The Quebec High School Blazers junior girls’ basketball team put an exclamation point on an impressive season with a second-place finish at the provincial championships. The junior boys battled back from a tough loss in their opening game to finish fifth. (Photo courtesy of Quebec High School) CELEBRATING STUDENT SUCCESS
Small school, big dreams: Quebec High School celebrates remarkable basketball season
Submitted by Ed Sweeney, community co-ordinator, Quebec High School
In a storybook season few could have predicted, Quebec High School (QHS) sent not one, but two junior basketball teams to the provincial finals. For a small school, this remark- able achievement has the entire student body and staff buzzing with pride.
Both the junior girls and junior boys basketball teams fought their way through fierce competition, displaying grit, skill and determination. It’s a monumental feat, and many are crediting the success to the school’s Basketball Concentration Program – a specialized training initiative designed to build excellence from the ground up – and to the passionate leadership of their coaches, Matt Weston, Étienne Sioui and Marc André Dugas.
Weston, a QHS graduate, and athletic director Ricky Dwyer have been at the helm of the QHS basketball concentration program. Together they bring a vision: to create a culture of hard work, discipline and belief.
“It’s not about being the biggest school or having the most players,” Weston said. “It’s about heart, effort and the belief that if you put in the work, great things can happen. These two teams embodied these qualities, and I am so proud of what they have achieved.”
The junior girls team, known for their high-pressure defence and fast transitions, stormed through their regional play- offs, capturing the gold medal and the right to represent the Capitale-Nationale region at the provincial championships. Although the competition was strong, the girls found them- selves knocking off teams en route to a spot in the final. They ultimately fell to a very strong Collège Boisbriand team 46-30.
“This has been a fun year. Coach Weston pushes us to be our best every day,” said point guard Sophie Lavallee. “He believes in us, even when we sometimes doubt ourselves. That made all the difference.”
The junior boys team showcased remarkable teamwork and sharpshooting throughout their provincial champion- ships. After a heartbreaking loss by two points in the first game, they capped off their provincial tournament run with an impressive fifth-place finish.
The basketball program, established just 12 years ago, offers student-athletes extra court time and fitness training. It has helped elevate the school’s basketball culture and develop fundamentally sound players who can compete with the best in the province.
“When we launched the concentration program, we knew it would be a great value added for our basketball athletes,” said Dwyer. “Having two teams excel like this – it’s beyond what we imagined. Coach Weston and the students have put in the work, and they deserve every bit of this success.” Though the provincial championships didn’t end with a banner, the Blazers’ accomplishments this season have set a new standard for Quebec High. The entire school community is proud, already looking forward to what the future holds.
A big thank you goes out to the parents, students, QHS alumni and staff who travelled to support the Blazers during this historic weekend of junior basketball.
“No matter what the scoreboard says, these players are champions in every sense of the word,” Weston said. “They’ve shown what’s possible when you dream big and work even harder.”
Editors’ note: We welcome submissions like this one from local schools highlighting student achievement. If you’re a teacher, coach or administrator at a local Central Québec School Board (CQSB) school and you have something to share, please contact us at editor@qctonline.com.
