In a rematch of an opening round game in the Intermediate Division of the All Native Basketball Tournament, Skidegate once again defeated Lax Kw鈥檃laams this morning (Feb. 17) to move on to a showdown with Gitxsan (Hazelton) in a bid for the last semi-finals spot.

In the early going, Lax Kw鈥檃laams looked to be in control, doubling up on Skidegate 18-9, but the Saints went on a late period run to pull back within one at the end of the first quarter.

From there, it was a war of attrition with the teams trading mini-runs to wind up just one point apart, 42 - 41 for Lax Kw鈥檃laams at the half.

The third quarter would be the difference maker as Skidegate soundly hammered away at the hoop to win the frame 26-14 and go up 67 -56 going into the last 1o minutes.

That 11-point gap would hold as the two teams split the final quarter 16-16 for a final score of 83-72.

Skidegate relegated Lax Kw鈥檃laams to the elimination bracket on Tuesday with a 72 - 64 victory, but followed them to the other side in their very next game against Heiltsuk losing by a single point 79-78.

To set up today鈥檚 rematch, Lax Kw鈥檃laams stomped all over Gitxaala (Kincolith) 95-55.

Skidgate now has to get through Gitxsan tonight to get another shot and the team that knocked them down to the elimination bracket.

Heiltsuk got to the semi-final, which will be played tomorrow morning at 9 a.m., by virtue of a loss to hometown favourites the Prince Rupert Cubs earning them a berth in the final.

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