The 2023 Terrace Riverboat Days Opens Men鈥檚 & Ladies Basketball Tournament, held from August 3 to August 6, was a resounding success, according to organizer Keith Azak.

Featuring 34 teams from across the province and region, the competition unfolded across three local venues 鈥� Terrace Sportsplex, Skeena Middle School and Caledonia Secondary School 鈥� and the participating teams were divided into four divisions: men鈥檚 and ladies, and men鈥檚 and ladies masters.

The men鈥檚 division saw teams such as Similkameen, The Mambas, Prince Rupert Cubs, and the eventual winners, the Burnaby Chiefs. The ladies division was filled with skilled competitors like Haisla, Nations United, and Gitmidiik Thunder, with Nations United taking home the victory.

The masters divisions were also fiercely contested. The Terrace Titans triumphed in the men鈥檚 masters division, while Gukelut emerged as the winners in the ladies masters division.

Cash prizes and other rewards were on the line, with the men鈥檚 division winners taking home $3,000, and other division winners receiving $1,000 for first place. All teams were also treated to hoodies and t-shirts.

鈥淭he level of play this year was elite,鈥� Azak proclaimed. 鈥淓very team and division that stepped on the floor was top-notch.鈥�

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Though one fewer team participated compared to last year鈥檚 35, Azak was proud of the high level of play and the tournament鈥檚 positive economic impact on Terrace.

鈥淚 hope Terrace recognizes and appreciates the level of play we鈥檙e now bringing to the city,鈥� Azak said. 鈥淭his can and will continue to grow and become bigger and better each and every year coming out of the pandemic.鈥�

Besides providing thrilling basketball, the tournament drew players and fans to local attractions and restaurants. Azak noted the joy of seeing players from communities in the Lower Mainland, such as Burnaby and Vancouver, enjoying themselves in the city.

The economic benefits were 鈥渉uge,鈥� according to Azak. The tournament involved four straight days of basketball, and in one of the quarter-final games, 850 people packed into the Terrace Sportsplex 鈥� a significant number for a city of 12,000.

Azak鈥檚 hopes are high for the future as the city prepares to host the 2024 Junior All-Native Basketball Tournament. He expects the fifth annual tournament to be 鈥渟tronger than ever鈥� and is eager to see the event continue to grow.

鈥淥ur sponsorship is also starting to grow, as some of the larger players are starting to recognize that this is an annual event and it does support the whole community, not just First Nations because it鈥檚 open to all,鈥� Azak said.

In reflecting on the success, Azak鈥檚 focus remains on Terrace鈥檚 potential. 鈥淚鈥檒l definitely be leaning on the City of Terrace to once again prove to them that we need a full-time hardwood floor facility for the game,鈥� he stated.

Viktor Elias joined the Terrace Standard in April 2023.

Tips or story ideas? (250) 638-7283 ext. 5411 or viktor.elias@terracestandard.com.

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