Learning from Defeat: How George Bergen Built a Basketball Powerhouse
By Bandits Contributing Writer: Grant Vassos • June 3, 2021
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Langley Times (Black Press)
Before he became one of only two individuals to win the B.C. provincial high school championship at the highest level as a player and coach, George Bergen had to learn what it felt like to lose first.
In his Grade 11 year at MEI Secondary, Bergen and the Eagles were upset by the Oak Bay Bays at the 1969 AA senior boys’ provincial tournament in double overtime. The near taste of victory Bergen experienced that game would appear again 43 years later as a head coach. That year, Bergen's Walnut Grove Gators lost to the Terry Fox Ravens in the final seconds of the AAA championship game. Then once again in the 2016 AAAA semi-finals by the talons of the Kelowna Owls.
With each of those three losses, he made sure to come away with a lesson. Each of the following three seasons, Bergen and his team went on to win the provincial title.
The legendary retired Gators head coach is reminded of those lessons through one of his quotes. Initially coined by Winston Churchill but tweaked to his liking.
"Success is never final, and failure is never fatal," Bergen said. "It is the courage to compete on every play that matters."
Bergen's desire to coach began at MEI when his head coach asked him to help with a Grade 7 boys basketball team at South Poplar Traditional Elementary. He resisted accepting it at first but agreed to take on the responsibility with another teammate.
Initially, Bergen thought of it as another way for his coach to recruit young players to come to the high school. But he also remembers his coach as a smart man who taught him how to be a leader, and allowed him to dip his toe into coaching.
"I didn't really have a clue what I was doing. But because we were good high school players and actually won a provincial championship, the kids looked up to us. So, no matter what we did, we could do no wrong," Bergen said with a laugh.
Bergen went on to coach a local Grade 8 team while attending the University of Manitoba, before arriving at Walnut Grove Secondary in 1991 after leaving his previous position as a teacher and coach at Aldergrove Community Secondary.
Entering his first season, the Gators had only eight players on the roster. Four of which were offered to him after he reached out to the high school's rugby coach to lend him players. In the team's inaugural season, the Gators mounted only one win to go along with 32 losses, with players – mainly from the rugby side – fouling out of almost every game.
"I wanted to teach those players to compete for every single inch of ground," Bergen said. "Every single play that happened, we were going to try to compete."
Competition was Bergen's favourite word when it came to how he ran his teams. Every day, he expected his players to compete in practice. An emphasis was placed on player and ball movement, team chemistry, strength and conditioning, accountability, and keeping the style of play simple.
They travelled frequently to the U.S. for tournaments and became regulars at Gonzaga University's Men's Basketball Team Camps held in June. While Bergen's teams often lost by a significant margin the first few games, he remembers those trips as a turning point in making his players more competitive when they returned home. Another step towards Bergen’s long-term plan to build the culture of excellence he envisioned when he first came to Walnut Grove.
More importantly, they were going to have fun doing it. Bergen remembers one practice where he instructed his players to race around the four-hundred-meter track outside the school. The winner would receive a jug of chocolate milk. Among those players was Jadon Cohee, the Gators' talented star point guard who eventually went on to play for Team Canada.
"I didn't think Jadon Cohee would win, but he dominated," Bergen said.
His teams also featured vital leaders such as De'Sean Monsanto, the 2012 provincial tournament's top defensive player, and who Bergen believed could have also been a safety in football. As well as Ethan McKean and Charles Luu, whom Bergen recalls making "some of the smartest plays I've seen in basketball."
His two sons, Jared and Paul, grew up to be members of competitive teams at Walnut Grove under the tutelage of Bergen. Jared went on to play two years for Cascades men’s basketball coach Pat Lee at the University of Fraser Valley before transitioning into a job in forestry. During those seven years, he also rejoined his alma-mater Gators to split time as an assistant coach for his father.
Bergen remembers him as a pillar of strength: with the voice and experience to connect with his players and their tendencies and who could challenge them to embrace what was needed to become better. Today, Jared works as a Vancouver firefighter.
“He had a really good understanding of my mind . . . and he’d always totally understand what I was trying to do, and he’d explain it to the players because, in the heat of the battle, there’s a lot of things to take care of as a coach,” Bergen said.
The following years had players like Ty Rowell, who possessed an unrivaled work ethic when it came to his craft. And James Woods, a terrific leader and a winner who understood the identity Bergen wanted his teams to have.
Bergen retired from head coaching in June of 2017, a few months before Woods was set to enter his Grade 12 year. Looking back, Bergen thinks it would have been fun to coach Woods' final season – whose heart and skill more than made up for his small frame.
"He never really was all that big in high school. I measured him at five-ten, and he always wanted me to list him at six feet,” Bergen said. “But he was five-ten.”
