Wednesday was Sweet Sixteen day at the 2012 B. C. Junior All Native Basketball Championships as 16 unbeaten teams, eight in the boy’s tournament and eight in the girl’s, met on the hardwood, all of them hoping to win today’s games and avoid having to claw their way back on the losers’ side of the draw.
By the end of the day, those 16 teams would have met in eight games, some of them close affairs, with none, arguably, more dramatic and more intense than the match-up between two teams from Ahousaht First Nation.
Tournament Photos: http://www.hashilthsa.com/photos
There are people that will tell you basketball in the Ahousaht Nation is a 24/7 sport. Judging by the calibre of play that comes out of the area, the pundits would seem to be right.
So, it would come as no surprise when two teams from the area took to the court early Wednesday morning and produced an up-tempo, high-drama basketball game in front of a near-capacity crowd at the Alberni District Secondary School gymnasium in Port Alberni.
It was big brother against little brother, as the Wolf Pack, made up predominantly of 16- and 17-year-old players, faced Maaqtusiis Magic, whose roster boasted players 15 and under.
From the opening tip-off to the final buzzer the game was played at breakneck speed as both teams hit the floor running, and in the end a three-point basket from the Wolfpacks’ Isiah John was the difference for the team, which out-lasted Magic 83-82.
But not before Magic had one last attempt that fell just short.
After John’s basket gave the Wolfpack an 83-80 lead, Magic took a time-out and then scored on the in-bounds play to narrow the lead to one point.
A full-court press by Magic forced the Wolfpack into committing a turnover and Magic had a chance, but a shot to win fell just short and the buzzer sounded before Magic could get off another.
While the Wolf Pack never trailed, Magic was able to tie the game at 24-24 mid-way through the second quarter, and again, at 80-80 in the final minute.
In between the ties the two teams slugged it out like a pair of heavyweight boxers, the Wolfpack jumping out to a big lead; Magic fighting back and looking like the better team, only to see the Wolfpack respond and regain their advantage.
Three times in the last six minutes Magic fought back from large deficits only to have the Wolfpack answer with three-point baskets to regain control – once at 69-65, then again at 75-71, and finally just prior to John’s heroics.
The loss relegates Magic to the losers’ bracket from where they will face a tough task to reach the finals, but Maaqtusiis coach Travis Thomas feels his team will be ready for the challenge.
“We have a couple of Fijian rugby players who train us. We do sand training, and our basketball training – we do nothing but train,” said Thomas with a confident smile. “We’ve prepared for tournaments like this.”
Wolfpack coach Paul Hayes praised his opponents saying, “It was a very good game. The young guys are coming on; they’ll be a force to be reckoned with in the years to come. Our defence gave a little today, but we fought back.”
Hayes also went on to say that his team was somewhat the underdogs in Wednesday’s contest. Not necessarily on paper, but more so because they are the older team.
“But the guys knew that,” said Hayes. “So it didn’t really affect us.”
A show of sportsmanship was on display at the conclusion of the contest. In a departure from the normal practice of teams saluting each other from their benches, the two teams met together at mid-court and saluted each other together.
“We are all Ahousaht,” said Hayes when asked about the mid-court cheer. “That was very important.”
In other Sweet Sixteen news, the Wolfpack join Heiltsuk Nation, Syilx and Prince Rupert as the only remaining undefeated teams in the boy’s tournament. Heiltsuk defeated Van City 62-29 on Wednesday, while Syilx defeated Skidegate and Prince Rupert defeated tournament hosts Homiss Wolves 79-59.
The Wolfpack will face Heiltsuk on Thursday at 10:30 am, while Syilx and Prince Rupert meet at noon. Both games take place at the Alberni Athletic Hall. The Magic will join Van City, Skidegate and Homiss in the loser’s bracket.
On the girl’s side of the tournament Haisla defeated Bella Coola 55-39 and Gingolx were winners over the NCN Lady Warriors 65-62. Mystic Suns and Snuneymuxw were also winners, beating Laxkw’alaams and Lytton respectively.
Winners bracket games continue Wednesday as Haisla and Gingolx are to meet at 6 pm at Athletic Hall, while Mystic Suns and Snuneymuxw meet at the same time at Maht Mahs Gymnasi
