Robert Little -

Woke up this morning to a top of the line breakfast, couldn't have asked for a better way to start off the day. With our stomachs stuffed and appetites satisfied we continued our day to the Capilano suspension bridge for a day of fun. With that being said it's probably a good time to let everyone know that I'm mortified of heights and don't do well with them. As we got to the bridge it was so much higher than I thought it was going to be, so it was an experience to say the least. Once we all inched ourselves across the narrow bridge, I thought that we were all in the clear from any sort of heights for a little while longer but once again I was wrong. Once we got across to the other side we were faced with another series of little bridges that were connected to the trees throughout the park. Now that we had all been on the large and very scary suspension bridge these little series of bridges weren't so bad. They were actually a lot of fun and just a cool experience to share with my teammates and coaches. It felt good to know that I wasn't the only one on the team with a fear of heights, so it was much easier having teammates to laugh and joke around about our fear. After we got done at the Capilano bridge, we went to five guys burgers for lunch and it was really good and filling. Once we had our lunch we headed back to the hotel to relax and get off our feet for awhile. A lot of us were tired and decided to take a nap for an hour or so. Once we all were recharged and ready to go again, we went to dinner at a place called pasta amore. It was really good! Once we finished eating there we went to the store and we got ice cream to top off our night. All in all today was a major success and filled with fun and laughter. Tomorrow we have our final game here in Canada and we couldn't be more excited for it. This trip and been nothing but a blast for us and I'm extremely eager for the upcoming season! Go Saints!!!!

Cameron Chatwin -

Today was one of the most amazing experiences to venture in Vancouver Canada. We were able to experience and walk across a bridge that would not only shake while the wind blew, or the annoying kid that would jump while we were walking. Which was mainly me...but to see and also be apart of walking across the Capilano Suspension Bridge will be a lasting memory. Don't worry everyone is safe, some may say they have a little bit of an upset stomach. Others may say they feel like they can hold the whole world on their shoulders. But one of my favorite parts to this beautiful sight was the effect and also everlasting impression that Canada will leave in our hearts and also minds. Being held at about one thousand feet or possibly more with metal cables is inevitably one of the most amazing things I have ever done! With the team that is coming to be like family is also an experience I will never forget. This entire journey is meant for us to become a family. To be brothers not only on the court, but to become brothers off the court as well. That is something that I have seen so far in this trip. Having already two games under our belt there is quite a bit of off time which allows us to get to know each other. Our likes and our dislikes which help us to become more of a family. Enjoying time with them is by far a great experience. It is also sad to see that this trip is coming to a close and that tomorrow we have our last game and head back into the real world once more. However, being able to have this wonderful opportunity that is a once in a lifetime will forever be in my heart. I am extremely grateful for this wonderful trip that has been able to be taken place in "Beautiful British Colombia." Thank you to everyone who has helped to make this happen not only for me but also for the team!

Mikko Balmes -

I woke up today around 8 and went to breakfast. I am getting a little tired of the same food we have been having for breakfast. Next around 10 o'clock we went to the Capilano Suspension Bridge. It was an amazing experience. It was pretty scary at first and then I got use to it. In the middle of the bridge was where it wobbled the most but the nicest. Throughout the walk I saw lots of nice views that I usually never see. Next we went to go eat at 5 guys which is always good to eat. Then we went home and relaxed for a little. After we relaxed we went to an Italian place for team dinner around 7. I got lasagna and it was good. Our final stop was Safeway where we got ice cream for dessert. Today was a nice relaxing day and I got to see a lot of nice views. It was nice getting to know my teammates better and bonding with them.

Day 4

Kazuma Lane

Woke up energized and ready for our second game of this trip. The day before we had a saints amazing race and it was an eye opening experience. At first my group (Luke and Tavian) were content on not placing, we just wanted to enjoy the culture and different vibes of the city. Looking back we ended up running over 6 miles around Vancouver. Our legs today seemed sluggish and noticeable during warm ups. But as soon as game time came the adrenaline kicked in and all fatigue disappeared. Our second opponent was much more disciplined team and very physical. It was a good test to see how we reacted to physicality, we will eventually face in the GNAC. After the game we had a quick rest, then headed towards metro town. We used the public train system and enjoyed the views of the beautiful city from the train windows. Couple of my teammates and I splurged a little with sushi. This entire foreign tour has been an amazing experience so far and I am excited for what the last two days have in store. We have grown closer as an entire squad, which is crucial when adding 9 new pieces. Being here has removed us from any other stresses such as school, work, family, and friends. I believe without this tour the transition would be much tougher and the process to becoming a tight knit "family" not be as smooth as it's been.


