On the weekend of April 15-16, over 400 players from across Quebec, Ontario, Nova Scotia and New York State participated in the annual Montreal Classic Hoops tournament organized by the NDG YMCA and West End Sports Association.
Now in its 18th year, the tournament that started as March Madness is now being staged in April at six venues across the city and includes teams playing juvenile, midget, bantam and mini divisions for boys and girls.
By the time it ended, dozens of hard-fought games, and later the winning teams and standout players took turns receiving prizes and accolades.
Durham Bulldogs from Durham, Ontario, won the Mini Boys title; the Bantam Boys division was taken by Orchard School in LaSalle; Midget Boys snatched by Dawson Community Blues; Juvenile Boys won by Cartierville YMCA; Midget Girls won by YMCA Panthers from Halifax, Nova Scotia and Juvenile Girls won by The Axewoman from Wolfville, Nova Scotia.
Organizers say MVPs from the various divisions will be presented with bursaries and scholarships as a way of motivation.
One of the highlights of the event was an appearance by recently- drafted WNBA player Nirra Fields, who delivered an address to the players and by newly elected Member of Parliament for Ville Marie-South West Marc Miller.