When the juvenile provincial curling championships sweep into action at the Prince George Golf and Curling Club in March, three rinks will have home-ice advantage.
In the eight-team girls tournament, local skips Alyssa Connell and Diamond Wilson will throw stones. And, on the boys side of the draw -- which also features eight teams -- P.G.'s Dustin Withey will try to lead his crew to a B.C. title.
Connell and Wilson qualified for provincials by finishing first and second respectively at the Zone 8 playdowns in 100 Mile House last weekend. Connell posted a 2-0 record, with an 11-5 win against Hannah Lindner of 100 Mile and a 7-5 decision against Wilson. In Wilson's other games, she downed Paige Gudbranson of Williams Lake 7-4 and defeated Lindner 8-4.
"These two Prince George girls teams are neck-and-neck in every game they play," said Troy Withey, who coaches the Wilson foursome. "Every game, it comes right down to the end. They're both excellent teams. For so long, we didn't have teams coming out of juvenile. Now we have two unbelievable teams."
The juvenile division is for players in the 11 to 16 age range.
The other members of the Connell rink are third Jordan Henson, second Jennilee Slaney and lead Julianne Slaney. The teams take its tips from coach Wayne Colliss.
Wilson's rink is rounded out by third Carly Connor, second Jessie Withey and lead Erin Ross, with Carsyn Hamilton as the fifth player.
Troy Withey wouldn't be surprised to see both Prince George rinks take serious runs at provincial gold.
"They are going to be a threat this year," he said. "And next year, both of those teams are going to be favoured to win the province."
As for the local juvenile boys, they received a bye to provincials because they form one of only two teams in the zone. The other is from 100 Mile House and that rink will also compete in the B.C. tournament.
Dustin Withey's team includes third Brendan Carswell, second Coleton Vriesendorp and lead James Brown.
Provincials will start on March 7. Spectators, of course, are welcome.
"I'm just hoping that people come down and watch these kids," Troy Withey said. "It's a big deal for them. They want to do well for the city."
Prior to the juvenile provincials, a College Heights secondary school girls team that includes Connell and Wilson will compete at the B.C. high school championships, Feb. 28 to March 2 in Kamloops.
