Will Ren, centre, of the Charlottetown Rural Raiders accepts the Peter Houston Memorial Award on Nov. 29. The prestigious award is presented annually to a boys’ player in the Gray Cup basketball tournament who displays sportsmanship and leadership. The award honours the memory of Houston, who played for the host Colonel Gray Colonels from 1992 to 1995. Colonel Gray High School athletic director Laura Lindsay, left, and Houston’s sister, Carrie Houston, right, made the presentation following the boys’ championship game, played at the Colonel Gray gymnasium. Photo by Jason Simmonds /The GuardianArticle contentThe Charlottetown Rural Raiders and Moncton Purple Knights hope the teams’ showings in the 33rd Gray Cup basketball tournament are a sign of things to come.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe Raiders defeated the host Colonel Gray Colonels 82-75 in the championship game of the Senior AAA Boys Division at the Colonel Gray gymnasium on Nov. 29.Article contentArticle content“Coming to this tournament, our goal was to win it all,” said Raiders power forward Will Holland, who scored 31 points in the final and was named the tournament’s most valuable player. “We just came out with energy and played our game at the start, and then ended up closing it in the end with a lot of energy.”Article contentArticle contentThe 2025 Gray Cup featured two six-team divisions featuring boys and girls.Article contentIn the girls’ final, the Moncton Purple Knights defeated the Colonels 90-55.Article content“We are a very young team, I find,” said Purple Knights small forward Allegra Gaunce, who was named the tournament MVP. “For us to pull it together and win this tournament is very special to us.Article content“We haven’t won a tournament, and God knows how long, so I’m really proud of all of them. I think it’s a big turning (point) for us, so I feel like that’s really going to motivate us a lot.”Article contentThe Purple Knights’ roster features only three Grade 12 players along with four Grade 11s, four Grade 10s and three Grade 9s.Article contentBoys finalArticle contentIn the boys’ final, the Raiders built a big lead early and never looked back, although the Colonels refused to go away and rallied to get to within reach down the stretch.Article content“We got a 20-point lead in the first half and then I feel like we got a little stagnant midway through the second quarter; allowed them to chip away at the lead and get back in the game,” said Raiders head coach Josh Whitty. “When you’re a young team, you’ve got to kind of go through the process. You have to learn and grow and we’re certainly in that mix right now.”Article contentArticle content The Charlottetown Rural Raiders won the Senior Boys Division of the 33rd Gray Cup basketball tournament, hosted by Colonel Gray High School in Charlottetown, on Nov. 29. The Raiders defeated the host Colonel Gray Colonels 82-75 in the championship game. Members of the Raiders are, front row, from left: Kyle Boltiador, Sloan Campbell, Flynn Campbell, Will Ren, Noah Whitty, Moses Collins and Hunter Steele. Back row: Josh Whitty (head coach), Matt Morrison (assistant coach), Ridley Campbell Meuse, Clemens Oehl, Ben Holland, Xyrus Zara, Will Holland, Will Vidito (assistant coach) and Owen LeClair (assistant coach). Photo by Jason Simmonds /The GuardianArticle contentThe Raiders’ roster features six Grade-10 rookies.Article content“The last three weekends have been learning and growing,” said Whitty. “I don’t think we’ve played as well as we’re capable, but we played well enough to achieve the result that we were looking for.”Article contentHolland said it “meant a lot” to be named MVP. Whitty has coached the 15-year-old Holland, who lives in Stratford, P.E.I., since he started youth basketball and also with provincial teams.Article content“Will had a great weekend,” said Whitty. “He’s got a unique skill set and he’s a big man who can really shoot the ball and throughout the course of the weekend, he was very consistent.Article content“He’s a difficult matchup for a lot of teams, and we’re going to hope that continues to be the case for the rest of the season.”Article contentPositive signsArticle contentAlthough it wasn’t the outcome the Colonels hoped for, head coach Dennis Manning feels Colonel Gray is encouraged by the team’s play in the Gray Cup.
Charlottetown Rural Raiders, Moncton Purple Knights win Gray Cup
