Image Credit: CFJC Today/TRU WolfPack

By Adam Donnelly

RUNNING WITH THE PACK

Kamloops basketball products finish out careers with TRU WolfPack

Feb 4, 2020 | 4:07 PM

KAMLOOPS — For seven members of the TRU basketball teams, this past weekend was the last time they’ll suit up in the orange, black, and white of the WolfPack on their home court.

For a pair of those athletes, the moment held some extra significance. Joe Davis and Emma Piggin are both Kamloops kids — Piggin won a provincial championship with SKSS in 2013, while Davis played his high school basketball at Westsyde.

Emma Piggin knew the clock was winding down on her career with the TRU WolfPack Women’s Basketball team; it was something she had been trying not to think about.

“This is home. This has been my family for the last six years. This has been how I identify myself — Emma Piggin, TRU Basketball,” Piggin told CFJC Today after Friday night’s game. “So today, coming here… It’s a different type of game when you play on the big court.”

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For Joe Davis, the reflection will come later. Right now, TRU Men’s basketball is in the thick of a tight CanadaWest playoff race.

“I haven’t spent much time reflecting on it,” Davis said. “I’m just trying to enjoy the most fun part, the end of the season. I look forward to reflecting on it at the end of the year, absolutely.”

Davis will leave the WolfPack as the program’s all-time leading scorer, and with two more games remaining, that total is yet to be determined. However, head coach Scott Clark says Davis’ attention to detail away from the gym is what makes him great.

“He’s the prime example of what you want in a student-athlete,” Clark said. “It’s those characteristics you’re talking about: leadership characteristics, characteristics of perseverance… of being able to show up every day, even when you’re not feeling your absolute best. I couldn’t be happier for a guy like Joe. He deserves everything that comes his way.”

It was fitting that Piggin’s last home weekend conceded with Maddy Gobeil’s first trip back home. Both players are South Kam alumnae, and both won BC championships at the school.

“She’s a role model. She’s a great player,” Gobeil said when asked about Piggin. “I’m amazed at what she’s done, with having her [daughter] and then coming back and putting all her effort on the court and having a great season. It’s really impressive, and it’s nice to get to play against that.”

“Watching [Gobeil] in this game… man, she’s a grinder, she hits shot,” Piggin said of the first-year UFV guard. “I noticed a bunch of her family in the crowd. I can relate, and I understand the feeling of her coming home and seeing that family and how special this could be for her.”

Piggin was set to play out her eligibility a year ago stepped away from basketball before the 2018-2019 season to focus on school and her daughter Abby. She doesn’t regret taking that year off.

“I’ve fallen in love with the game again,” Piggin said. “[WolfPack head coach] Goran [Nogic] has been — not only has he been teaching me new skills and moves and tactics within a game, but also from a coaching point of view too, because he knows that something I want to do in the future.”

According to his coaches, Davis has succeeded because of his work ethic and willingness to learn. Those are skills he hopes other Kamloops basketball players can embrace.

“I see a lot of little guys here when I’m training. Whether they know it or not, they’re training,” Davis said. “They’re constantly asking me and the other guys questions and stuff. It’s good to see, and I just hope they continue that.”

Piggin and Davis: just two Kamloops kids, both proud to represent their hometown.