Is the Nanaimo Tyde the new Burnaby Chiefs for the All Native Basketball Tournament?
Like the Chiefs in 2022, Nanaimo made its first appearance at the venerable tournament in the Intermediate Division this year.
Also, like Burnaby in 2022, the Tyde breezed through the competition undefeated in their first year en route to the title.
Comprised primarily of Prince Rupert kids who now attend Victoria Island University in Nanaimo, time will tell whether the team will graduate to the Senior Division as Burnaby did in 2023, but in the meantime, they have etched their name into the ANBT history books.
Even a very fast and skilled Skidegate Saints team ended up not being much of a match for the much bigger and more physical Tyde squad.
While the Saints matched the Tyde blow for blow and even led at times in the first quarter, Nanaimo started pulling away with an explosive second period. They put 26 points on the board during the second 10 minutes to lead 43-29 at the half.
Starting the second half with a sizable lead, Nanaimo seized the momentum to make the 20 points.
Although Skidegate won the third quarter 12-10, the damage was already done.
The Tyde were led by Joseph Lewis Jr., who cleaned up on the individual awards, including, most importantly, Most Valuable Player.
Lewis had 19 points in the final, followed by Parker Moscrip with 14.
The top scorer for the Saints was Levi Burton, who had 18.