By Rudy Kelly
Prince Rupert, B.C.’s All Native Basketball Tournament celebrated its 50th anniversary with a flourish, kicking things off with a full cultural day and having 68 teams come to town, making the 50th the biggest tournament ever.
Thousands of people made the pilgrimage to Prince Rupert from cities and villages across B.C. and Alaska to celebrate what is considered one of the greatest annual Aboriginal events in North America. And they weren’t disappointed.
The spectacle began with over 100 dancers and drummers from all Nations welcoming fans on February 6 at the Russell Gamble gym. After a large demonstration and speeches, the Nations dance groups put on separate shows throughout the day. Play began the following day and wrapped up February 14.
And, with Alaskan teams again dominating the tournament, perhaps it was best for local fans that the most competitive game featured two B.C. teams in the fastest and most passionate division.
The third time was a charm for Vancouver’s North Shore Wolves as they defeated the Friendship House Cubs, 64-56, in the Intermediate division final February 14 at the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre in Prince Rupert, B.C. The Wolves had fallen to Metlakatla, AK, in last years’s final, and to these same Cubs in ‘07, but were clearly the division’s top team this time around.
The Wolves went undefeated en route to the final and, while getting a good test from the Cubs, never seemed to lose control of the final. The big differences in the game was the Cubs’ lack of a real dominant scorer and the fact that they created twice as many turnovers as the Wolves.
“We pretty much knew their offence,” smiled MVP Nate Kirk, of North Shore, noting that his teammate Phillip Gamble used to play for the Cubs. “He told us what they like to do and we were able to anticipate a lot of passes.”
Kirk, also the division’s high scorer, was tremendous in the final. Potting 28 points and pulling in 12 rebounds. He came up especially big when the determined Cubs would fight back.
“I’m the captain. I tried to do everything I could for the team,” said Kirk. “I had to concentrate and step up for the team and it worked out.”
Gamble was named Most Inspirational Player, while Van City’s Steven Youngchief was chosen Best Defensive Player. Friendship House’s Colton Wesley and Charlie Leeson were named Best Sixth Man and Most Promising players respectively, while Kitamaat’s Dan Metz was Mr. Hustle.
HYDABURG STRIKES BACK
Meanwhile, after having their record seven straight Senior Men’s championships string snapped last year, Hydaburg, AK, reclaimed their spot atop the tourney in resounding fashion, clobbering the Ahousat Suns, of Vancouver Island, 122-89.
Virtually no one was missing from the team as all of its stars showed up, wanting to make sure the 50th anniversary was remembered for a renewal of Hydaburg dominance.
“I think this one of the greatest teams ever,” said Hydaburg’s Darren Edenshaw, with only big man Sid Edenshaw missing from a list of all-stars in past title wins – and he wasn’t actually absent as he led the Hydaburg Masters team to that division’s crown.
Darren Edenshaw said he came into this year’s tourney with a chip on his shoulder, putting the blame on himself for last year’s stunning defeat. It seemed that attitude rubbed off on everyone as Hydaburg steamrolled to the title.
“They couldn’t miss,” lamented Ahousat coach Harvey Robinson. “Every shot those guys took went in. I think our guys were just worn out.”
MVP Devin Edenshaw paced the attack with 33 points, while Matt Carle added 28.
Luke Robinson was Ahousat’s bright star with 29 points, and he also held the rare distinction of being the tourney’s high scorer and Best Defensive Player. Teammate Travis Thomas was Mr. Hustle.
Vinny Edenshaw was Most Inspirational Player and Vancouver’s Mike Bisonnette won the Sixth Man Award.
As previously mentioned, Hydaburg also won the Masters Men’s division, downing Kitamaat, 82-69. For Kitamaat, it was the fourth straight year of close but not close enough as they lost in their fourth straight championship appearance.
“We were motivated by it being the 50th anniversary,” said MVP Rudy Bean, who had previously starred for Kake, Ak., and always seemed to come up with a big drive when his team needed it. “Whenever it got close, I thought it was easier to score off the dribble because they were tired.”
Bean was the game’s top scorer, with 32 points. A game Mike Ridsdale had 27 for Haisla.
Bean was high scorer, with teammates Al Nix and John Carle being chosen Best Defensive Player and Mr. Hustle respectively. Hydaburg’s David Edenshaw was named Best Sixth Man while Kitamaat’s Vern Henry staved off a Hydaburg sweep by claiming Most Inspirational Player honors.
BATTLE OF THE METS
Finally, Metlakatla, AK defeated defending champion Metlaktla, B.C. Crest, 76-59, as the older Met team simply couldn’t keep up with the younger, faster Alaskans.
Crest actually led by a point after the first quarter but the better legs took over, going on an 18-4 run to end the half, taking a 10-point lead they never relinquished.
“We knew we had to push the tempo,” said Met Ak’s Ashley Hayward-Martinez, who dominated with her speed in the second half. “They’re an older team and they were getting tired. We wanted to make them work more on defence so they might not be so sharp on offence.”
Point taken, as perennial all-star and MVP Judy Carlick, of Crest, put up an air-ball in the final minutes.
Met, Ak’s Vanessa James potted 25 points and was named MVP, as well as being the High Scorer. Two teammates also won awards: Vera James, Best Defensive and Miss Hustle, and Hannah Hengens was top Sixth Woman.
Lax Kw’Alaams’ Chelsea Wesley was Most Promising Player and Adelia Paul, of Kitamaat, named Most Inspirational.