Handsworth Graduate Scholarship
Each year a graduating basketball player from Handsworth is selected for one of the school's major awards, the Quinn Keast Award. The recipient is selected by the school's Scholarship Committee and represents the qualities that Quinn stood for of sportsmanship and dedication as a student-athlete and member of the school community.
2022 Matthys Van Bylandt (SFU)
2021 roger o’callaghan (St. Francis Xavier)
Roger is a natural leader, both on and off the floor. He was nominated by each of his coaches while playing Bantam Basketball in 2017, Juvenile Basketball in 2018, and Junior Basketball in 2019 for the Quinn Keast award handed out at Handsworth’s Basketball Banquet each year. Roger also served as the Handsworth Grad Class of 2021’s valedictorian.
2020 George Horn (Western Univ.)
George captained the Handsworth Senior Boys Basketball Team for two years and earned a myriad of awards in doing so. Every time he steps on the floor, Coach Randy Storey describes George as always being “all in”, and a player that he can count on. George has also been a member of the BC U-17 team. He is a leader on the floor, and has the utmost respect for everyone, from coaches to teammates to referees.
2019 scott watson (capilano university)
Scott is described by his coach, Randy Storey, as a “basketball keener…carrying a ball around with him daily at school”. This developed from a young age at sports camps. He put in early mornings and late nights at the local recreation centers and weight rooms. In his senior year, he was dominant in the post. Much like Quinn, he was shy, not boisterous.
2018 Blake McLean (Queen’s University)
Blake is a competitive force on the floor. Dominating at both ends of the floor, he led Handsworth in another successful season including capturing first place at the prestigious BRIT’s 50th annual tournament in Saskatoon, where Blake was named MVP.
2017 amir hajisifar
Amir is one who will put aside his ego for the betterment of his team. Coach Cam Mowat describes Amir as being "physically gifted with both his size and his basketball skills, which he has worked hard to hone." Amir consistently works hard to be a better defensive player.
2016 oana lapuste (ubc)
Oana is one of those special young women that rarely comes along who displays exceptional character, commitment and drive. Not only on the basketball court but also in the classroom, to her part-time job and is very dedicated to her family and church. Somehow Oana found a way to handle it all with grace, determination and kindness. She was a key starter for the Sr. Girls and could score in many different ways. She was also asked to guard the best players in the Province every night throughout a very tough Sr. Girls' schedule. She led Handsworth's team in most minutes played, averaging 33 minutes per game; first in assists per game; third in points per game and third in rebounds per game.
2015 alanna martin (wilfrid laurier)
Throughout her three years on the Handsworth Senior Girls Basketball team, Alanna showed tenacity, intensity and heart. Coach Scott Palmer describes Alanna as "one of those people who will make a difference in our world...she is consistently striving to reach her goals with exceptional commitment and the courage and grit to get there."
Alanna led Handsworth's Senior Girls team in almost every category including points, rebounds and assists per game. She also led the 2015 Senior Girls team to its first Crehan Cup championship since 2010. Coach Palmer goes on to say that "despite Alanna's conviction and relentless focus, she also demonstrates sportsmanship towards this great game...extending to her teammates, coaches, opponents and referees."
2014 adam karmali (dalhousie)
Adam excelled not only at Senior Basketball, but also Senior Boys soccer and tennis. Adam was a member of the Handsworth Student Council as treasurer and has kept up Honour Roll with Distinction throughout his five years. Outside of school, Adam is an Ismaili youth volunteer at the community Mosque.
On the floor, Adam averages 27 points per game, leading the North Shore league in scoring. His coach, also his father, describes Adam as a player who "gets everyone else involved" and is a natural leader: "He's smart on the court, and almost thinks like a coach." Adam will be attending Dalhousie next year in their Commerce program and playing varsity basketball for their men's team.
