CYBL All-Star Game Presented by Under Armour Makes a Splash!
The third annual CYBL all-star game presented by Under Armour took place this weekend at Saint Mother Teresa Academy in Scarborough with the best in the grade 4 to grade 8 divisions putting on a show.
It was a stunning event, a great reminder about the growth of the game in Canada and having the young kids experience the bells and whistles of a real all-star event.
Cue the steam at the introductions, to the MC on the mic throughout the entire event, to the music vibrating the gym – the event was one that this age group has never seen in Canada before.
“Its good for the kids to see,” said Shane James, Co-founder and commissioner of the League. “The younger guys don’t always get the opportunity to play in events like this, its usually for the older guys.”
Of all the weekends festivities James believes the most rewarding is the time spent with the media.
“The biggest thing is the interviews with the media,” James said. “Getting comfortable talking in front of a camera is important.”
The event also served as a great experience for a Canadian basketball community that would typically have to go south of the border to see anything relatively close to this.
“I think having Under Armour come on board was a big step as it allows us to do events like this with the kids where they can come out and participate,” explained executive director Shayna MacDonald-Sobers.
“Its about their experience, and I know it’s a big deal to see all the gear, signs and media here as it gives the kids a whole perspective of what they can do and what they have to look forward to.”
Of the games that were played last night the grade six and eight games stole the show, as both had buzzer beaters in the mix.
In the grade eight division, Jacob Adams was able to make a big splash for his squad sending the game into overtime after this buzzer beating three-pointer.
Eventually, team white pushes through and were able to win 89-80 in the extra session with Tyler Garcia claiming MVP honours with a game high 20 points.
In the grade six game Jordan Dickson hit the game winning three as his white team prevailed in overtime after the thrilling finish.
As for whats in store for the older kids, James laughed when asked stating, “We’re not going to let that secret out yet but something is coming down the pipeline.”
