Account Login/Registration

Access KelownaNow using your Facebook account, or by entering your information below.


Facebook


OR


Register

Privacy Policy

VIDEO: 46th Western Canada Basketball Tournament tips off in Kelowna

Since the 1970s Kelowna Secondary School has been hosting the top-ranked basketball teams from all over Western Canada. As is often the case, the host KSS Owls are not favoured to win the tournament, but fans are guaranteed of one thing: A tournament that always features the best available teams.

Don Walker has been involved in running the tournament for almost 30 years and he spoke with as the 46th Interior Savings Western Canada Basketball Tournament got underway on Thursday.

"I remember as a player travelling up from Summerland, and I was amazed that I was denied entrance because the gym was full," recalls Walker from the tournament's early days at the old KSS location. "I had never heard of that. So when I joined the staff, I thought 'this is something I've got to be a part of.'"

<who>Photo credit: Lorne White/ KelownaNow </who>

Walker said that when the tournament was started by former Owls coach Jack May in 1974 the idea was to bring in the best teams.

"It wasn't about building a tournament that you can win," said Walker. And that's proven true with just three tournament wins for the host Owls over that 46-year span. "Last year, of the eight teams," recalled Walker, "five of them were either in or won their provincial finals."

<who>Photo credit: KelownaNow </who>

The Owls may not be favoured to win the tournament but a 93-72 win over Ross Sheppard of Edmonton to start the tournament raises hopes a little. "Anything can happen," said Walker.



If you get value from KelownaNow and believe local independent media is important to our community we ask that you please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter.

If you appreciate what we do, we ask that you consider supporting our local independent news platform.


Send your comments, news tips, typos, letter to the editor, photos and videos to news@kelownanow.com.



Weather
webcam icon

weather-icon
Fri
12℃

weather-icon
Sat
12℃

weather-icon
Sun
14℃

weather-icon
Mon
16℃

weather-icon
Tue
20℃

weather-icon
Wed
11℃

current feed webcam icon

Recent Livestream




Top Stories

Follow Us

Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Follow us on Linkedin Follow us on Youtube Listen on Soundcloud Follow Our TikTok Feed Follow Our RSS Follow Our pinterest Feed
Follow Our Newsletter
Privacy Policy