Logan Adams

Today was another game day in Canada. You could feel a different level of focus to start the day at our team breakfast. I think a lot of us were already thinking about what we had to do to get a win today. After breakfast we went back to our rooms to relax and get ready to play. Finally, the crew working at the Fortius Centre rolled out the big hoops on the main court. Tipoff came shortly after that and it was time to get a W. We started a little slow but once we amped our energy up we were able to gain a decent lead in the second half. The game ended in another Saints win. We know as a team we have lot to learn but feel like we're making great progress.

After the game we had some down time in the hotel. I took about an hour nap then I made my way into the hall and found some teammates playing Madden in one of the rooms. Eventually the team left the hotel to take a train to the mall. We visited several stores and ate dinner in the food court. After that we got our train back to the hotel to get some sleep for the night. This trip has been an incredible experience and I'm so thankful I've been able to go through it with all my teammates. Looking forward to our upcoming adventures over the next few days.


EJ Boyce

Today was another amazing experience in Canada. We started the day off with a great pre game meal and then had some time to get off our feet for a little bit before our pre game warm up. We had a great warm up as a team and I could feel the energy and excitement our team displayed as we were ready to take on Thompson River College. My legs were a little stiff from the "Saints Amazing Race" the day before but I was able to get past that and focus on the great opportunity we had to get better. We started off a little slow in the beginning of the game. Thompson River had some good size and were very physical right from the jump. They executed their Princeton offense well and were well coached and very disciplined. This team was great for us to play against as it forced us to all come together on the court. We were able to make a solid run in the middle of the first half with getting a few stops and executing on offense. We started to pull away from Thompson River with a cushioning lead of 15 points. Our team kept a good pace all game long and I could feel some good chemistry on the court. We were able to maintain our lead and got a solid double digit win. With another game in the books it was good for us to reflect on the things that we did well and some things we need to work on. We were able to grow and learn a lot against Thompson River and I believe we built a great foundation for our team to build on as we continue to attack each day as an opportunity to get better and prepare for the season.

After the game we had some time to rest and recover. Then as a team we took a neat train ride downtown to Metro Town to enjoy some time together to eat dinner and hang out at the mall together. These guys already feel like brothers to me and we all have a lot of fun together. Me and some of the guys had a great dinner at the Bourbon St Grill and then had some time to walk around the mall together. Another great day in the books here in Canada with this special group and I can't wait to see more of Canada with my new family tomorrow. This has been one of the coolest trips I've ever been on and I'm extremely thankful for such a unique opportunity.


Day 3

Michael Painter -

Today I participated in one of the most unique experiences of my entire life. This morning I woke up and got shots up before our team lift. The facility we are staying in is by far the nicest place I've ever stayed on a basketball trip. Afterwards, we went to Third Beach in Vancouver, Canada. A couple of guys opted to swim in the salty waters while other relaxed in the sun. Little did we know, moments later we'd embark on the Saints Amazing Race. Consisting of 3 separate and unique tasks, each team comprised of Saints Basketball players were to complete these tasks in the fastest time possible. We read maps, got waxed and ate food along this journey. It was so much fun. We've only been here a couple days; I can't wait to see what's in store next.

BJ Standley -

Today I woke up more tired than usual but I knew I was in for another adventure. After waking up and eating breakfast I actually fell back asleep for approximately fifteen minutes. After we got in a good lift we headed out to get food then the beach. The beach was absolutely gorgeous. I was able to capture some really nice photos and build relationships with my new teammates. They really make me feel welcomed and part of the team. They're great. The best part of the day was our "scavenger hunt". We had to go around Vancouver looking for clues at certain stores without using our phones! That was tough because our coaches had confiscated our cell phones. We survived though and made it to the finish line. It required a lot of communication and trust from one another. We then ate at dinner at Dunn's where Luke and I ate a family platter which had enough food for four to six people! We felt very full. I'm definitely having fun in Canada and wish I could bring some of my family members with me. Every day I wake up excited to see what the next day stores!

