Once in a lifetime opportunity
Hurricanes’ P.E.I. players excited to host ACAA championships in Charlottetown
“It means a lot to me. Growing up here, I never really thought I would be playing basketball on the Island after high school, but here I am and I’m looking forward to it.”
Nick Mills
Competing for a championship is something every athlete wants to do, but to have the chance to do it at home in front of friends and family is something only a few athletes get to experience.
“It means a lot to me. Growing up here, I never really thought I would be playing basketball on the Island after high school, but here I am and I’m looking forward to it,” said Nick Mills of Cornwall, one of three Holland Hurricanes from Prince Edward Island.
The Hurricanes are hosting the 2024 Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) basketball championships March 1-3 at the Mcmillan Centre for Community Engagement.
The event features 12 teams – six men and six women.
Both Hurricanes’ teams play quarter-final games on Feb. 3. The women’s team faces St. Thomas at 11 a.m., and the men’s squad takes on UNBSJ at 3 p.m.
Having the opportunity to do go after a title on home court is something Stratford, P.E.I.’S Amy Plaggenhoef is also looking forward to.
“It’s really exciting that it’s hosted in my hometown because we have the home crowd. We have really good fans that come out and show support every week, and to have my friends and family so close, it’s going to be great,” said Plaggenhoef.
Charlottetown’s Alexa Rancourt is looking forward to what the crowd will add to the game.
“My parents go to every game they can, so I think it will be fine because the crowd will get into and it will make us more pumped up,” said Rancourt.
While the Hurricanes do have fans come out every weekend to watch them, they are hoping to see more students, other athletes and more fans taking in championship weekend.
HOST TEAMS
The Hurricanes men’s team didn’t have the strongest start to the season but was able to turn it around after the Christmas break. Head coach Tim Kendrick knew they had
to be better.
“I think all of us, I think our players and the coaching staff, were all disappointed with ourselves after that,” said Kendrick.
“We knew we had to be better.
“We got a couple of real key additions at Christmas time that have played great for us. We have played more like we thought we could play.”
The women’s team had an up-and-down year, finishing fifth with a record of 10-8. While it isn’t a bad season, they know that they will have to work hard to bring home the banner.
“The girls are excited to show their talent in front of a big crowd and we’re ready to get this thing going,” said Chris Connolly, head coach of the women’s basketball team, adding the atmosphere, with the football team going, is going to be a lot of fun.
Both Holland College coaches are both looking forward at showcasing the amount of skill and talent on their teams.
“You have to prepare them for the atmosphere and the pressure of having one game to keep going, so that’s what we're working on. We have a great group of girls that are working hard and have been since September,” said Connolly.
Kendrick described the level of play in the ACAA as an exciting brand of basketball.
“If there are people out there who haven’t seen real high calibre playoff basketball, it’s just a fantastic opportunity,” said Kendrick.
“I’m sure our football team will be here and our other athletes from the school. It will be loud, and it will be exciting.”