Boese at RDC, finally
It took Kendell Boese a little time to arrive at RDC, but he finally made it this season.
Coming out of high school in Three Hills, the Prairie Christian Academy basketball star was recruited by both the RDC Kings and the Mount Royal Cougars, deciding on the Calgary school.
It turned out to be the perfect decision for the six-foot-one guard as he was part of the Canadian championship squad in the 2008-09 season.
“Mount Royal watched me in Grade 12 at the 2A provincials, which we won,” Boese explained. “My first year there I averaged about six to 10 minutes in the first semester, but in the second semester I averaged 20-25 minutes as they put me in and let me play my game.”
His second year the Cougars won the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference title and the CCAA crown.
“Winning the ACAC title was great as not a lot of college players get that opportunity, but winning the nats was a dream come true, there’s no words to describe it.”
However, Boese decided to take the following season off “for my knees” and when he decided to return he contacted former RDC coach Craig Behan.
“RDC recruited me in high school and I was looking for a new start and this was a good fit for me,” explained Boese. “And I fit into their system. We play an up and down fast-moving style and I think I’m a fast player up the court.”
During his season off Boese worked in Three Hills and helped coach at the high school, something he says helped him as a player.
“I got a chance to see the game differently, which helped me a lot. I see the coach’s side of it and on the court I look at the game at a different level than everyone else. Once you have that coaching experience you understand more about the game and it gives you a level up on your opponent.”
Boese spend his year off making sure he stayed in shape.
“I thought I did a good job, which helped coming back, but even then it was a bit harder than I expected,” he said. “But I think I’m back up to par.”
The 21-year-old Boese, who is taking kinesiology, knew what to expect at RDC, except for one thing — a new coach in Stef Labrecque, who took over late in the summer when Behan took a year off to work at the University of Victoria.
“Behan got me here and I was a little shocked when he called and said he wouldn’t be here, but he told me Stef was a great guy and a great coach. I have nothing but good to say about him. Besides he’s been an assistant coach with Behan and knows the system.”
This will be an interesting weekend for Boese as the Kings face the Cougars in a home-and-home series — Friday at RDC and Saturday at MRU. The women tip off both days at 6 p.m. with the men to follow.
The Kings and Cougars are tied for second in the South Division at 5-3, back of Lethbridge, 7-1.
The Kings are coming off a tough loss at Concordia.
“We have a young team and we’re still trying to figure some stuff out,” said Boese. “But it will come and the second half we’re expecting more players, which will help us a lot. They’ll add some height and size.”
The Kings will have six-foot-six Jason Lowe of Bermuda and six-foot-four RJ Wells of Windsor, Ont., in the lineup after Christmas.
The Queens hope to have league scoring leader Lisa Ivanics back this weekend as they take a 3-5 record in against the Cougars, who are 6-2.
Boese was named the RDC Boston Pizza male athlete of the week while the hockey Queens first-year forward Rachel Hoppins took the top female award.
Boese averaged 15 points, five rebounds and two assists in a win over Camrose Augustana and against Concordia.
Hoppins had a pair of goals, including the tying and winning markers, in a 3-2 win over SAIT.
• The hockey Queens face NAIT in a doubleheader — Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Arena and Friday at NAIT.
• The volleyball squads are on the road as they visit Lakeland College in Lloydminster Friday evening and Saturday afternoon.
drode@reddeeradvocate.com
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