In an offseason where he whet his international coaching appetite again and brought in two of the biggest transfer in program history, UBC head coach Kevin Hanson has made a statement that nothing will remain static heading into the 2018-19 season. (Photo by Richard Lam property of UBC athletics)
Feature University Men's Basketball

UBC men’s basketball notebook: Luka’s official farewell tonight, offensive systems get tune-up, ass’t coaching hunt begins

VANCOUVER — In the lead-up to tonight’s men’s basketball friendly at War Memorial Gymnasium between the UBC Thunderbirds and Team China (7 p.m., $5 tickets), we clean up a busy week of news surrounding the local team with a Varsity Letters’ notebook.

UBC's latest recruit, rising fourth-year point guard Jadon Cohee has big goals for both himself and the Thunderbirds' basketball program. (Photo by Richard Lam property of UBC athletics)
Whether he's lined up in the backfield or the slot, expect South Delta's rising senior Andrew Kraft (right, 32) to be a workhorse for the No. 5-ranked AAA South Delta Sun Devils this coming season. (Photo by Howard Tsumura property of Varsity Letters)
Feature High School Football

Big Ben’s time has come! It’s more McDonald DNA as South Delta’s AAA No. 5 Sun Devils look to rise again

TSAWWASSEN — It may be a twist to say, but if the South Delta Sun Devils football team can play with the same unbridled passion and physicality that its senior boys rugby team showed en route to a B.C. Triple A Tier 1 title earlier this month, there will be no counting them out of […]

UBC Thunderbirds' head coach Kevin Hanson had plenty of reasons to smile as he welcomed rising fourth-year shooting guard Manroop Clair into the fold on Monday at War Gym. (Photo by Richard Lam property of UBC athletics)
Feature High School Boys Basketball University Men's Basketball

The rare air of UBC’s Manroop Clair: Few in all of university hoops can dial distance with the aplomb of ‘Birds newest recruit

VANCOUVER — There is simply no way to understate just how deep and dangerous the UBC Thunderbirds men’s basketball team got when the news hit Monday that former Burnaby South Rebels’ star Manroop Clair would, this coming season, adorn himself in blue and gold and resume his university basketball career on the Point Grey campus.In […]

Vernon head coach Sean Smith has reminded his Panthers that No. 1 rankings exist only on paper. (Photo by Howard Tsumura property of VarsityLetters.com)
Feature High School Football

AA’s team to beat! With talent galore, Vernon’s No. 1-ranked Panthers need to stay hungry in quest of elusive Subway Bowl B.C. title

Welcome to an upcoming season in which they are overwhelming favourites, a season in which their ability to remain mentally grounded will be every bit as critical as their ability to unleash their unquestioned cache of physical skills on the football field.

Hugh Boyd's Reace Mok used speed and elusiveness to rush for over 1,900 yards and 20 touchdowns over the final two seasons of his senior varsity career with the Trojans. (Photo by Mark Booth property of the Richmond News)
Feature High School Football University Football

Hugh Boyd’s Reace Mok: Simon Fraser’s incoming ‘make ’em miss’ running back brings a different kind of height to the fight

RICHMOND — Reace Mok is quick enough to dodge almost anything, yet bring up the compact nature of his physique and the contrast it has always created on the gridiron, and you discover how fast he can also use words to diffuse any concerned first impressions.

John Barsby head coach Rob Stevenson chats with his then-Grade 10 starting quarterback Cameron Wright during the 2016 Subway Bowl AA junior varsity final at B.C. Place Stadium. (Photo by Howard Tsumura property of VarsityLetters.ca)
Feature High School Football

Home sweet dome! Despite decorated history, No. 2 Barsby Bulldogs have not tread on B.C. Place turf since 2014

NANAIMO — When last we left the current decade’s most dominant B.C.-based AA senior varsity football program, at its home away from home, aka B.C. Place Stadium, its weather-worn but wise head coach was floating in his favourite place.

Surrey-Tamanawis grad Sukhjot Bains, after four years in the U.S., is returning to B.C. and will suit up for the Fraser Valley Cascades this coming season. (Photo by Dan Kinvig property of UFV athletics)
Feature High School Boys Basketball University Men's Basketball

A Cascade of influence! UFV hits a rainmaker as ex-Tamanawis star Sukhjot Bains bids adieu to D1 Wisc-Green Bay

ABBOTSFORD — The player B.C. high school coaches voted the No. 1 senior talent in the province following the 2013-14 season has led a nomadic existence the past four years within the delivery system of U.S. college basketball.

Ballenas Whalers' quarterback Ben Chomolok helped lead his team to the Subway Bowl AA junior varsity title game. This coming season he will run the show for the No. 3-ranked Whalers senior varsity. (Photo by Howard Tsumura property of VarsityLetters.ca)
Feature High School Football

Batten down the hatches! Parksville’s AA No. 3-ranked Ballenas Whalers ready to sail into title-contending waters

On Tuesday, we unveiled the G.W. Graham Grizzlies as our No. 4-ranked team in Varsity Letters’ preseason Big 5 Double A high school football rankings. Today, we get back to the countdown by making a stop on Vancouver Island at Parksville where we visit with the No. 3-ranked Ballenas Whalers.