For the Townsman
The Wild Battle at the Border College Basketball Tournament is back again this year.
Cranbrook hosts this event to bring together teams from the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) that would not compete against each other in the regular season.
This year's teams include:
PACWEST Conference
Camosun College Chargers (Victoria)
Capilano University Blues (North Vancouver)
South ACAC
St. Mary's Lightning (Calgary)
Ambrose University Lions (Calgary)
North ACAC
Concordia University Thunder (Edmonton)
Augustana University Vikings (Edmonton)
This year's tournament will again be hosted in the "DEN" at Mount Baker Secondary School.
"We are excited to add two more teams to the draw this year" says tournament organizer Al Nutini.
The event will include three games a day starting on September 23, 2016, and ending on September 25, 2016.
"We expect some high level competition at the event. Currently St Mary's Lightning are ranked in the top 10 of the CCAA and they are expected to rise as the season progresses," says Nutini.
The event is put on to fundraise both for the Mount Baker Senior Girls Basketball Program as well as the East Kootenay PARTY Program. Tickets are $10 per day or a weekend pass for $20. Children under 6 are admitted for free.
"We are really trying to keep this event affordable," says Nutini. "When you break it down a $20 pass works out to just over a toonie per game. We hope to see a full gym this year."
The Best Western Cranbrook has helped out by providing travelling officials with accommodation and some local businesses are putting packages together for the teams to make the event economical.
"We are so grateful for the support of the community in attending and sponsoring the event. We hope the influx of 100 athletes and coaches as well as visiting families will give back to the organizations that support the event."
Organizers are looking for anyone interested in preforming at the halftime of the games. If you are interested please contact Alan Nutini @ (250) 919-0831. In the weeks leading up to the event we will be highlighting the teams and some of the players to watch.
Friday September 23
4 p.m.: St Mary's vs Augustana
6 p.m.: Ambrose vs Camosun
8 p.m.: Concordia vs Capilan
Saturday, September 24
12 p.m.: St Mary's vs Camosun
2 p.m.: Ambrose vs Concordia
4 p.m.: Augustana vs Capilano
Sunday, September 25
8 a.m.: Concordia vs Camosun
10 a.m.: St Mary's vs Capilano
12 p.m.: Ambrose vs Augustana