The 2023 Big Ticket basketball tournament has come to an end after an incredible week of intense competition. Fans were treated to some of the best high school basketball talent in the province as teams battled it out for a shot at the trophy. The tournament was a huge success, with players putting on a show every day of the week.
The Junior Girls kicked off the finals action, with Semiahmoo dominating Holy Cross with a convincing 50-33 win. Sona Sran was awarded the final MVP award after a fantastic performance. The Thunderbirds Junior Girls made a statement this week, walking away victorious with a +116 point differential. Semiahmoo is a well-coached program that has seen great success over the years, and the girl’s program is ready to take that step for the school. Sona Sran, Jaida Claypool, Ava Strauss & Savanna Wong are a tough group of players to beat.
The Junior Boys final followed, with Enver Creek taking a 60-45 win over the G.W. Graham Grizzlies. The Cougars were exceptional throughout the tournament and have a promising core of talent leading the way for the junior squad. Udhay Grewal, Smeer Sandhar, Avi Khanna & Sahaj Hans led the way for the Cougars and are names to watch, not only this season but in those to come.
The Senior Girls showcased a provincials preview as Riverside narrowly bested a tough Argyle squad. The Big Ticket featured three Quad A powerhouses in Seaquam, Argyle, and Riverside. However, the Rapids continued their winning ways with a 65-60 victory over the Pipers. Mikella Camp was awarded the finals MVP with strong output from Avery Sussex, Henna Virk, Reese Tam & Jorja Hart throughout the week. Argyle made the game difficult for Riverside, but the resilient squad found a way to get the job done. As the season progresses, it will be a treat to see what these programs can accomplish.
The Senior Boys wrapped up the event as the Lord Byng Grey Ghosts narrowly defeated Lord Tweedsmuir 69-65. The Panthers had an exceptional start to the tournament and were playing with a chip on their shoulder. However, the Grey Ghosts were on a mission and after a strong provincial performance, the squad, another year wiser and stronger, wouldn’t let any team get in their way. Hart Kreter has been dominant to start the season and walked away with the trophy and Finals MVP. Lord Byng entered the season ranked first for a reason and is showing exactly why.
As always, the biggest highlight of the Big Ticket is the $40,000 in scholarships given to those who exemplify outstanding work ethic on the hardwood and in the books. In partnership with Water Street by The Park, the Future of the Province was awarded their scholarships at Riverside.
Overall, the 2023 Big Ticket was a huge success, showcasing some of the best high school basketball talent in the province. Congratulations to all the teams and players who participated and made this event a memorable one. We look forward to seeing what the future holds for these talented athletes and their respective programs.
