The Nuxalk Nation’s Nunanta Jr. Boys played their hearts out at the Nanaimo Invitational on January 20, 21 and 22 and it showed: they walked away with the top spot in the weekend tournament.
“These boys were provided with an opportunity to play basket ball in different community,” said coach Richard Hall. “I see this basketball program as an opportunity to save lives and at the same time change the boys perspective on what they can achieve with hard work.”
In Nanaimo they played the defending 2015-16 Jr. Boys basketball champions, and they worked hard and were successful: winning two games to get into semi-finals. In the semi-final game they lost by three points and were sent to the losers bracket but they played on and won to go to championship round.
“The final was very intense game and pure defensive and strategic planning by coaches and support from the Nuxalk audience and led them to success,” said Hall. “At end of game the host held our players high because of their sportmanship and dedication to traveling to Nanaimo.
As coach I want to thank the people behind the scenes to make this happen: Tuesday Edgar, their dedicated hardworking manager, Mary and Gary Brown for escorting, fundraising and promoting. Ryan Parr and Duncan Edgar who have stepped up in the gym as coaches and trainers while I was away with Nuxalk Nation business.
I want to say thank you to the parents, and ask them to continue to be proactive and support what we do for the kids; to become part of their journey and give them the opportunity to represent the Nation. The hard work is just beginning and we can build up our children. We still need help with escorts, fund raising, and planning. Thank you again.”
