And the host of the 2012 B.C. Junior All Native basketball tournament is: Port Alberni.
The Homiss Wolves are hosting the tournament during next year’s March spring break.
But the wolves got to host the 2012 event in Alberni again by default after no other southern team submitted a rival bid for it.
The event was last hosted in Alberni in 2009.
Wolves coach Bruce Lucas said he was nervous but confident going into the coaches meeting where the vote took place.
“I knew we had it and was confident even if another team submitted a bid,” he said.
“But it was still exciting when chair person announced that “The 2012 Junior All Native basketball tournament will be hosted by the Homiss Wolves”.”
The event might be a year away but a tournament committee has to be struck, which will do the planning and leg work leading up to it.
“We have to contact city council, meet with athletic hall society, schedule gym time with the school district and approach Tseshaht about using Maht Mahs gym,” Lucas said.
“We have to meet with businesses about the tournament too.”
More than 50 teams and 750 players, coaches and supporters travelled to Port Alberni to attend the event in 2009.
There are 12 Nuu-chah-nulth boys’ and girls’ teams competing in the 2011 event in Penticton.
The B.C. Junior All Native is the oldest standing junior basketball tournament in B.C.
reporter@albernivalleynews.com