MRHS kicks off hoops season with 37th Marquis Invitational

The 2008-09 local high school basketball season tips off on Saturday, Nov. 15 when Middleton Regional High School hosts the 37th annual senior boys Marquis Invitational Tournament.

Back to defend its Marquis title won last November is Bridgewater High. The Vikings went on to capture the 2008 Provincial Division 2 Championship in March and have as many as seven returnees this season. A player to watch is Bridgewater center Alex Harding rated as one of the top big men in the Western Region.

Bridgetown, in its first appearance at the Marquis in many years, is expected to be a solid contender. Under coach Mark Wolverton the Division 3 Trojans have been in an upward swing over the past couple of years. Expected to be prominent on the Bridgetown roster are returning forward Jeff McNeil and incoming Grade 10 sensation Josh Murray. Both were noteworthy performers in the Middleton Summer Basketball league this past summer.

The Division 1 Yarmouth Vikings also may well challenge for top spot. Coach Tom MacMillan looks for good mileage in a mostly returning backcourt and rebuilt frontcourt. The Vikings return eight players from last year’s team, including Grade 12 starters Aaron Doucette, Ben Deviller, and Garet Lawrence, plus a promising group of Grade 10 players.

The Middleton Martens for the third year running have a roster laden with players with limited experience. Third-year returnee Jon Headdy along with second-year guards Cory Charlton and Cody Spidle are being called on to spark the Martens on the perimeter. Duties inside the paint fall to second-year forwards Rupert Weaver and Joey Bitar, joined by rookies Ryan McNeil and Collin Banks. Michael Peters and International student Augusto Oliveira also should help Middleton’s inside game. Other newcomers include a pair of first-year swing men, Ryan Sabean and Kevin Khemapukpong.

Action in the four-team round robin is in the form of morning, afternoon and evening double-headers.

The tip off is Saturday at 9 a.m. when Middleton takes on local rival Bridgetown, followed at 10:45 a.m. by Bridgewater against Yarmouth.

In afternoon games it’s Bridgetown and Bridgewater at 1:30 p.m. and Yarmouth versus Middleton at 3:15 a.m.

Evening matchups will see Bridgetown playing Yarmouth at 6:00 pm and Middleton squaring off with Bridgewater at 7:45 pm.

The Marquis Tournament provides exciting high school basketball to fans in the area. Tickets will be on sale to the general public at the door.

--Submitted