The All Native Basketball Tournament has come to a close after crowning a champion in each of the five divisions.
Prior to the finals on Saturday, some teams still had to battle for a championship berth.
In the women’s Division, Hesquiaht defeated Kitimaat in the quarterfinals 72-57 and Bella Coola 73-62 to earn a spot in the championship match against Similkameen. In the finals, Similkameen took an early 10-point lead and never looked back, earning a 61-29 win and the championship for the fourth straight year.
The women’s masters division saw Vancouver beat Kitimaat 48-36 in the quarterfinals before falling to Hazelton 47-42 in the semifinals. With Hazelton and Kaien Island meeting for the second time in as many days the championship was expected by many spectators to be a close match. Kaien Island and Hazelton swapped the lead several times with both teams making crucial shots to keep the game close and with seconds left, Kaien Island held a 1-point lead with Hazelton holding the ball. In the dying seconds Hazelton took a shot to take the lead which they missed giving Kaien Island the ball and the 30-29 win to repeat as champions.
In the senior men’s division, Kitkatla beat Masset 93-63 in the quarterfinals but were taken out in the semifinals by Burnaby 86-62. The finals would see a rematch of last year’s finals between Burnaby and Skidegate with Skidegate seeking redemption after losing the 2025 championship. The championship saw Skidegate and Burnaby trade big shots however Skidegate was able to take a sizeable lead to earn a 85-74 victory over the defending champions.
The men’s masters division saw Kincolith beat New Aiyansh 68-52 in the quarterfinals before losing 68-45 against Masset in the semifinals. In the finals Masset would take on the defending champions, Prince Rupert. Prince Rupert took an early lead which never wavered, earning them a second straight championship.
In the intermediate division, Masset was victorious over Bella Bella in the quarterfinals 87-83 but lost to Skidegate 91-57 in the semifinals. In the championship, Skidegate would face Nanaimo for the title. In the championship Nanaimo took an early lead and held it for the rest of the game. Despite efforts from Skidegate to tie the game, Nanaimo would hold on for a 68-54 win and Vancouver Island’s first All Native Basketball Tournament championship since 2013.
This Vista Radio All Native Basketball Bulletin is brought to you by the Lax Kw’alaams Band who welcome you to the traditional territory of the nine allied tribes.
