1960 Kam High Red Angels

Senior Girls' Basketball Team

B.C. High School Champions

Back Row: Jack Buckham, Ewena Kenward, Dianne Bond, Jane Jongschaap, Miss June Minette (Coach), Marilyn Braaten, Marlene Miller, Gloria Harrison, Stuart Brown
Front Row: Sue Hamilton, Pam Ottem, Donna Anderson, Lorna McLeod, Karen Kenward
Manager: Diane Veness

The year was 1960 and the Kamloops High School Red Angels, representing the Central Mainland win the B.C. High School Girl’s Provincial Basketball Championship by defeating Mission 28 – 18 in the final game. Previously in the Tournament, the Red Angels, in the opening round robin games, defeated John Oliver (Vancouver #1) 36-30; Mount Newton (Van Island #2) 37-15. In the Semi-final the Red Angels Defeated Mt. Douglas (Van Island#1) 35-25.

This win marks the first time that any girl’s team beyond the Lower Mainland has been able to take home this Championship and marks a jumping off point for a remarkable domination of this tournament by Kamloops and Salmon Arm from the Central Interior of the Province. The Red Angels would go on to represent the Central Mainland in 1961 with Salmon Arm winning the title by defeating Victoria in the final as a representative of the Okanagan.

In 1962 the Red Angels returned representing Central Mainland to win their second Championship in three years defeating Delbrook 32 – 21 in the final game. In 1963 the Central Mainland was amalgamated with the Okanagan and Kamloops loses the final game of the Provincial Tournament 24 - 14 to Salmon Arm in an All-Okanagan final. In 1964 in a repeat All-Okanagan Final Kamloops Red Angels defeated Salmon Arm 25 – 18 for their third championship in five years. 1965 again saw Kamloops meeting Salmon Arm in the final game of the Provincial Tournament with Salmon Arm prevailing in overtime. Salmon Arm retained the title through 66, 67, 68, and 69 which completes a ten year domination of the Provincial Tournament by Salmon Arm and Kamloops; a run which was started by the 1960 Red Angels.

The start of this success, not coincidentally, began with the work of Awilda Van Ryswyk, June Minette and Mickey Martino, all of whom began their careers at Kam High in the late 1950’s. They brought stability, direction and inspiration; all foundation blocks of tradition, to athletes and the athletic program at Kam High. It was their efforts which created the beginning of this most remarkable run in High School Sport as June, Awilda and Mickey were in turn coaches, assistant coaches or advisors for one another throughout this period of Kam High Athletic History.

On April 17, 2004, the 1960 Kam High Red Angels Sr. Girls Basketball Team was official inducted into the Kamloops Sports Hall of Fame.