The annual Arrowsmith Community Recreation Association (ACRA) 3-on-3 Youth Basketball Tournament showcased the region’s future talent on the hardcourt at the Coombs Fairgrounds gym.
The fun, friendly and also competitive event, held in conjunction with BC Youth Week May 1 to May 7, is the only 3-on-3 tournament held in Parksville Qualicum Beach.
This year featured five teams with one coming from as far as Lasqueti. Two teams stood out: the Kondors, whose members are junior players from Kwalikum Secondary, and the Larry Bird’s Birds, Grade 8 ballers from Ballenas Secondary.
It was the Kondors that took home the top honours but they had to work doubly hard.
The Larry Bird’s Birds team of Kaemon Daniel, Westt Mentlein, Kai Dundedale and Jonah Kolen-Lee dominated in the round-robin, and were the only unbeaten team entering the final.
They needed just one more win against the Kondors and the title of champion was theirs but it didn’t go their way.
The Kondors, who were bested by Larry Bird’s Birds in the round-robin, made a strong comeback in the final and had to beat their conquerors twice to win this year’s 3-on-3 title.
The Kondors team consisting of Finlay Chisholm, Erik Chisholm, Fenn McKechnie and Keefer McMorran, used their size and strong inside game to outplay their younger rivals in the first of the two final games, winning 13-9 to keep their title hopes alive.
The second final game was also closely contested as both sides traded baskets and at the end of regular play, the score was tied at 9-9. A two minute tiebreaker followed and it was the Kondors that scored crucial baskets to give them an 11-9 win.
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Finishing in third place were The 3 Pointers (Jack Meyer, Archie Moody, Micah Campbell and Sam Campbell).
ACRA recreational co-ordinator Kristine Stephenson said the tournament was another success.
“The participants played their best,” said Stepheson. “But this isn’t the kind of tournament that emphasizes winning. It’s about enjoying the game, supporting each other and sharing their love of the sport. It’s a small tournament, but it has a lot of heart.”
Stephenson also applauded the support they’ve received from many sponsors including the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN), who has help fund this tournament every year through its recreational grants program as well as from the many voluteers.
“As the cost of living continues to rise, I think free events are increasingly more important,” said Stephenson.
“Grant funding from the RDN and donations from local businesses enable the event to function, but it really is the volunteers who make the event possible. When people are kind enough to share a few hours of their time, they really do make a big impact on their community and create incredible opportunities for youth.”