INUVIK
Tyson Joe almost talks about his new mindset like a drug.

Chris Church, right, leaps with the ball during a 3-on-3 basketball tournament last weekend at East Three School. - Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

"So far (it's gone) pretty good," she said before her next game. "We played two games so far and we won both."

She had also participated in the clinic, where she learned dribbling and shooting skills.

Her team, named That Team, ended up winning the Grade 6 boys and girls division. Her squad was made up of herself, Pearl Gillis, Adrianna Hendrick and Kyra Buckle.

For organizer Lorne Guy, giving youth something fun and healthy to do on the weekend is what it's all about.

"It's a great weekend for all of us in many ways," he said. "I think if we can get kids in the gym more often, then we keep them off the streets, and that's an important thing for any community to do."

The younger ones come in with wide eyes and are usually a little sheepish at first with how busy the tournament atmosphere is, he said.

"They really start to enjoy themselves and the competition takes over and that becomes their entertainment and excitement for the weekend," said Guy.

"Seeing those young kids come out with the enthusiasm that they did, asking so many questions, they're so inquisitive. It makes for a nice weekend, a busy weekend, and we get to sweat it out in the gym, which is something I think that's really important for kids to do."

The tournament hosted 105 players and 28 teams, with Inuvik, Tuktoyaktuk, Tsiigehtchic and Fort McPherson all represented.

In the adult and U19 male division, Tuk U and Rich Gang dominated play during the round robin. Both teams went undefeated, but then the International Allstars 2 beat Tuk U in the semifinals 7-6.

The International Allstars 2 then beat Rich Gang in the finals 6-5. The winning team was made up of Dennis Dulay, Todd Glemser, Doug Keevic and Angelo Mahayahay.

In the junior boys and seniors girls division, the 2017 Dream Team beat everyone in round robin play and also in the playoffs, defeating Passive Aggressive in the final match 6-5. That team was made up of Krish Sharma, Junior Arey, Jacob Israel and Michael Ha.

Mini Magic came out on top in the junior girls and Grade 6 boys division, winning every game the team played. They were made up of Jazelle Pokiak, Kyra McDonald, Mataya Gillis and Jenna Guy.

The annual tournament helps prepare players for events outside the Beaufort Delta and gives some of the younger participants more experience and confidence, said Guy.

The tournament also acts as a fundraiser for the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

This year, registration fees raised $1,050 for the organization, putting the total over the last several years to $5846.50.

That cause hit close to home for Guy this year, who lost his father-in-law to a heart attack recently.

"We're trying to do something here to hopefully find more of a cure for heart disease," said Guy. "No one can predict that this is going to happen to anybody in their family."

Next week will be the annual 5-on-5 basketball tournament.