Matt Dahlen -

We started day 3 with an awesome breakfast at 9am that included breakfast burritos and also yogurt parfaits. Once breakfast was finished, we had some down time until we all met up in the luxurious weight room here at the Fortius center. We focused on our legs after playing the day before, which included squats and calf raises among other exercises. Once we all finished our workout, we had a team meeting centered around the white nationalist rallies in Charlottesville, VA. We had an open discussion about racism in our country and that love trumps hate every single time. When our meeting concluded, we headed down to the beach for the start of our Amazing Race: Saints Edition. The scavenger hunt took us all over Vancouver and included activities like eating dumplings and having a teammate get their arm waxed. It was full of twists and turns and the top three teams won prizes that included some Saints gear and also a gift certificate to HopJacks. Once all the teams reached the finish line, we headed to team dinner at Famous Dunn's which is a Montreal chain restaurant that is famous for their meat. Some of us tried the local poutine and we all left full. We concluded the night with a trip to a ice cream shop where the cotton candy flavor was the most popular choice. We have an early game tomorrow and so most of us went to sleep early after that. Can't wait for what tomorrow has to offer. Go Saints!

Day 2

Jordan Kitchen -

I woke up today feeling grateful. Grateful for the opportunity at hand, grateful to spend a week in Canada with my old and new teammates and ultimately grateful to play extra games to push towards a great 2017-2018 season. After getting ready I made my way to the second floor to get breakfast in this amazing facility. The food was stupendous as well as everything else going on in the facility. After a couple of hours of napping and more eating it was time for our first game against Langara at 4:00pm which would start our journey together no longer as individuals on a team but a family on the Saint Martin's men's basketball team.

Before tip-off at 4:00pm everyone was focused and locked in to the special opportunity we had in front of us. Once the game got going against Langara we all had high energy. Guys we're flying in to get rebound, passing to teammates to score, and pointing out passes. It was not all perfect but it was a great way to start off our journey into the 2017-2018 season. After the game we got food and relaxed. Canada has been very special as well as everything leading up to this. Everyone including myself is extremely grateful.

Lucas Chavez -

Dear Journal,

Woke up with a smile. Happy and content. Only thing that would make this trip better is some AC in our room and a working fan. But other than that I am grateful I can spend these couple of days playing a game I love while spending some quality bonding time with my new teammates. Our breakfast was a five-star feast which contained a delicious egg scramble burrito which was a perfect start to the day. With our bellies nice and full we were able to get off our feet for a little bit with the option to use the wonderful facilities here at Fortius Health Center. Some shot around or used the weight room while I tuned in to the PGA championship cheering my boy Jordan Spieth on. He struggled once again but still a great round of golf was portrayed. Our pregame meal was Subway. I got the subway club but couldn't eat the bread because I am gluten free so I just ate the stuff inside with a fork. Still delicious but next time I'm going to go with the salad.

Finally, our game vs. Langara University tipped off. Nerves settled and the flow of the game felt like home again. But our energy and execution were not being displayed at the best of our ability and within the first five minutes and we were in a deficit of five points. As rotations were being mixed around and chemistry between players flourished we were able to gain the lead and we never looked back... Our defensive energy and offensive fire power were too much for Langara and we ended up winning the game by around 30 points. It was a great first game for us to be able to look back and evaluate the things we did right but also the things we need to work on. In conclusion, another great day out here in Canada and looking forward to what tomorrow brings. GO SAINTSSSSSSS!!!!!

Caden Smith -

Started off the day waking up at 8:30 to get some breakfast at 9:00, which was a breakfast burrito with yogurt and fruit. Following that I went back to the room and took an hour nap to make sure I was fully rested for the game. When I woke from the nap I went over some of our plays to make sure I thoroughly understood them. Then we departed for a pregame meal at Subway where I got my "go to" sandwich, the chicken bacon ranch sub. Definitely cannot go wrong there. When I came back from eating I laid down for about 20-30 minutes, then decided to go get some shots up before we left for the game.