2013 charlie horn (queen’s university)
Charlie exemplifies in every way the qualities that Quinn stood for and which the Foundation wishes to encourage in others with this Award and scholarship. Charlie is dedicated to excellence in every endeavour. A multi-talented athlete, he has participated at the provincial level in rugby and basketball as well as played baseball and inline Hockey. Charlie has been awarded the top scholar athlete award for the past three years as well as averaged 97% in a demanding academic course load this year. In addition to excellence in athletics and academics, he has been involved in Challenger baseball as a buddy to a disabled player. As Captain of the Senior boys basketball team he has lead by example and support of his team mates.
2012 jaime hills (ubc, ryerson)
In the words of Scott palmer, Jaime’s coach at Handsworth for her 3 years of senior basketball: “Her many achievements belie her age. She has a very strong work ethic and time management skills…She is relentless in her pursuit of basketball and works tirelessly behind the scenes at getting better each day”. Jaime prides herself in team play, a hallmark of the QKF recipients generally. This, among many other factors, resulted in her selection as team captain in only her Gr. 11 year. She takes on the opposition’s best player and does not back down. In the pursuit of a rebound or loose ball she is unstoppable, out-playing her size. Every coach wants one and every team needs one: Jaime Hills.
2011 john leong (Capilano university)
John spent a lot of time on the Foundation radar having been nominated by his coach for the Quinn Keast Award at Handsworth when he was in Grade 9 and Grade 11. Coach Randy Storey of the Handsworth Senior Boys’ team identified John as a person and player who has many qualities that make him a worthy choice. When in high school, he was a year-round basketball player who exhibited the desire and dedication to beat the competition. What Coach Storey admired most was that John took responsibility to be competitive at every aspect of his game: rebounding, defending, scoring, passing and ball-handling. All of this he did unselfishly. These characteristics are the cornerstones of players who put teams in a good position to play well on the floor. Like Quinn, John didn’t back down in game situations when he was working against a tough match-up; he just dug in more. receiving the MVP as the end of the season.
2010 Angela White (Langara, UBCo)
Angela epitomizes determination, a constant focus to get better, and a nothing-will-stop-me attitude. She was the most improved player on her Handsworth Royals team in her Grade 12 year and nothing less than sensational all season from the outset to a repeat AAA Provincial Championship. She was the unsung hero and a model of consistency on every possession. Her coach chose her to be on the floor for as long as she could last and in every key situation. Her contributions were recognized by selection to the All-Star Team at the 2010 Lower Mainland Championships and the 2010 AAA Provincial Championships. But above all it was her '˜team first' attitude which made her truly special: she is a true team player.
2009 Andrew McGuinness (UNIV. of Calgary, UBC)
Andrew played senior basketball for Handsworth from Grades 10 to 12, captaining in Grade 11 and 12. He is not only one who values defense as a means to team achievement, but is a gifted offensive talent. In the mold of Quinn, his character and sportsmanship complement his ability as a complete player. He was a B.C. U-17 player and led the AAA Provincial Tournament in scoring as a Grade 11. More than that he is a likeable and respected person, unselfish and coachable. He demonstrates the drive and maturity to be accountable and to be successful in the pursuit of excellence in any endeavour. As a measure of that he performed the vital role of the player who is handed the ball by the referee to safely inbound for his team.
2008 Kristen Leigh & Beau Eschleman
Kristen has played three years of senior basketball for the Royals and demonstrates a high level of tenacity and heart. She played with conviction at both ends of the court and with an intensity on defense that made opponents shy away from wanting the ball. In her three years the senior Royals finished 4th and 5th and J in the AAA Provincials. Kristen also demonstrates good sportsmanship towards the game and to her teammates, coaches, opponents and referees. Her reliability and commitment to what she takes on to completion extends to school and the community.
2007 Cole Allinger (Mcgill, ubc) & Don Lee
Cole was half of Handsworth's 'Twin Towers' (with Cam Varner) for the 2005-07 seasons. He has a deft left hand for scoring and a strong inside presence as a rebounder. Cole was part of the starting five of the Handsworth 2006 AAA Championship team and a Howe Sound Tournament All-Star in 2007. He was awarded an HBC Basketball Classic scholarship in December, 2006. Cole also threw discus, hammer and shot put for Handsworth.