Kamloops calling all basketball fans

Page 11

The Kamloopa Invitational Basketball Tournament is once again calling its fans to gather for fun and fair play.

The Kamloops Coyotes men's team is hosting the tournament at Kamloops Senior Secondary on March 29 to 31. The Coyotes will also co-sponsor an all-Native women's tournament held by the Kamloops Redskins on March 30 and 31, the site still to be announced.

It all started in the early 1990s when a group of volunteers interested in basketball saw a need for the development of a tournament open to all First Nations, said Keith Matthew, the tournament co-ordinator.

Compared to 10 years ago, the tournament "almost doubled in size." Last year, it counted 10 men's and eight women's teams. "It brings in about 200 players," he said.

"We've had some really, really good young players, like Garry Edgar from Bella Coola. He played on B.C.'s elite team that competed in Canada Summer Games in 1993. So we've had some extremely good calibre players that come to the tournament."

The tournament attracts teams from across British Columbia, Washington and Alberta. And fans that follow basketball throughout the province come out for the great play.

"They really enjoy our type of basketball 'cause it's exciting and it's fun to watch."

Matthew expects this year's tournament to surpass last year's competition.

"I'm looking forward to a successful event," he said. "We have a really good administration. . . It's geared towards fair development and we really think that we've worked hard to establish a good reputation, and we're fair and offer a fairly good assortment of prizes. It's a good competition," said Matthew.

For more information call Keith Matthew at (250) 672-2467 or (250) 371-2594.