Maple Ridge’s Trevor Casey was a provincial basketball champion twice over as he helped the Skidegate Saints from Haida Gwaii capture gold at the B.C. Junior All Native Basketball Tournament on March 23, just a week after winning a AAA provincial title with the Terry Fox Ravens.
The Saints topped the Heiltsuk Nation (Bella Bella) 66-62 in the final game of the tournament, with Casey contributing 19 points.
A total of 42 boys and girls teams took part in the tournament in Port Alberni. Casey, the only Saint’s player who does not live on Haida Gwaii, was named to the tournament’s first all-star team, along with team mates Nathan Vogstad and MVP Joel Richardson.
It was the second provincial title for Casey in a week, after his high school team, the Terry Fox Ravens, defeated the Walnut Grove Gators 75-74 to win the AAA Boys High School Basketball Championships at the Langley Event Centre on March 17. Casey was named a first team all star in that contest as well.
After losing on Wednesday to the Okanagan Nation Syilx, 85-82, the Saints had to play a grueling four games on Thursday, defeating the Gingolx Sons (Kincolith) 73-36, Lax kw’alaams Hoyas (Port Simpson) 58-29, Ahousaht Wolf Pack (Vargas Island in Clayoquot Sound) 73-57 and the Prince Rupert Friendship House Beavers 76-43.
That set up a rematch with Sylix in the tournament semifinals, which the Saints won handily, 79-32 to advance to the final.
“The boys played nine games altogether, and after their one loss to Sylix, they showed how bad they really wanted it,” said Coach Duane Alsop. “Not only did they have to play four games in one day, but another two games on the final day. “