After 54 years without All Native Tournament title, it was only fitting that the Kitkatla Warriors had to wait one more overtime to get their hands on the championship trophy
The Warriors had to survive against a talented, veteran and determined Hydaburg team that would not stop fighting to win the finals of the senior men’s division 70-67.
“There’s no words that can describe how this feels,” said Warriors guard and tournament MVP Jacob Thom. “This year we were finally able to get over the top.
“Last year we came up short in overtime, but our guys stepped up and made some big shots for the win.”
READ MORE: Thrilling finish to 59th All Native Tournament
Kitkatla made it to the finals without losing a game on the winner’s side of the bracket. Hydaburg started the tournament strong, but were forced to play their final three games without their starting point guard Vince Edenshaw, who was removed from the tournament due to immigration issues. Hydaburg lost to Kitkatla in the winner’s bracket semi-finals, but recovered by beating Ahousaht in the loser’s bracket semi-final to set up a rematch with the Warriors.
Kitkatla took control of the game early, leading 34-20 at the half, but Hydaburg would not go away, outscoring Kitkatla by seven points in the third quarter to cut the lead to 44-37.
Hydaburg opened the fourth, led by forward Damen Bell-Holter on a 15-5 run to take a 54-50 lead with just more than three minutes remaining. Just when it seemed as if the game was going to slip away from the Warriors, guard Dustin Eaton hit back-to-back three-pointers to give Kitkatla a two-point, 56-54 advantage. Hydaburg hit two free-throws to tie the game but Thom followed with two free-throws of his own, putting the score at 58-56 for Kitkatla. Hydaburg missed its next shot and Thom was fouled, missing both free-throws. But Kitkatla got the offensive rebound, and with just over three seconds remaining Adrian Robinson took a foul, missing his first shot and making the second to take a three-point lead 59-56. Hydaburg’s Bell-Holter took the inbounds pass dribble the full length of the court and drained a deep three as time expired to send the game to overtime.
“Damon hit that big shot at the end there, and we were like ‘not again,'” said Thom. “But our guys stayed with it.”
Kitkatla got off to a quick start in overtime, taking a 66-62 advantage thanks to early foul shots and a layup by Thom. Hydaburg responded yet again, with Bell-Holter scoring on a drive to the basket to cut the Warriors lead and then hit a deep pull-up three-pointer to give Hydaburg a 67-66 lead with less than a minute to go. The Warriors put the ball in Thom’s hands, and he delivered with a deep high-arching three of his own to give Kitkatla a 69-67 lead.
“I’ve practiced that shot all the time, it’s nothing new to me,” said Thom. “I had all the confidence in the world that I was going to hit that.” Hydaburg was unable to score on the following possession and Kitkatla held to their lead to win the title and avenge last year’s overtime loss. As the final buzzer sounded fans streamed onto the court and cheered with the Warriors players.
“It feels fantastic, we’ve waited a long time for this,” said Warriors coach Clarence Innes. “I’m so proud of these boys. “The effort they put in and the perseverance they showed was awesome.”
READ MORE: Best basketball town per capita
Jacob Thom was named MVP and Kitkatla top scorers were Jacob Thom (36), Dustin Eaton (17), and Charles Leeson (9). Hydaburg top scorers were Damen Bell-Holter (37), George Peratrovich (8), Nick Nix (7).
