Nuu-chah-nulth teams hit the floor running on Day One of the 2014 BC Junior All Native Basketball tournament in Kamloops. Two of those teams have their eyes set on championship wins this year.
In the boys division, the Maaqtussis Magic beat the Terrace Wolverines 78-55 in their first game, which was played at the Kamloops Tournament Capital Centre.
The Wolverines were willing, but were no match for Magic, which came out fast from the tip-off and never relinquished the lead afterward. Magic plays Haisla today, March 18.
But whether it’s against the Skidegate Saints or the Terrace Wolverines, there are certain absolutes expected of Maaqtussis players, head coach Travis Thomas said.
“Play hard, push the ball and play exceptional defense. That’s what I expect out of players on teams I coach.”
Magic is on a mission this year: to avenge the 100-65 loss to the Saints in the championship game in 2013.
Magic is playing with the same players as last year, but have upped its game. A year of maturing and training has steeled the team. They’ve been battle tested in their zone tournament. Izaiah Robinson, Adam Campbell and Riley Botting anchor the starting line and have stepped up into leadership roles.
But the team has an added dimension this year.
“Our bench is stronger and it’s deeper too. We were able to rotate our bench throughout the game against Terrace and they were strong top-to-bottom,” Thomas said.
Skidegate looks to be the team to beat for the boys side at this year’s BC Junior All Native. Winning the title is going to boil down to the basics.
“Hard work, team play, dominating the defensive boards and limiting turnovers will get us there and get us a title,” Thomas said.
In other action on the first day of play, the Ahousaht Chiefs lost to Laxkw’alaams Hoyas; the TFN Kings lost to the Gitanmaax Torchmen; the NCN Young Guns beat Gitanyow, but lost to Haisla.
On the girls side, Hesquiaht Storm swept through Old Masset 66-19 in their first game. The Storm will now play the Gitxsan Mystic on Wednesday, March 19.
Like the boys, the girls were runners up at the 2013 BC Junior All Native, losing to Haisla 66-45.
“We want to leave Kamloops with a championship,” said head coach Gino John.
The Storm is a bit of a different team this year. Gone are stellar guard Chelsey McIntosh and the hard working Laurissa Jimmy, both of whom aged out. Francine Charleson and Carlie Thomas are aging out this year. But the team has added Kylee Sam, Dawn Frank and Janessa Swan, all of whom played high school basketball in Nanaimo. And the team has Amber John, whose high school finished fourth at the BC AA championships, Gino John said.
Haisla looks to be the team to beat this year in the girls division and Penticton’s Syilx looks strong as well, John said.
“Winning is going to take strength and stamina. But confidence is a big must too,” he said. Other games saw the Ahousaht Ravens lose to Heiltsuk; the TFN First Ladies lost to Lakw’alaams; the Ehattesaht Storm lost to Gitwinksihlkw.
