This past weekend, thirty-two teams from across Ontario came to Ottawa for the 24th National Capital Senior Boys Basketball Classic.
The three-day event put Ottawa basketball to the test with two Centretown teams, Glebe Collegiate and Immaculata High School, battling for gold.
Despite starting the tournament with a loss, Glebe went on to win the top spot with a 51 to 34 win over Western Tech from Toronto while Immaculata lost to Glebe in the quarterfinals.
“Winning this tournament is a test of endurance,” says Alex Overwijk, of the Glebe Gryphons. The Gryphons, a favourite, have made it to the finals of seven tournaments this year, winning five of them. With that record and only one regulation game left before the playoffs, Overwijk says, they are hoping to make a play for city championship.
The tournament is just a snapshot into the strong basketball programs across Ottawa.
“It’s a good tournament to showcase our talents,” said Richard Sutton the tournament convenor. He says that this tournament usually foreshadows potential OFSAA matchups and allows the team to size up their competition.
Glebe is sitting in the second spot for the east with a record of six wins and three losses. In top spot is Sir Robert Borden who remains unbeaten.
This year Ottawa hosts the OFSAA AAA boy’s basketball finals in March.