INUVIK - Samuel Hearne Secondary School's gym was a noisy spot during lunch hour on Jan. 14.

Richard Steward of The Team struggles to keep the ball from Paul Schab of Miami Heat during play at the Samuel Hearne Secondary School basketball tournament Jan. 11 to 14. - Aaron Beswick/NNSL photos

Three basketball games raged around vice-principal Lorne Guy, who stood with the scoreboard and timer. While competition between minds and bodies was obvious, there was another purpose to the school's basketball tournament where 45 students and staff formed 12 teams and competed over three lunch breaks from Jan. 11 to 14.

"The tournament promotes physical activity, but in doing so there are people out there who have heart conditions and are in situations where they can't be physically active," said Guy. "We're just trying to be part of solution by supporting research."

The School Leadership Council, which organizes the tournament with help from staff, teamed up with the Heart and Stroke Foundation through their Hoops for Heart Campaign and Basketball NWT. The foundation provided prizes while the tournament raised money for the foundation through team registrations and selling popcorn. Last year students raised $570, a number which Guy expected to surpass with this tournament.

"It was pretty spirited; we had a good time," said Guy.

By the sound of the final buzzer, the Winners Team had stolen the junior girls championship, the Zoners were top junior boys and Moodle Team (composed of staff) went undefeated to take the senior boys/staff division.

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