ESTEVAN — The Estevan Comprehensive School Elecs senior girls' basketball team continued to support the fight against cancer during the annual Victor Elias Memorial Shoot for a Cure Pink Basketball Tournament on the weekend.
Nine teams were in Estevan on Friday and Saturday. While the weather created some problems for the schedule makers, the tournament went ahead raising funds for Bob Seibel and Roland Montebon, two local men fighting cancer.
In terms of the on-court action, Elecs head coach Jessie Smoliak said it was a pretty competitive event.
Estevan opened the tournament with a 50-46 loss to the Moose Jaw Central Cyclones, a game Moose Jaw led 28-18 at half-time. The Elecs rallied in the third, taking the lead at one point, and the game was tied at 38-38 after three. Moose Jaw pulled away in the fourth quarter.
"If we would have made more of our shots or free throws, the game would have had a different result," said Smoliak.
Megan Porter and Jordyn Tarnes each had 12 points. Rowyn Siever picked up 12 rebounds.
It was the tournament's annual pink game, in which the Elecs donned their special pink jerseys and paid tribute to their recipients.
Their next game was a 69-63 loss to the Moose Jaw Vanier Vikings, the top-ranked team in 4A girls basketball. Estevan was down by five at halftime.
Sadie Apsinall led the offensive attack with 19 points and added six rebounds, Porter had 14 points and Tarnes finished with 12 points and nine boards.
Estevan wrapped up with a 61-49 victory over Norquay, a game that Smoliak described as a "team win" with everyone contributing.
Porter had 15 points and eight rebounds, and Presley Hollingshead had 11 points. Elli Wiebe chipped in with six points and 11 rebounds.
The other teams left after their morning games to get ahead of the storm.
The tournament is about far more than just the on-court action, thanks to the fundraising and the emotions of the event. The tournament is named after Smoliak's father, who died from cancer in 2017.
"I know dad would have been proud of the tournament and my team for their efforts in helping others. I had several family members attend the tournament to support my team which is always so comforting," Smoliak said.
A raffle table, canteen and admission at the door raised funds, and the other teams provided support. The Lesy family gave back to the tournament through a substantial donation. Their daughter Teigha was last year's beneficiary and she sang O Canada prior to the pink game.
"I'm so grateful for how the community continuously comes together this weekend to support the cause. I am always so overwhelmed during our pink ceremony when I hear how many people are affected by cancer.
"This tournament is more than just playing basketball. It has so much more meaning behind the games and that's the lesson that I am always wanting to teach my basketball girls. The meaning of kindness and thinking of others by paying it forward. The Lesy family definitely did that this year and I was speechless with how thoughtful they were."
Up next for the Elecs is regionals on March 15 and 16 in Prince Albert.
"We have been improving weekly so I was happy with how the girls are playing, but we can always do better," said Smoliak.
She added she is thankful for everyone's contribution towards the tournament through donations, fan support, team attendance, the referees, the parents of the senior basketball team, staff members, community volunteers and the players.
ECS received many compliments on the tournament's organization, fundraising for a great cause and level of competition.
"I love hearing that teams always want to return to our tournament. All grade 12s in the tournament are always recognized with a flower at the end of their last game to celebrate their years of dedication on a senior team. I know lots of the players appreciate it, including our own as we like to acknowledge their parents as well," Smoliak said.
