Northern B.C. represented at Indigenous basketball championship, despite not taking roster

LANGLEY, B.C. — The largest Indigenous basketball tournament for youth in the province will begin this weekend with player representation from the north.

Despite fielding a team at the Junior All-Native Basketball Tournament (JANT) for the past two years, no full team roster will represent the north region when the event tips off on Sunday, March 15th.

Treaty 8 Bison coach Cedar Wechlin explained to Energeticcity.ca the reasons behind the decision.

“It was tough getting players,” said Wechlin. “A few of our players are graduating, and a few of our players have been really competitive in volleyball [from Chetwynd Secondary School] going to provincials.

“It has just been really tough to field players that haven’t aged out. But we are really excited.”

However, two athletes from the north will take part in the tournament: Brody Pilgrim and Kallik Beattie.

Hailing from Fort Nelson, Beattie is already taking part in his third JANT despite being just 16 years old.

A combo power forward and centre, a highlight of his season was during the Lheidli men’s tournament last November in Prince George, where he earned player of the game honours after a 31-point performance.

“I don’t have any expectations,” said Beattie, who has roots with the Mistawasis Nêhiyawak First Nation near Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. “[I want] to have a really good time, win or lose. It does not really matter. I want to bond with my teammates and the people around me.”

Beattie will play with the Ahousaht Eagles from Vancouver Island.

Pilgrim, however, will not only represent his ancestral roots of Tsʼil Kaz Koh First Nation near Burns Lake, but also the community of Tumbler Ridge.

Pilgrim, a grade 12 student at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, will be playing in his last JANT tournament.  He will suit up for team Noosik from Laxgalts’ap in the Nass River valley.

The shootings left nine people, including the assailant and members of their family, dead on February 10th. 

His decision to enter the tournament after the February 10th shootings is “nothing short of inspiring,” according to Wechlin.

Wechlin, through Treaty 8 sports, even fundraised for Pilgrim’s mother to make the trip down to the Lower Mainland.

“Team Noosik is going to be what Brody needs,” said Wechlin. “They are going to be able to give him a lot of good support and help him with his grief and all things that he’s dealing with.”

JANT will take place from Sunday, March 15th to Friday, March 20th in Langley at the Langley Events Centre.