Here’s a quick look at the field of teams for the 33rd annual Dolphin Park Classic four-on-four basketball tournament which tips-off Friday night and concludes Sunday
Men’s Division
Pool “A”
UBC: Last year the defending champs unveiled Kelowna freshman standout Grant Shephard at the Classic. Could high-profile NCAA transfers Jadon Cohee and Manroop Clair be making their debuts this weekend?
Athelite: One of the tournament’s perennial powerhouses led by longtime standout Aman Heran and is fed talent from the Surrey-based academy.
University of Fraser Valley: Abbotsford school will feature plenty of standouts, mostly from the basketball rich Fraser Valley area.
SBBVH: This hybrid team brings together SB Battle and the Vancouver Huskies. SB Battle was in the final two years ago.
G2: Another academy (G2 Athletics) driven team led by Gabe Gibbs.
Young Guns: Will feature plenty of standouts right out of high school, including former McMath stars Bryce Mason and Jordin Kojima.
Pool “B”
X-Falcons: The “next generation” for this perennial favourite, that has won more titles than any other team in Classic history, includes Richmond standouts Brody Greig and Elliot Mason.
Academy: Back in the tournament for the first time since 2015 when they reached the final, Doug Plumb’s team is expected to be contending again.
Running Rebels: Another longtime Dolphin participant led by the efforts of local product Steve Lee. Last final appearance was 2012.
AIA: Another Fraser Valley based team that has been a fixture at the tournament, led by Abbotsford’s Malcolm Campbell.
Thompson Rivers: TRU coach Scott Clark has made sure his Kamloops team is a fixture at the Classic.
Trinity Western: The Classic welcomes back the Langley school, that will be led by fourth-year guard Josiah Allison.
Women’s Division
Chaos: Always a title contender led by former two-time Dolphin MVP Elle Kerfoot, who played collegiately at Seattle University.
Fusion: Back to defend their title, led by former Bishops University standout Katy Germain.
Original Grandmas: Another Dolphin mainstay. Were runners-up two years ago, captained by former Capilano star Jenn Bodnar.
Cascades (University of the Fraser Valley): The 2017 runners-up feature former McMath standout Jessica Zawada who should be joined by her sister Abby who is headed to the Abbotsford school in September for her freshman season.
