PORT COQUITLAM — What were the days of B.C. boys high school basketball like in the late 1980s and early 1990s, especially outside of the largest tier of competition?
Terry Fox Ravens’ senior boys basketball co-coach Mark Prinster joins host Howard Tsumura on this week’s Varsity Letters podcast to reflect on what now looks like a golden age!
Prinster and Tsumura were each 23 years old when they met during the 1986-87 season, Prinster as the head coach of Burnaby’s Cariboo Hill Chargers, and Tsumura less than a year into his tenure as the sports editor at The Burnaby NOW newspaper.
The pair chat about the Chargers’ B.C. Single-A championship behind Grade 11 MVP Brian Clements, who later played under Jay Triano at Simon Fraser, then reference such players as Derek Christiansen, Spencer McKay, Chris Brinnen, Brendan Graves, Eric Hinrichsen and Randy Nohr.
Prinster also talks about life these days at Terry Fox with all manner of programs shuttered due to the pandemic, and Tsumura finds out which teachers played an influential role in Prinster’s development as a father, coach and educator.
Varsity Letters, Canada’s only podcast dedicated solely to provincial university and high school sports coverage, is produced by Gabriel Lynn, and available at Apple Music, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Our theme music, Generation Next, is written and performed exclusively for Varsity Letters by Chad Joiner and the MEI Screaming Eagles marching band.
If you’re reading this story or viewing these photos on any website other than one belonging to a university athletic department, it has been taken without appropriate permission. In these challenging times, true journalism will survive only through your dedicated support and loyalty. VarsityLetters.ca and all of its exclusive content has been created to serve B.C.’s high school and university sports community with hard work, integrity and respect. Feel free to drop us a line any time at howardtsumura@gmail.com.
Thank you – very enjoyable interview.