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Yukon basketball tournament draws in talent from across the north

Basketball Lights Out Yukon Invitational Tournament hosts its eighth annual tournament from Jan. 30 to Feb. 2, drawing in 30 teams from the Yukon, B.C., N.W.T., and Alaska

Basketball players from the Yukon, B.C., N.W.T., and Alaska are returning for the eighth annual Basketball Lights Out Yukon Invitational Tournament, held in four Whitehorse schools, scheduled from Jan. 30 to Feb. 2. 

Basketball Yukon has released this year’s roster, showcasing 30 teams registered to compete for an opportunity to secure a podium finish and seize the opportunity to earn up to $1,250 in cash prizes. Teams from Vancouver to Inuvik have registered to compete in this year's annual Yukon basketball tournament.

Teams are divided into four divisional categories comprising adult, youth, male and female teams. Among the 30 registered teams, approximately 13 youth teams from Inuvik, Yellowknife, Watson Lake and Whitehorse have registered to compete in this year's tournament. The competition features a variety of divisional matches across all venues throughout the tournament.

Thursday sees the tournament's opening games at 4 p.m with round-robin matches happening simultaneously at F.H. Collins Secondary, St Francis Secondary and Porter Creek.

On Jan. 30, F.H. Collins' junior boys team competed against Porter Creek Secondary's junior team on their home court. At 5:30 p.m., the Whitehorse Fruit Hoops took on the Cinnamon Toast Dunks teams. Men's direct matches followed, with the Air North Jets playing CSG at 7:00 p.m. and North Star Mini Storage facing the Pain Killers at 8:30 p.m.

On the same day, the St. Francis girls' junior team began the games on their home court against the F.H. Collins junior girls' team at 4:00 p.m. F.H. Collins' senior boys team competed against Mercier's team in a match that followed at 5:30 p.m., followed by the Inuvik and St. Francis junior boys teams competing at 7:00 p.m.

At Porter Creek Secondary, the school's boys team faced off against St. Francis at 4:00 p.m., followed by a women's game at 5:30 p.m. between the Sugar Crisp Shooters and Honey Nut Hoopers. The Chef Angleos competed against the Far O Way Guest House men's team at 7:00 p.m., followed by a match between the Goats and FCBLY at 8:30 p.m.

Friday's schedule begins with more round-robin matches at 4 p.m. with games including Porter Creek Secondary's junior team vs. Inuvik's junior team at Porter Creek Secondary and Mercier vs. Yellowknife at F.H. Collins.

On Jan. 31, F.H. Collins will host round-robin matches for Pool A and B teams from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. St. Francis will host Pool B matches, Porter Creek will host Pool C matches and CSSC Mercier will host Pool A matches during the same match hours. 

Saturday's games start at 8 a.m. with quarter-final and semi-final matches lined up across four Whitehorse schools. Key matchups include the heavy hitters in the Pool A and B teams facing off at Porter Creek Secondary, while Pool B and C teams compete at F.H. Collins Secondary. 

Saturday’s games also include placement and consolation matches at CSSC Mercier. 

The tournament wraps up on Sunday with the Women's Championship happening at 3 p.m. at F.H. Collins Secondary, followed by the Open Championship at 4:30 p.m. The high school girls' championship is scheduled for 11:30 a.m., followed by the high school boys' championship at 1 p.m.

Contact Jake Howarth at jake.howarth@yukon-news.com