Alan Harrington, who takes over from Shawn McCarvill, previously coached the Kensington Intermediate-Senior High (KISH) midget boys.
“I know most of them, and go right back to mini (basketball) with the (East Prince) Sting with some of them,” said Harrington. “I have coached most of them before in junior high.”
The Torchmen travel to Morell tonight for their first regular-season game in the P.E.I. School Athletic Association Senior Boys Basketball League against the Marlins.
“They are certainly excited,” said Harrington. “They are very optimistic. I know the last couple of years there have not been a lot of wins.
“They are aiming to try and change that. There seems to be a decent amount of optimism.
“I’ve never had a group of kids who worked this hard before. That’s always reason for optimism as well.”
The Torchmen are preparing for a busy season.
“We have 16 (regular-season) games, and we’re going to four tournaments as well as the (KISH) alumni tournament,” added Harrington. “They are all very excited about that (alumni tournament). They want to win that one.
“Like I said, they are working really hard. We have been going (practising) every day.”
Leadership
The Torchmen’s three Grade 12s – centre Ben McCarvill, shooting guard Harmi Singh and shooting guard Kyle Albert – will be looked to for leadership.
“We have a lot of young players, and they are coming together very well,” added Harrington.
“I know most of them, and go right back to mini (basketball) with the (East Prince) Sting with some of them. I have coached most of them before in junior high.” - Kensington head coach Alan Harrington
The team captains are McCarvill (Grade 12), forward/guard Mitchell Bernard (Grade 11) and guard Aidan Harrington (Grade 10).
“We have to rely on our speed,” said Harrington. “We don’t have a 6’5” player. Ben’s our centre, and he’s about 6’1”.
“We’re focusing on speed and fast break, and we’re hoping to run and gun a little. . .
“There’s nobody particularly short, nobody particularly tall. We are all around the same height – everybody is hovering high fives and low six.”
Like most small schools, this year’s edition of the Torchmen features some multiple-sport athletes.
“We have a great group of athletes for sure,” said Harrington. “Most of them have made a commitment to put basketball first for the season.”
Roster
Kensington Torchmen’s basketball roster:
Grade 12s
Ben McCarvill, forward
Kyle Albert, guard
Harmi Singh, guard
Grade 11s
Ben Grady, forward
Dakota Bonnell, forward
Alex Montgomery, forward
Aaron Nunn, forward
James Ross, forward
Mitchell Bernard, forward/guard
Nick Linkletter, forward/guard
Grade 10s
Aidan Harrington, guard
Jake Reynonds, forward
Bradley McKenna, guard
Patrick Clark, forward
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