The 2018 Boston Pizza sa国际传媒 Junior Curling Championships move into the Page playoffs today in Langley, and the most courageous story of the event came from a member of a team that went winless through the week-long event.
Brenna Drought, third on Kayla Wilson鈥檚 split Juan de Fuca/Kerry Park rink, gave an inspirational speech on Wednesday, two days after the Mill Bay-based curler lost her mother, Anne, to cancer.
鈥淚 came here on Monday and had a great time. Unfortunately, I got the call that my mom was not doing well and was in her last hours. I called her and spoke to her,鈥� Drought said. 鈥淲hen I woke up the next morning I found out she was gone.
鈥淚 was fortunate to say my last goodbyes, not everyone gets that,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 know you may never have been touched by cancer or its effects, but you probably know someone who has.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not easy, especially for those who have to go through it, but also those who are around them. I want you to know I came back [to Langley] because I love the sport. I came back to play for my mom and the only thing I can ask is that you all play for her and play for anyone else who has ever fought cancer. Thank you very much for your support. Good luck and good curling,鈥� she told the group.
Drought was unanimously chosen as the winner of the Flora Martin sportsmanship award by her peers and all curlers wore pink cancer awareness bracelets and stickers to honour her mom. The Wilson rink also included Loganne Bell at second, Sasha Wilson at lead and fifth Cassandra Blenkin and coach Len Stewart, who was also honoured with the Asham coach鈥檚 award.
Connor Deane, second on Johnson Tao鈥檚 Richmond rink, won the Gordon Hooey sportsmanship award for the junior men.
On the ice, Alex Horvath鈥檚 Victoria Curling Club rink 鈥� with Ryan Cassidy at third, Zane Bartlkett at second and lead Tim Henderson 鈥� finished second with a 5-2 record and advanced to the Page 1-2 game against round-robin leader and defending champ Tyler Tardi, whose Langley team finished 6-1. Kyle Habkirk鈥檚 Victoria CC/Royal City team lost its final round-robin game 4-3 to Matthew McCrady to just miss the playoffs.
McCrady, of Royal City (4-3), faces clubmate Dawson Ballard (5-2) in the Page 3-4 game today, with the winner advancing to face the Page 1-2 loser.
On the junior women鈥檚 side, Sarah Daniels鈥� Royal City/Delta rink and Elizabeth Bowles of Royal City both clinched their playoff spots on Wednesday. Daniels finished atop the standings at 6-1 with Boyles at 5-2. Taylor Reese-Hansen of Victoria 鈥� with Catera Park at third, Jordan Koster at second and lead Sydney Brilz 鈥� finished third at 4-3, while a tiebreaker late Thursday between Everly Royea of Langley and Alysha Buchy of Kimberley (also both 4-3) would determine the final playoff spot.
Championship finals are set for Saturday at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and will be live-streamed on Curl BC TV at sportscanada.tv/curlbc. The winners will represent the province at the 2018 New Holland Canadian Junior Men鈥檚 and Women鈥檚 Curling Championships, Jan. 13-21 at the Centre municipal de curling de Shawinigan and the Ar茅na de Grand-M猫re.
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