Former Caper Timmons returns to Coal Bowl as coach

Timmons played for the Kingfishers from 1999-2002 and competed for the club at the Coal Bowl in his Grade 12 year. His team finished the event in third place and he was named a first team all-star.

The 6-8 centre went on to star with the Cape Breton University Capers for five seasons, from 2002 to 2007.

“It’s great to be back,” he said. “To play here 10 years ago as a player and then to go to university here, to have the opportunity to take my high school team back, it’s a great experience for my kids.

“Not only to get the experience of staying in the school for a week, this tournament not only is about basketball, but the friendships and the opportunity to meet other teams from east to west.”

The Kingfishers enter play today with an 0-3 record and will vie for their first win in their final round-robin game at 11 a.m. against Mt. Boucherie Secondary School, West Kelowna, B.C.. The Mt. Boucherie Bears are also winless at 0-2.

“We’re in a tough division,” said Timmons. “You have the likes of Three Oaks, who are the best in P.E.I. We play in a metro league that consists of, in my opinion, the best teams in the Maritimes.

“But the competition has been great. We’re not so successful this time around, but they’re having a good time.”

Timmons says his team has been impressed with the crowds the tournament attracts, attendance they don’t see in high school leagues in Halifax.

“They’re bug-eyed as far as the hospitality, what goes on here, how much goes into putting this tournament on,” he said. “The atmosphere, whether it’s up here in the games room or in the gym. The big crowds like the (BEC game Wednesday), they’re just eyes wide open the whole time.”