Quite a year for the Kendricks

Mary Kendrick is proud of her family: well she should be, because 2008 has been quite an eventful year for the Kendricks of New Minas.

For those who maybe don’t know her, Mary is the wife of Tim Kendrick and the mother of their three children - Jennifer (Jenn), Joseph (Joe) and Jacob (Jake).

She’s a teacher, but she’s also a proud “sports mom,” not to mention a “sports wife.” She would no doubt agree, being married to Tim, she probably has had little choice over the past 20-plus years but to live, eat, sleep and probably breathe sport.

Mary doesn’t mind – not as far as I know. There are perks to being the mother of a family of athletes. This past year has certainly been one of them.

Let’s start with Jennifer. Last fall, she returned to Mount St. Vincent (from where she had graduated in the spring of 2007) for one more year of study – and Mystics basketball.

“The Mount” had gone undefeated in conference play the previous year, and looked to be just as good, if not better, in 2007/ 2008, especially with Jennifer back at point guard. The Mystics completed a second straight undefeated ACAA season in 2007/ 2008 and, once again, qualified for CCAA nationals (where Jennifer had been a tournament all-star in 2007, the only Atlantic Canada all-star selection). This past season, Jennifer made the all-conference team and helped lead the Mystics not only back to nationals, but to the CCAA championship game, where they earned the silver medal, the first CCAA silver medalist from Atlantic Canada in 30 years. She was selected the Most Valuable Player for the national tournament and, following the season, was named co-MVP of her team for 2007/ 2008. This past season wrapped up an outstanding college career for Jennifer. She was the Mystics’ starting point guard for four seasons, helping her team to an overall record of 89-6, including the two consecutive undefeated seasons in conference play.

Brother Joe, after capping an outstanding career at Horton with a provincial title in 2007, chose Brock University in St. Catharine’s, Ont. for his post-secondary education. One of six rookies to make a Badgers varsity men’s basketball team loaded with fourth- and fifth-year players, Joe was the only team member from outside Ontario. After a good season in conference play, Brock qualified for the CIS Final Eight, advanced to the final against Acadia and won 64-61 for the school’s second CIS title. At the school’s year-end awards reception, Joe was named Rookie of the Year for Badgers men’s basketball. This fall, he is starting for the Badgers as a sophomore, still the only player on the roster from outside Ontario.

Ironically, Joe’s Brock team and Jennifer’s Mount St. Vincent team ended up playing for their respective national titles on the same day.

Younger brother Jake made the Horton D-1 team as a Grade 9 student last fall and, as such, got to be coached by his dad, as Joe had been. He was part of Horton’s undefeated 41-0 season in 2007/ 2008, culminating in the Griffins’ second straight provincial title. At Horton’s year-end awards banquet, Jake was named his team’s Rookie of the Year. This year, he is starting for the Griffins. As of last week, he still hadn’t lost a game in his Horton career: 50-0.

That’s quite a list of accomplishments for one family, and all in the same year.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the year Tim Kendrick had in 2008. Not only did his Horton team not lose a game all year – and win a second straight provincial D-1 title, he was also named coach of the provincial U-17 and Nova Scotia Canada Games boys’ basketball programs. He marked his 20th anniversary as Horton’s coach this fall, and had the school’s annual Tip-Off tournament named for him.

Mary didn’t mention Tim when I spoke to her, choosing to focus instead on the accomplishments of her children, but I’d have to think she’s proud of him, too.