When Dave Morgan is sitting on the Mount Douglas Rams’ bench this weekend and watching the 61st annual Triple-A senior boys Vancouver Island basketball championship, it will probably bring back memories of his playing days at Oak Bay.

In 1968, Morgan led the Oak Bay Bays to the B.C. championship and he was named the most valuable player of the tournament.

Now, as an assistant coach with the Rams, which includes his 16-year-old son Conor, he will try to relay the message of how much work is required to reach the provincials.

Starting today at Mount Douglas, eight teams will be shooting for the two Island berths at the provincials, which go March 15-19 at the Langley Events Centre.

“When I was in Grade 12, I shot baskets every day before school,’’ said coach Morgan. “I worked my butt off to be a solid player and I was a good rebounder.

“Conor is further ahead of me when I was in Grade 11. He is a good rebounder and he is getting better at it. I believe he is CIS [Canadian Interuniversity Sport] material. He knows that he has to put on some weight and next year, he could have all the tools to make more of an impact.’’

Morgan says it has not been easy coaching his son but overall Conor has handled the situation remarkably well.

“When we walk into the gym, I am a coach. When we leave it, all of the problems and issues stay there and I am a father again. We had had some ups and downs as we are strong-willed people.’’

After high school, Morgan went to the United States on baseball and basketball scholarships. He then returned to Victoria with a teaching degree and just retired after 34 years, including the last 22 at Mount Douglas.

“My dad encouraged me in Grade 6 or 7 to try basketball,’’ said Conor. “In a very short time, I fell in love with the game.

“Right now, I’m a pretty good three-point shooter and rebounder. For me to play at the next level, and that is my goal, I need to get bigger, stronger and attack the hoop more.’’

Mount Douglas plays its first game at 6:30 p.m. tonight against the G.P. Vanier Towees from Courtenay.

“Vanier will be a tough team to play against,’’ said Conor. “But, if we put together four quarters, we can handle them. I think this year’s tournament is wide open and we have a chance to win it. When our gym is full and I’m sure it will be, it can get nuts in here. I’m expecting a fun weekend.’’

“Our kids have worked hard this year,’’ said Rams’ head coach Skip Cronck. “In our last two games, we have finally been able to handle full-court pressure and that is a good sign heading into the Islands.’’

Oak Bay, which won last year’s tournament, opens up against the Cowichan Thunderbirds at 3 p.m., followed by the Dover Bay Dolphins (North No. 1 seed) from Nanaimo against the Belmont Bulldogs at 4:45 p.m. Belmont advanced to the final eight on Tuesday with a 73-57 victory over the Ballenas Whalers from Parksville in the challenge game at Ladysmith.

In today’s final game, the Claremont Spartans, the No. 1 seed from the South, take on the Wellington Wildcats from Nanaimo at 8:15 p.m.

The championship semifinals are 6:30 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. on Friday.