Young ballers impress at Cagers
YK coaches "buzzing" about talent coming through Inuvik
Stewart Burnett
Northern News Services
Thursday, March 2, 2017
INUVIK
Judging by the performance of Inuvik youth at the NWT Power Corporation Junior Cager basketball tournament in Yellowknife on Feb. 19, a lot of talent is coming up through East Three School.
Seigna Hult-Griffin, left, Pearl Gillis, Adrianna Hendrick and Kyra Buckle pose with their banner.
|
"I really feel like the younger girls that were new to the team came a long way," said Lorne Guy, who coached the Grade 8 girls.
His team came 2nd in its division, losing out to William McDonald school in the end.
"I was really pleased," said Guy. "We found a couple of girls who didn't have as much experience but really played well in the tournament."
Mataya Gillis, who played on the team, said she was happy with her performance.
"We lost two games, which sucks, but they were against the team that won," said Gillis. "It was just a fun weekend."
One thing the girls learned about each other on the trip was they all like to laugh and can't stop doing it, she said.
The two biggest challenges they faced were the William McDonald team and getting to bed early.
"I think we all learned different things about each other and we just became stronger as a team," said Jenna Guy. "We learned about our personalities and different things we like. I think we bonded."
Maryssa Camacho coached two Grade 6 girls teams at the tournament. One of those teams went undefeated and brought a banner back to East Three School.
"They didn't lose one game," said Camacho. "They dominated on the court every game. It was really great to watch. All the girls improved so much since we started practising in October."
The other girls team took second in the B division.
Two Grade 6 boys teams coached by Stephanie Parkes also competed at the Cager tournament.
One team finished second in the A Division, losing by just two points in the final game. The other was defeated earlier in the playoffs.
Coach Guy said it was a great showing for basketball from Inuvik.
"Many of the Yellowknife coaches are buzzing about the talent pool coming through," he said. "Especially some of the girls players.
"The Grade 6 coaches have really put Inuvik basketball on the map."
