OHSWEKEN — This year marked the fifth Rez Hoops Tournament held at the Da:joh Youth and Elders Centre. Since 2017, the tournament has been used as a development tournament for youth basketball players, previously paused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Rez Hoops started back in 2017 to give our kids and youth an opportunity to learn, create lasting friendships, play the game they love. Many youth have now completed high school, college, university, working, trades, returned to school and some have played at NAIG, NABI, Team Ontario, NAYO, and OFSAA. One young man is currently starting point guard playing college ball at St. Lawrence College, while some young ladies at Algonquin, Conestoga, and Monroe Community College are doing a lot of good to share and spread the love they have with this game to oth-ers. Keep on inspiring and playing everyone; respect and believe in yourself!” Wrote Kevin Sandy, a tournament coordinator to Facebook.
The Da:joh tropics were named Gr. 7 and 8 champions, with Rez Ballers given sil-ver and Kenhte:ke Wolves Boys awarded bronze. The Kenhte:ke Wolves Girls earned gold, and the Warriors Boys earned gold as well., with the Niagara Regional Native Centre (NRNC) earning silver. Two exhibition games for the Ladies Open division took place between Kenhte:ke and Six Nations as well.