We left for the gym at 2:10, giving us plenty of time to get there and stretched well before game time. I always like to listen to music to get my mind in the right place before warmups start, so that was happening on the way to Langara. My adrenaline was definitely pumping before hand with it being my first ever collegiate experience. When the first tip hit I was completely locked in, then when coach Pribble got me off the bench to hit the floor with my guys I left all I had out there for them. The game was somewhat close in the first half, but once we came out in the second we didn't let off the gas one bit, helping us get a solid win in our first action this year. There were a ton of takeaways, good and bad from the game that we knew we had to work on, but we all expect that especially this time of year. I felt that we controlled our energy and effort which were some of the main keys to getting the job done and I was proud of that. Amazing start to our foreign tour to say the least. Go Saints!

Day 1

Rhett Baerlocher -

Between Lacey and Seattle the traffic was classic I-5 bumper-to-bumper traffic. Once we got past Seattle things cleared up. It was a great relief when we arrived to Fortius, the entire Saint Martins Men's Basketball team myself included, was truly amazed with the incredible facilities we get to spend the next six days. After we checked into our rooms, we headed to downtown Vancouver for dinner. Vancouver is a big busy city and was fun to explore with my new and old teammates. We learned some important lessons on our first day of eating out for example when in a different country make sure you know the difference in currency before you pay. If you don't know make sure to ask Siri because you will end up tipping way too much! Tomorrow we have a first game against Langara, it will be exciting to see how we deal with the pressure as we go to battle for the first time as a new unit.

We all feel extremely blessed to have an opportunity to represent what we have worked so hard to build as a team. There is nothing better then being able to come to a new place and getting to just play ball. Not every kid my age is as lucky to be able to still be playing basketball, my goal of the trip is to make take advantage of all the time I have left playing.

Jared Mathews -

After these long days of hard lifting, conditioning, and practicing with my SMU brothers, I am extremely excited to take the floor very soon with them as we get ready to play our very first game together here in Canada. This trip to Canada as a Saint Martin's University basketball player has been an amazing experience. We left Saint Martin's around noon and arrived in Vancouver around 5:00pm. After a funny 5 hour drive with the team we got to our hotel which is an amazing facility, that has a giant weight room with a full court basketball room, and unpacked our gear. There also was talk that this facility is used by the Toronto raptors NBA team during the summer.

After checking in, we all piled into the two Saint Martin's vans and Coach Pribble's car and went as a team to the heart of Vancouver and explored the many shops and stores that are riddled along the streets where we eventually found Joeys burgers and had a nice dinner. It's been such a great experience with amazing teammates and coaches. I am very excited for our first game tomorrow against Langara University! We have many exciting things going on throughout the next few days such as going on the capalano suspended bridge, going on nice walks throughout the amazing sites of Canada, and just spending some quality time with the SMU men's basketball family.

Tavian Henderson -

This morning I woke up knowing I was going to be going out of the country for the first time of my life. I was more excited than anything to finally get out of the country and to be going to a city such as Vancouver I was definitely looking forward to. Especially to be doing it as a Saint Martin's basketball player makes everything that much better. Before leaving for the trip I was able to shoot around with my teammates and go over some plays. It's a lot of fun just building a great chemistry amongst my teammates because there's nothing but positive energy with everyone involved with the team. During the drive up to Vancouver we stopped at Subway as a team and I was able to enjoy a sandwich having a casual conversation with one of my teammates named Matt. I learned his favorite football team was the Jets which I laughed at and gave him a hard time about but it was just nice being able to talk to a teammate and get to know him a little better.?

After arriving in Vancouver and experiencing downtown Vancouver with my team it was an amazing experience. We walked in a bunch of stores window shopped basically and got some food. I enjoyed an A&W cheeseburger meal which I hadn't had in a very long time. I'm definitely looking forward to more experiences during the rest of this trip so that I can have lifelong memories. Most importantly I'm looking forward to playing my first college basketball game as well as the other two that we play on this trip. I'm super thankful for this opportunity and I'm glad I get to share this experience with my teammates.