SJS Make History with BC 1A Provincial Championship Win

A thrilling finish to an unforgettable season—SJS’s Senior Boys’ basketball team made history by winning their first ever provincial championship.

In an exciting, heart-pounding match against high school basketball powerhouse Unity Christian the SJS team triumphed with an 87–82 victory, cementing their place in the school’s history books forever.

The championship game was no easy feat. The SJS Eagles were no.1 seeds but playing against Unity Christian, a school with a strong legacy having made the provincial final for five out of the last six years and winning four of those finals.

Despite their opponents’ strong record, SJS delivered a gutsy performance from start to finish, bringing it back from being 14 points at the start of the fourth quarter, showing the grit and determination that ultimately led to their victory this season.

Outstanding Individual Performances

The win was made even sweeter by several standout performances. Captain Viv Anderson-Francois, Grade 12, was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) showcasing exceptional skill and leadership throughout the competition. His efforts on both ends of the floor were pivotal in securing the win for SJS, although he credits vice-captain Sam Yazdi for Saturday’s win: “Sam kept us mentally in that game—full credit to him—he won us that game.”

Meanwhile, Kian Afshar, Grade 11, and Lucas Pawlowski, Grade 11, were named as tournament all-stars.

In addition, Douglas Cassidy, Grade 10, earned the title of Player of the Game after a key contribution in the final moments of the championship match. His clutch plays and timely scoring helped seal the deal and send the team and the many SJS supporters in the crowd into celebration mode! See the full team roster below.

A Mastermind on the Sidelines

Celebrating his 40th year in school basketball and 24th year at SJS, Coach Kinman was named Coach of the Tournament, recognizing the crucial role he played in getting our Senior Boys to this level and to victory in this year’s championship.

Coach Kinman’s strategic approach, game preparation and ability to inspire the players shone through in this historic victory. Under his guidance, the team not only showcased exceptional skills but also an unshakeable sense of unity and determination. In his locker-room speech to the team after the championship win, he said: “Being together, that’s what all of this is about. All of us were together today and no-one can ever break that. Not next year, or the year after, that blue banner signifies that this group was together and always will be. This is the greatest moment of our school’s history as far as sports go. I’m so proud of you.”

A Legacy Built Together

As the final buzzer echoed through the Langley Events Centre, the impact of this victory extended beyond just the players on the court. This provincial championship isn’t just a win, it’s the culmination of years of dedication, perseverance and unity from not only the team but also the coaches, families and supporters who have stood by them throughout their journey.

Coach Kinman’s leadership has been a steady force throughout the history of SJS Basketball, but it’s important to recognize the collective effort of the entire coaching team. Coach Ilkiw and our assistant coaches, which includes three SJS alumni (Alex Smith, Class of 2021, Ollie Tsai, Class of 2020 and George Tse, Class of 2019), SJS parent Patrick Francois, and Rob McCall, who all worked tirelessly behind the scenes ensuring our players are at their best. Every individual contributed to the success that is now etched into the school’s athletic history.

SJS has officially entered a new era, where anything is possible. And the blue banner will be hung proudly in the Gunn Gym after spring break, forever acting as a reminder of this incredible team and the magic they made together on the court.

Team Roster

Head Coach: Jonathan Kinman
Assistant Coaches: Andrew Ilkiw, Patrick Francois, Rob McCall, Alex Smith, Oliver Tsai, George Tse
Trainer: Terry Jiang

Links and Media

• Watch a video created and recorded by Mr. Mullen of the final experience.
• YouTube video of highlights from the final.
• Article on The Province
• Article on Varsity Letters celebrating Coach Kinman.
• Article on BCHighSchoolBasketballChampionships.com
• Article on various syndicated media outlets

Do you know of more media or have some photos to share? Let us know at communications@sjs.ca.

Photos by Vivian Chan Visuals.