only loss of the season to Handsworth (by one point) in early December. They look to continue their stellar play this week in the Lower Mainland tournament where they square off vs McMath (Thursday 6:45 @ New West Sr. Secondary) and hope to play either Kitsilano or New Westminster in the final on Saturday)
TEAM SPOTLIGHT: ST. GEORGE'S SAINTS
The St. Georges basketball team is on a roll after the Christmas break only losing 1 game this season to Canadian competition. They have arguably the best back court in BC and they bolster a starting line up that features 4 grade elevens. St. George’s heads into this weekends Lower Mainland’s as the 3rd ranked team in BC facing McMath in Semi-final action hoping to build on their success so far this season. The Head Coach for St.George's, Brian Lee is in his 6th season at the helm and his team’s current record is 20-1 while he leads one of the most talented group of players in BC. Although this team has been flying under the radar for much of the season, it is clear that this team belongs in the same breath as B.C. stalwarts like Argyle, WRCA and Handsworth.
According to St. Georges Head Coach Brian Lee, the successful formula started back in the beginning of the season. “During our first team meeting of the season we collectively decided on a few team goals that we wanted to achieve as a group. It was at that point that we agreed to establish 3 core covenants or team characteristics that were important to us” says Lee. “In other words, if someone were to observe our team practices or watch us compete in a game on any given day, what images or characteristics of our team would they walk away with? It had to be something that was both obvious and consistent. We decided that an important team goal was to develop our core covenants. Three of these covenants include the following:
1. Relentless and tenacious workers. 2. Close-knit team with solid chemistry. 3. High enthusiasm and love for the game. Since our first practice of the season we have focused on these core covenants, and we believe that as we continue to develop and focus on these ideals, we will be quite content with the end results of the season.” The Saints are focusing on the process not the outcome and that has a large part to do with their season thus far. Having some extremely talented players doesn’t hurt as well. Grade 11 all-star
point guard Alex Murphy, credits much of his team’s success this year to their Head Coach, “ Brian's always enthusiastic at practices and always pushes us so we reach our full potential. His knowledge of the sport surpasses any other coach that I have played for. He cares about the game and his players and that’s what I love about him.” The love and passion for the game is something that is contagious to all the players.
Brian Lee credits much of his team’s accomplishments to their commitment to excellence. “ Our successful play is greatly attributed to how well our guys have competed and worked in our practices. Once our guys lace up their shoes and step onto the practice floor they really do a great job in challenging one another. Some of our match-ups in practices are very intense and the guys really get up for the battles. Additionally, our level of conditioning has allowed us to wear down our opponents through the course of our games. We have held all but two of our opponents this year to fewer than 68 points at the end of the game and only four teams have scored more than 24 points in the first half. Our ability to defend is certainly one of our strengths.” Murphy agrees, “With Mr. Lee's great coaching, we know what it take to win. Our defence is what we stand for as a team.” Anyone that has faced St. Georges can attest to that statement with their size and athleticism.
St. Georges relies on their youthful exuberance and fresh legs to stifle their opponents. St. Georges Assistant Coach Jordan Mason (Drive Basketball Assistant Coach) knows that it’s hard to win with grade elevens but he has that special feeling. “This is my first year coaching at St. Georges and the way that they run their program is just like a college program. I know that the majority of players on our team are young but what they lack in age they make up for with their desire to be the best and their ability to play the game. The environment that is created for them is perfect to excel in for any player.” Brian Lee agrees, his team is young but most of them are from last year’s team that played in the Provincials. “ In total we have four grade 12 players and nine grade 11 players. Although we are a relatively young team (grade/age), three of our current grade 11 players contributed major minutes at the varsity level last year. Their collective experience in playing on the Agrodome floor will hopefully prove to be an asset during the latter stages of this season. The grade 12 players on our team all have contributing roles that play a very important part in our overall performances. To be honest, the idea that four of our five starters are 11th graders does not really weigh heavily on my thoughts.” With the way that they are playing, it shouldn’t.
The Saints continue their hot streak as they easily advanced past the first 2 rounds of the Lower Mainland’s. The games are only going to get tougher from here but if there’s anything that this squad knows is that a little hard work never hurt anybody.
DRIVE would like to wish the St. Georges Basketball senior basketball team the best of luck this season.