Nowadays, Bergen stays involved in the B.C. basketball community by consulting with coaches interested in learning from him. He took up officiating games and found enjoyment behind the position that made him go "crazy always trying to get the right call" when he was behind the bench. In addition to volunteering with the Gators’ basketball team, the annual provincial tournament and being a part of the all-star committee, Bergen also works as a Teacher on Call (TOC).
While he remained a committed father throughout his career, Bergen’s grateful for the extra time he’s been able to spend with his family and six grandkids after devoting so much time to his work. There’s a part of him that still believes he could have kept coaching until he was 70.
"There's something so satisfying about (coaching) that it's very difficult to just drop it and let it go. Even the schools that I go to as a TOC now, I say, 'Hey, how come you're not playing basketball? You're in Grade 8. You should be out there.' And usually, the kid will say something like, 'Oh, I'm no good at it.' And I go, 'I don't believe that. I think you could be good at it. It's my way of recruiting kids, and I've always done that," Bergen said.
Even after a lifetime of mentoring high school players, the passionate coach inside of him lingers on proudly the same way it did for 26 years at Walnut Grove. As a builder and as a teacher, passing on the lessons he learned never to forget.
LATEST NEWS
A season-high 25 points from Shamar Givance wasn’t enough as the Vancouver Bandits came up short in the final road game of the season. The Montreal Alliance defeated the Bandits 87-82 on Tuesday night, a game where three Bandits recorded their highest point totals of the season. Along with his 25 points, Givance also added eight rebounds and five assists in 36 minutes of action. “He was the definition of a warrior tonight,” said Bandits head coach Ransford Brempong. Givance, who came off the bench, took a bulk of the guard minutes after leading scorer Jarkel Joiner exited the game in the first half. “He picked up 94 feet and he went over every screen. It’s commendable. That’s why we brought Shamar here for the effort he gives,” said Brempong. Stephen Zimmerman in just his second game with Vancouver recorded 13 points and six rebounds. Jarrell Eddie scored a season-high 17 points and notched his first double-double of the season with 10 rebounds, five assists and three blocks. “Certain guys were thrust into positions they’re not normally in and that’s growth,” said Brempong. Both teams struggled offensively, particularly outside the paint, but what they lacked in offence was made up by their defence. The Bandits shot 9-33 from beyond the arc, and the Alliance cashed in on just 11 of the 32 three point opportunities. The Bandits recorded seven blocks and six steals, while the Alliance recorded four blocks and six steals. Montreal native Tyrese Samuel recorded 16 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. He played just 22 minutes after picking up two early fouls in the first quarter. No Canadian player has scored more points than Tyrese Samuel’s 358 points this season. Neither team separated themselves as the game stayed close for all four quarters. The largest lead of the game was eight, which belonged to Montreal. Vancouver exploded in the third quarter and outscored Montreal 27-17, yet their scoring wouldn’t translate to the fourth quarter. The Bandits offence lacked consistency all night, scoring just 16 points in the final frame. Quincy Guerrier led the Alliance with 26 points and seven rebounds. The Bandits will head home for the final game of the regular season against the Winnipeg Sea Bears. The Bandits (14-9) currently sit top of the Western Conference while the Sea Bears (13-10) sit in second place. “The mission is still the same.”
Five players were in double figures as the Vancouver Bandits defeated the Saskatoon Mamba 104-97 on Saturday night. The Bandits led for the entirety of the game, leading by as many as 17 points. Vancouver now sits atop of the Western Conference at 14-8, topping the Winnipeg Sea Bears (13-9). This win also secured home court advantage in the playoffs for the Bandits, who will officially begin the postseason on Thursday, August 6 at 7:00 p.m. at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre. Tevin Brown led the Bandits in scoring with 23 points and seven three pointers made. “My teammates did a good job of getting me open,” said Brown. “They just let me play my game. (We) play a fast-paced offence and that’s where I thrive.” James Karnik followed with 15 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. The Bandits jumped out to an early 31-15 lead as Brown scored 11 of his 23 points in the first quarter. The Mamba went on a 29-21 run in the second quarter to cut the lead to 52-44 by halftime. Bandits head coach Ransford Brempong applauded his team for their resilience in the wire-to-wire win, even as the lead dwindled. “They might fight back but (we) still have to stay aggressive,” said Brempong. “Credit to Saskatoon. They made their run, but I’m more proud of the team and the resilience they’ve shown during the last handful of games.” All 11 players who played tonight recorded a made basket. Former NBA draft pick Stephen Zimmerman made his Bandits debut, recording two points and four rebounds in just three minutes of action. “It’s going to take everybody. Whether you come off the bench, I don’t care. Be strong enough that you affect the game and you impact winning,” said Brempong. Brempong said the Bandits are still bought into the mentality of being “on the hunt”, despite being first in the Western Conference. Brempong also said they can’t take their recent success for granted. “Don’t let it lull you to sleep. You still have to stay sharp,” he said. A layup from Shamar Givance won the game for the Bandits in target time. He finished with nine points and eight assists. Next, the Bandits will head on the road for a matchup with the Montreal Alliance on Tuesday, before wrapping up the season at home against the Winnipeg Sea Bears.
