Despite the weather network’s constant forecast for a rainy weekend, it was anything but for the 2nd Annual Kitsfest Tournament last Friday through Sunday.  With an increase in the level of competition from the inaugural run last year, it was not a matter of when the upsets would happen, but more a matter of whom it would happen to.  While the youth divisions took over the early portion of the schedule, the mens squads held court in the afternoon and evening, starting with a battle between last years runner up, Molson’s and Victory ( aka “Vancouver Metro” squad from the Dolphin Basketball Classic).  Falling short on Friday night left the Molson’s crew out of contention for the Kitsfest title, as the final four teams were taken from the leaders in each of the four round robin pools, which in short means “win or go home”!

Read More »

This past weekend Centrecourt hosted its sixth annual summer run, HOOPFEST TWENTY TEN and it was an event of many firsts.  After five years of calling Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary home, the tournament moved on up like George and Weezy to the penthouse that is the Langley Events Centre.  Running twenty four games over the course of two days on two courts, HOOPFEST TWENTY TEN welcomed ten teams and a combination of over three hundred people through the doors during the hot August weekend. Read More »

Ask sports fans around the city of Vancouver about the names Levon Kendall, Rob Sacre, Tyler Kepkay and Kelly Olynyk and most people will probably scratch their heads and shrug their shoulders.  Ask those same people about who the fourth line centre is for the Canucks and they will mostly likely get the answer correct.  The four names listed are hometown boys who will proudly be representing the Canadian Men’s Basketball team on Tuesday evening in the opening game of the Jack Donohue International Classic (the other two games take place on Aug 12/13 against France in Toronto).  While I have yet to come to terms with the fact that basketball will never come close, let alone equal the popularity of hockey in my home country, I would like to hope that one day the select few who are playing for our national team will at least receive a tad bit more acknowledgement than that of a checking line centre!

Read More »

For those born prior to 1986, sit back and for a moment think about something that you have done year in and year out for the past twenty five years.  Aside from the usual daily living, there are probably not many things that you have done with as much commitment and love as the Dolphin Basketball Classic crew has to put on the annual Canadian streetball event.  During the July 16-18 weekend, the “DBC” honored it’s twenty-fifth milestone by acknowledging the past, living in the present moment and looking ahead to the future.  With over forty games hitting the blacktop starting Friday night and capping off with the title game Sunday evening, there was a little bit of something for everyone. Read More »

Making your way in the world today takes everything you’ve got. Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot.

Wouldn’t you like to get away?

Sometimes you want to go

Where everybody knows your name, and they’re always glad you came. You wanna be where you can see, our troubles are all the same You wanna be where everybody knows Your name.

While the lyrics may refer to a classic t.v. show, it also reflects what the Dolphin Basketball Classic has meant to countless people during the past twenty-five years. Whether you are a player, fan or committee member, there has been something for everyone during this classic three day event held in Richmond BC. Thanks to the efforts of the four originators; Bira Bindra (Sam Malone), Bruce Watson (Cliff Clavin), TJ Johal (Norm Peterson) and Tony Wonghen (Woody Boyd), and the endless number of volunteers that have graced the Dolphin Basketball Classic since inception, this year will truly be one to celebrate. So this weekend while you are taking in the action, sit back and think about what have you committed your life to for twenty-five years?

Read More »

For those of you keeping score at home, the BC Titans have managed to do something in two years time that the Vancouver Grizzlies failed to manage in their six year history.  In both their inaugural season and sophomore year, the Titans qualified for the IBL Playoffs.  And this year,  currently riding a ten game winning streak, the BC Titans head into the IBL Playoffs starting Thursday in Portland as the hottest team in the league. Following their rookie season in which they posted a decent 6-13 record, the Titans eclipsed that mark with an outstanding 15-7 record, good enough for third overall in the International Division and fifth seed going into the IBL Playoffs.

Read More »

Standing, surrounded by 94 feet of freedom

Boundaries confine me

Over the years this space has defined me

Not for what I am, but for who I am.

Read More »

In 2001, the city of Vancouver fought through a rocky one sided divorce with the NBA and the Grizzlies.  It ended up with Memphis getting everything and Vancouver was left holding a stack of vintage Big Country jerseys and some empty court space, not to mention empty hearts.  For seven years following, Vancouver hoop fans once again adopted the Sonics of Emerald City.  Showing his apparent dislike for the Northwest corner, Stern left the 604 without a pro basketball team to call their own, moving the Sonics to OKC for the 2008 season.  Enter Jonathan Mara and the IBL.  Mara, who’s family has been a fixture on the high school basketball scene with his three sons playing key roles in the White Rock Christian Warriors success over the past half decade, proudly brought professional basketball back to the Lower Mainland as the owner of the Vancouver Titans.

Read More »