When Orcas Christian School boys’ basketball coaches presented team captains Michael Harris and Cyrus Amour with the latest grade check report for the team, they  made an unprecedented move of cancelling all men’s basketball practices, effectively locking the gym, until the entire team’s academics improved substantially.

“We can’t afford to lose players to daily grade checks,” Amour said. “It keeps us all from being able to practice and grow as a team.”

Added Harris: “If they (players on grade checks) can’t practice, then none of us will practice until we’re all caught up and strong academically.”

Both captains then called a players-only meeting and informed the team that practices were cancelled in lieu of mandatory team after-school study centers during practice time. The boys’ team is pictured at left.

OCS has a rigorous academic policy with weekly grade checks and daily accountability measures for students on grade checks to participate in athletics.

Cleared to play, on Thursday night the OCS Saints routed Lynden in their season opener 47-22, led by Michael Harris with 25 points and six steals and Ryan Flint with 7 points and 14 rebounds.

OCS Lady Saints initially dominated their season opener, coming out on fire with a 22-2 lead, and fought hard for a 47-33 victory, led by Maddy Hance with 24 points and 8 steals, Adia Dolan with 12 points and 3 steals, and Evie Hance with 11 points and 5 steals.