The Vancouver Bandits announced Friday that the club has signed former NBA draft selection and decorated overseas champion Stephen Zimmerman for the remainder of the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season. A 7-foot centre hailing from Las Vegas, Nev., Zimmerman was selected 41st overall by the Orlando Magic in the 2016 NBA Draft and appeared in 19 games as a rookie. With the signing, Zimmerman becomes the first-ever NBA draft selection to sign with the Bandits. “Zimmerman brings additional size to our team and experience from the highest levels of the game around the world,” said Bandits general manager Kyle Julius. “His signing is part of our strategic plan to ensure we have a strong roster to compete in the CEBL playoffs.” A veteran of 10 professional seasons, Zimmerman most recently played for Gigantes de San Francisco in the Dominican Republic during the 2025-26 season where he helped lead the club to a Dominican LNB championship. He also earned championships in the Czech Republic, guiding ERA Nymburk to both a Czech Cup and Czech NBL title in 2021. His journeyman career overseas includes previous stops in Germany, Poland, Australia, Japan, Puerto Rico, Taiwan, Malaysia and China. In addition, Zimmerman played parts of four NBA G League seasons with the Orlando Magic’s affiliate (Erie Bayhawks, now Osceola Magic) in 2016-17, the Los Angeles Lakers’ affiliate (South Bay Lakers) in 2017-18, the New York Knicks’ affiliate (Westchester Knicks) in 2018-19, and San Antonio Spurs’ affiliate (Austin Spurs) in 2022-23. Internationally, Zimmerman represents the United States. He competed for his country at the senior level at the 2022 FIBA AmeriCup and 2019 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, and won a gold medal at the 2014 FIBA Americas U18 Championship in 2014. Before playing professionally, Zimmerman played one season of NCAA DI basketball for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). As a freshman, he started 24 of 26 games played and averaged 26.2 minutes, 10.5 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.0 blocked shots per game while shooting .477 per cent from the field.
WINNIPEG, MB - July 23, 2026 - The Vancouver Bandits are back in the win column after a second half comeback against the Winnipeg Sea Bears on Thursday night. The Bandits defeated the Sea Bears 92-77 to take them atop of the Western Conference, now tied with the Sea Bears at 13-8. “For the past two years, we’ve been in first place and we’ve been hunted. We’re the hunters this time around,” said Bandits head coach Ransford Brempong. Vancouver trailed for most of the game, and by as many as 14 points, before exploding in the final 20 minutes of the game. The Bandits shot just one-for-seven from three point range in the first half. “We’ll make mistakes but keep the game close and see if we can steal it, which is what we did.” Vancouver’s defence stepped up in the second half, holding Winnipeg’s best stars to a rough shooting night. Isiah Osborne, who averages 12.9 points, was held to four points on two-for-eight field goal shooting, while Emmanuel Akot made just one field goal for four points. CEBL scoring leader Teddy Allen scored 26 points, but he took 22 shots to do it and committed four turnovers. Jarkel Joiner’s 24 points once again led the Bandits. He also recorded three assists and two steals. “He’s quick and he’s strong,” said Sea Bears head coach Mike Raimbault about Jarkel Joiner. Joiner said there’s a “fight” within the team, especially with a close schedule remaining. “We know we’re fighting for homecourt advantage,” he said Bremprong praised the Bandits for sticking together in an unorthodox season. “This team is extremely resilient,” said Brempong about the Bandits’ second comeback win in three games. “The year has already thrown punches. We got thrown into the fire, but the fire is also a place where iron gets sharpened.” The paint was dominated by the Bandits as they scored 62 of their 92 points in the paint, including countless ferocious dunks from Tyrese Samuel and James Karnik. Rookie big man Dominic Parolin also poured in seven points, eight rebounds and two steals in 24 minutes of action. “We got those guys because they’re big boys and they’re Canadian,” said Brempong. Tied at 70 heading into the fourth, Tevin Brown was the answer Vancouver needed, scoring 10 of his 12 points in the final frame. Brown’s play catapulted a 22-7 scoring run in the fourth quarter to clinch the win. A putback layup by Karnik was the game winner. He finished with a season-high 17 points and season-high 12 rebounds. “To slay a Sea Bear isn't easy,” said Brempong. The Bandits will return home for a quick one game home stand on Saturday against the Saskatoon Mamba at 6 p.m. Tickets can be found at thebandits.ca . “Every game is a new challenge.”
LATEST VIDEO
Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Mamba on May 14, 2026.
A message from Vancouver Bandits head coach and general manager Kyle Julius on the 2025 season and thoughts on the CEBL Western Conference Semifinal.
Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Calgary Surge on August 16th, 2025.
Highlights of the Vancouver Bandits against the Winnipeg Sea Bears on August 3rd, 2025.