Following an unexpected three day travel experience the VIU Mariners have arrived in New Brunswick and are ready to compete for a CCAA gold medal. (VIU Mariners)

By Dan Marshall

Digging for Gold

Mariners men’s basketball gunning for CCAA title in New Brunswick

Mar 13, 2024 | 1:04 PM

NANAIMO — The VIU Mariners journey towards a CCAA men’s basketball championship has already been a long one – literally.

The travel logistics alone were more than the team bargained for when heading out for Sackville, New Brunswick.

On Sunday, March 10 the Mariners took off from Nanaimo but a flight delay caused them to miss a connecting flight and spend an unexpected night in Calgary.

The delay brought about a detour to Edmonton the next day, an overnight plane trip to Halifax and a three hour bus ride to reach their destination after more than 34 hours of travel.

With the ordeal behind them the Mariners will now put their focus on the their first opponent, the George Brown Huskies out of Ontario.

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Coach Matt Kuzminski expects his side to be fully prepared for a Wednesday, March 13 game at 2 p.m.

“I expect our group to play smart, hard and together. We know who we are and how we need to approach the game and its about executing that game plan with a high level of energy and compete.”

Kuzminski said there are always ups and downs at a national tournament and the extended trip to get there has brought adversity even before the opening tip off.

“As a group we need to be about the next play and stay together. The travel is already testing our next play ability. To have success we will need to be great guard the ball, rebound, play with pace offensively, and our shooters will have to make shots.”

The Mariners have had excellent success at CCAA nationals recently.

In 2023, VIU won a bronze medal and the team brought home a gold medal in 2019.

Before the 2024 tournament began, the Mariners earned a pair of All-Canadian awards from the CCAA.

Makayla Kimble from the women’s squad and Adam Anhold from the men’s team were both recognized.

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