'No Regrets'-The Sequel
On June 7th, 2008 the Quinn Keast Foundation hosteda celebration of basketball on the North Shore and Richmond. Quinn was passionate about the game of basketball and the Quinn Keast Foundation has been passionate about supporting the game and its athletes in the province of British Columbia.
On June 7th,2008 basketball players of all ages, all shapes and sizes took on the task to shoot 100,000 shots at several venues in the Lower Mainland. Quinn committed to taking 100,000 shots during the summer leading up to his championship season in 2005/06 at Handsworth. This event was a tribute to what Quinn set out to accomplish that summer, but it was also intended to encourage players of all ages to get out and participate in the game of basketball and appreciate what can be accomplished by dedication and perseverance. Shooting and compiling of shot counts took place at Handsworth, Argyle and R.C. Palmer Secondary Schools as well as Capilano College. Over 169,000 shots were taken that day at the 4 venues.
During the evening of June 7th, the focus shifted to Cap College for a basketball double-header. The first game was the North Shore Young Stars Classic that matched the 2007-08 North Shore graduating All-Stars against an Alumni Team of all-stars from prior years. The game proved to be extremely competitive, but more importantly it brought together basketball players from different years allowing them to connect within the spirit of competition.
The headline game that night featured a re-match of the 2004 Howe Sound Championship Finals between Handsworth and Argyle. That best of three series has been described by many as some of the best and most exciting basketball ever played on the North Shore. In February, 2004 the Argyle gym was packed every night, students attended in record numbers. Green and gold, and royal blue and gold were the colours of the day. The basketball was unbelievably competitive as the two best teams in the province battled through a best-of-three series for one spot in the Provincial AAA Tournament. There was double overtime, buzzer beaters, massive dunks, and of course people still talk about the broken rim!
"Those games were simply amazing to be a part of. Each game embraced so many stand alone moments that I still play it over and over again in my head '“ they will forever be etched in my memories." Glen Chu, Coach Argyle
The 2008 re-match was set up to be a "friendly" but there is no question that when the players donned their respective school colors it was "game on". The Argyle Pipers were led by active CIS players Sean Burke (SFU), Ben Frisby (Waterloo), Kevin Shaw (SFU), Sinclair Brown (SFU/Waterloo) and Mac Fairbairn (Saskatchewan). An unfortunate injury a few days before the game left Scott Morrison (Portland State) in a cast on each broken wrist cheering on from the bench. The Handsworth Royals were led by NCAA players Tyler Kepkay (Utah) and Rob Sacre (Gonzaga) who were given permission by the NCAA to participate in the charity event. Supporting Sacre and Kepkay playing for the Handsworth Royals were Cam Mowat (Bishop's) and Scott Leigh (Alberta).
Both teams had strong supporting casts as the event was not to be missed by those who played and coached back in 2004. Staying true to form, the Argyle Pipers emerged victorious and won the game to maintain bragging rights on the North Shore but in the end the score did not really matter (except, perhaps, to the players). The energy in the gym that night brought back memories of previous meetings and rekindled relationships across the basketball community.
"What I remember most about that series was definitely the energy and the passion that the crowds had from the beginning of each game, it was an unbelievable atmosphere for high school sports!" Tyler Kepkay
To top things off, "No Regrets '“ The Sequel" partnered with the "Hoops 4 Hope" charity which supports youth development in southern Africa though its basketball/ life-skills program. Attendees of the event were encourages to bring along used basketball shoes which were eventually shipped to South Africa. At halftime, the basketball court was lined with shoes in a unique and memorable ceremony. Over 1,000 pairs of shoes were collected and have now landed in Africa through the generous donation by Western Stevedoring of a shipping container and storage facilities.
More importantly the event brought together the basketball community from across the Lower Mainland for what can only be described as a complete celebration of the game.
