Hazelton got off to a strong start at the 2025 All Native Basketball Tournament in Prince Rupert last weekend.
The Women's team wasted no time dispatching the Prince Rupert Rain 54 - 30 on opening day Feb. 8 and following that up with a 65 - 56 victory over Greenville.
In the brand-new Women's Masters division, Hazelton is one of eight teams that entered. The 35+ Gitxsan women were also victorious in their opening game against Kitkatla with a score of 57 - 31.
The Senior men will see their first action this afternoon (Feb. 10) at 4 p.m.
The only Gitxsan team that lost in the first round was the Intermediates, who came short against Lax Kw'alaams 68-73. The loss made their path to the final a little more complicated in the double knockout format of the tournament, bu they immediately followed that up with a win against New Aiyansh 78 - 63.
The only division without a Hazelton team this year is the Masters division.
The All Native Basketball Tournament is celebrating its 65th year in 2025 and is one of the biggest basketball tournaments in the country. This year it attracted 62 teams in five divisions.
The tourney runs until Saturday Feb. 15 at the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre in Prince Rupert with all five championship games scheduled for that day.
