Outlook for Fifth Year of 'No Regrets' Tourney

The fifth year of the ‘No Regrets’ Tournament continues the eclectic line-ups on both the boys’ and girls’ sides. Sixteen boys’ teams will compete for the coveted ‘Left Shoe Trophy’ while 8 girls’ teams join in the quest for its ‘Right Foot’ counterpart. As always, there will be a $500 Quinn Keast Foundation scholarship awarded to a deserving recipient from each side of the draw.

The boys’ draw has 9 teams from the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley and 6 teams from around BC. Brentwood and Dover Bay are in from Vancouver Island while tournament stalwarts Charles Hays (Prince Rupert) and Salmon Arm are coming back for more (never having missed one). Coach Mel Bishop of the Charles Hays Rainmakers weighs in on what the ‘No Regrets’ Tournament means to them:

“Coming from the north, where our closest competition is 100 miles away in Terrace, to stay competitive we have to travel south.  Your tournament is always well run and organized and works out well for our schedule.  So as a coaching team we are grateful to be a part of the tournament which helps us to grow and develop.  I know that the players enjoy the challenge and often some of the parents are able to make the trip south to watch which is a great experience for them.  The parents and players work hard throughout the preseason and season fundraising so that we can attend two lower mainland tournaments each year.”

Rounding out the boys’ draw is Archbishop MacDonald High School from Edmonton, Alberta. The purple and gold Marauders of Archbishop MacDonald have a storied history in athletics and brought two teams to ‘No Regrets’ in 2018, as they will this year.

This year’s girls’ draw also welcomes Luther College High School in addition to Archbishop MacDonald. The Luther Lions hail from Regina where the school is in its 106th year. It has produced a Nobel Prize recipient (Chemistry, 1933) and 3 Rhodes Scholars. It has just over 400 students and since 1953 has hosted what is now the longest-running basketball tournament in western Canada.

This year’s tournament will host a total of 41 games at five North Shore schools including Handsworth, Carson Graham, West Van and Collingwood. And, for the first time, in a brand spanking new gym, St. Thomas Aquinas will be hosting games! “Spirit Games’ will take place at all five host schools on the opening Thursday. These have become a great tradition at the ‘No Regrets’ Tournament where the hosts can show off their school spirit in many different ways.

We have some new Game Story writers this year alongside our perennial favourites, including former Handsworth grads and teammates of Quinn from 2006. Make sure to check out the tournament website for more stories throughout the next few days! And yes, this Tournament has a philosophy. It is to encourage those who embrace the great game of basketball, whether it be as a player, coach, family member or fan, to do so with no regrets. It will give back to you as much as you give it.