It was only fitting on a weekend when the Dolphin Classic returned to its old neighbourhood, the winning team happen to feature one of city’s all-time greats back in action.
Novell Thomas hadn’t played in the popular 4-on-4 outdoor summer basketball tournament since 2012. But there was the former Steveston Packer star and national team member helping AthElite take top honours at the age of 40.
“The last time I was here (the X-Falcons) won too so I’m picking my teams well. You have to at my age,” laughed Thomas, following AthElite’s 65-59 victory over SB Battle in Sunday night’s championship game. It was limited minutes this weekend with a great bunch of guys who I have never played with before. If my body feels good and the timing is right, I might weasel my way onto another team next year too.”
Thomas was back home visiting family. He now resides in Manitoba and is entering his fifth season as head coach of the women’s basketball team at the University of Brandon.
“There has been a lot of work the last four years,” he added. “When I arrived it was a program that hadn’t won any conference games and last season we were one of four teams battling for a playoff spot. It’s the best the team has done in the last 30 years. It’s starting to move but it’s been a lot of work.”
While Thomas and Dolphin legend Aman Heran had limited roles, AthElite had plenty of young legs, led by the MVP performance of former Tamanawis standout Sukhjot Bains and all-star Tommy Nixon.
AthElite raced out to a big lead on previously unbeaten SB Battle and held off a second half charge to win its third ever Dolphin title.
The women’s draw saw defending champion Chaos rebound for a 26-point opening game loss to repeat with a dominating 64-36 win over the Original Grandma’s in the final — led by MVP Elle Kerfoot.
Overshadowing the basketball was the 31-year-old Classic making its debut at the South Arm Community Center — just blocks away from the park where it all began. The venue received rave reviews and attracted the typical large crowds that has made the tournament what it is.
“We had a block party and that’s exactly what we wanted and what we had at the original Dolphin,” said tournament organizer and founder Bira Bindra. “The consensus was everybody loved it. We had great people and great basketball and that’s what this is all about.”
Thompson Community Centre had stepped up in a big way to host the event several years ago when Dolphin Park could no longer accommodate the growing crowds. The tournament founders were hoping to replicate the original venue’s environment when a decision was made to team up with South Arm.
“It was probably even more so than what I was hoping for,” added Bruce Watson. “It just feels like we are back in the neighbourhood and this is the right place to be. It’s nothing against Thompson and the people there were wonderful to us. Sometimes things happen and they just seem to click. That’s what happened this weekend.
“We were getting great feedback everyday.”
Men’s Division
Semi-Finals
SB Battle 72 Rebels 57
AthElite 62 AIA 57
Championship Game
AthElite 65 SB Battle 59
Men’s MVP: Sukhjot Bains (AthElite).
First Team All-Stars: Tommy Nixon (AthElite), Demi Harris (SB Battle), Clay Crellin (SB Battle), Marek Klassen (AIA).
Second Team All-Stars: Chad Warren (Rapid Motors), Mike Berg (Academy), James Kenyon (Running Rebels), Gerard Gore (Running Rebels).
Women’s Division
Semi-Finals
Chaos 67 Fusion 55
Old Grandmas 57 Casacades 53
Championship Game
Chaos 64 Old Grandmas 35
Women’s MVP: Elle Kerfoot (Chaos)
All-Stars: Taylor Clagget (Cascades), Jen Ju (Fusion), Jen Bodnar (Orignal Grandmas), Megan Schaulfe (Chaos)
