On Sunday afternoon, the First Annual Best in the West – March Madness tournament, organized by Prince Rupert resident Judy Carlick-Pearson, wrapped up with two physical and high-calibre basketball games in the junior (under-17) and men’s division.
For the teens, it was a matchup of Team Friendship House, coached by Charles Hays basketball skipper Mel Bishop, and Team Metlakatla, coached by Carlick-Pearson.
Despite a third-quarter lead that Friendship House standouts Justin McChesney, Kolby Jones and Nick Campbell contributed to, the unbelievable shooting of junior MVP Kyler Reece and his 38 points for Metlakatla gave his team the come-from-behind 60-57 win and the prize money of $500.
For their efforts, Friendship House got $350 for second-place and Gitanyow claimed $150 for third in the four-team tourney. Aiyanch took fourth.
The senior men’s tournament, comprised of eight teams, the Wolves, Rainmakers, Terrace, the Thunder, the Silverbacks, Da Boys, the Punishers and the Bishops, took to the court in search of first-place and the $1,000 prize money.
After beating the Punishers, the Bishops lost their second match versus the Silverbacks in the double-elimination format and then reeled off three straight wins against Da Boys, the Wolves and Terrace to eliminate all three teams and gain entry to the championship final through the back door.
And surprise, surprise, their foes in the final were the Silverbacks once again.
This time though, the Bishops took it to their rivals and never lost their 14-point lead that the Bishops retained after the first half, leading 34-20.
Senior’s MVP Brody Bishop led the way with 30 points in the final for his team’s 67-54 win, claiming revenge and the championship in the process.
Darcy Pearson notched 15 points of his own for the Bishops and the Silverbacks’ Elijah Calhoun and Rich Wolffe scored 11 each and Gage Ladareur had 10.
Willie Edwards provided the crowd with some breakaway layup action on more than one occasion, earning applause for his sneaky efforts.
The Silverbacks took home $700 for second-place and Terrace grabbed $500 for third.
