By Bob Carter
Luc DeGianni (10) approaches setter Zec Johnson for a hit. Photo provided by LFSS
Langley Fundamental, the 2013 AA champion, failed to qualify for last year’s provincial tournament, which was won by league rival MEI. The Titans, ranked fifth this week in AA, would love to make it back in December. They not only have played in some challenging tournaments this fall, but they compete in one of BC’s toughest leagues, the Fraser Valley. Four FVL teams are currently ranked in the top five in AA – MEI first, Langley Christian third, Pacific Academy fourth and then Fundy. Clarence Fulton of Vernon, last year’s runner-up, is ranked second. Fundamental coach Dan Johnson knows what to expect almost every week, especially after coaching many of the league’s top players on the Force U16 club team last season.
“We have a tough league,” Johnson said. “Most games are close.”
Fundy started 3-3 in league play, including a split of two matches with Langley Christian and losses to MEI and Pacific Academy. The Titans have fared well in tournaments, finishing first at Douglas, second at UBC (losing to Fulton in the final) and tying for third at MEI. They also tied for 13th in an extremely strong field at the 24-team Panther International tournament in Edmonton. Fundamental has six Grade 11s and only two Grade 12s.“We are in a bit of a training and building year,” Johnson said. The Titans’ top players so far, he said, have been Phil Stahl, Max Heppell and Zec Johnson, the coach’s son.
