The Port Simpson Strike Force got off to a hot start and held off a skilled and determined Bella Bella team to their third straight All Native Tournament intermediate finals on Feb. 17 in the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre.
“Man what a ride,” said assistant coach George Henry. “I was beyond proud to help these guys this year.”
Port Simpson were the presumptive favourites entering the tournament, but there was plenty of game competition standing between them and another championship. 2017 finalists and second-seeded Prince Rupert was knocked out of the tournament early after upset losses to Hazelton and Kitkatla.
This left the losers side of the draw open for talented teams like Hartley Bay and Hazelton to make their bid for a championship spot. However, it was Bella Bella who made it through to the finals after beating Hazelton 69-65 in the loser’s bracket semi-finals.
Both teams showed nerves early in the game, but it was Port Simpson, led by John Sampson with seven first quarter points, who found themselves first. Port Simpson made shots from the outside and were relentless on the offensive glass, creating second and third chances to score. The Strike Force were rewarded for the effort with a 15-point 26-11 lead after the first quarter.
However, Bella Bella responded in the second quarter. Led by Jordan Gladston and Kobe McKnight, who had 11 points and eight points respectively, Bella Bella was able to reduce the deficit to only six points at the end of the first half.
The two teams played each other to a virtual standstill in the third quarter with Port Simpson scoring 19 points to Bella Bella’s 18 points. In the fourth quarter, the two teams continued to trade baskets.
Bella Bella closed to within seven points, but a timely corner three-pointer by Taylor Ross extended Port Simpson’s lead back up to ten. The Strike Force would make their free throws down the stretch and hold on to win their third consecutive intermediate title.
Bella Bella top scorers - Kobe McKnight (28), Jordan Gladstone (27)
Port Simpson top scorers - John Sampson (24), Jakob Henry (21), Hayden Jeffrey (21)
MVP - John Sampson