Men’s basketball team captains chosen
By Courtnie Martin, Sports Reporter
Coach Denis Beausoleil took a rather unique approach to the 2013-14 men’s basketball season, allowing the players to choose both of their captains. In the end, guards Andrew Baron and Kristian Hildebrandt were selected. With a young group, both players are learning that in order to be successful, every member of the team has to contribute.
“Andrew is a very hard worker and helpful. He’s the guy we look for to take the scoring load against tough teams. Kristian is just as hard of a worker. Both of my captains are there for any of us that need them,” says first-year player, Elvin Owusu Ansah.
Growing up on the Sunshine Coast where competitive basketball players are hardly ever heard of, Baron went to Elphinstone Secondary. Baron’s athletic inspiration was his brother, and coming to Douglas was a great chance for him to move forward in his basketball career. Baron entered Douglas the same year that coach Beausoleil took the head coaching position. The two built a strong bond and have carried it through the last two seasons.
“The team chose the captains and I think they were both great choices. Andrew and I see eye to eye. He is the only player that has played for me all three years I have been here. Kristian and I are also always on the same page and he is a great guy on and off the court,” says coach Beausoleil.
Hildebrandt was recruited by “mistake.” One day when coach Beausoleil was stopping to get groceries, he decided to walk into a high school basketball game in a Lower Mainland tournament at King George Secondary. When he saw Hildebrandt, he instantly recognized his talent.
After having a rough season last year, Hildebrandt was determined to turn the tables around. He decided in the off season he wanted to change his game, and proceeded to dedicate the entire summer to getting better.
“Kristian didn’t get much of a chance last year, but was selected as co-captain because of his leadership qualities. He is very vocal on and off the court. Honestly, Kristian is the hardest working teammates I’ve ever had. He put in hundreds of hours over the summer and has really improved, so it would be nice to see that translate into his game. We are very similar in how competitive we are so it’s easy to relate to him,” says his fellow captain.
Hildebrandt and Baron both express their enthusiasm in seeing the team implement all that they have worked for as the season begins.
“Drew does a really good job helping me and being on the same page in terms of where we want the team to go. We have a [kinda] good cop, bad cop thing going on—which is great,” says Hildebrandt.
The two are determined that as underdogs, the team has nowhere to climb but up.
