Local Journalism Initiative
Aaron Hemens, Local Journalism Initiative, Kelowna Capital News
For a third consecutive year, the Similkameen Starbirds won the women’s division at the All Native Basketball Tournament on Saturday.
The smǝlqmíx team defeated “Vancouver’s” All My Relations 75-53 in the final matchup, earning them the championship and a perfect 4-0 record in the tournament, which was hosted in Prince Rupert for its 65th year from Feb. 8 to 15.
As was the case in their other three games, pressure defence was the driving force of the Starbirds’ win. Their full-court press strategy, combined with off-ball pressure and double teams, led to steals, turnovers and points throughout the game.
Rebounding, second-chance points, playmaking and clear communication were also deciding factors on offence as well.
“It’s hard to press the whole tournament — every game. But our defence wins us championships. We’ve proved that three times in a row,” said Jasmine Montgomery Reid, who led the game in scoring with 24 points and was named player of the game.
Montgomery Reid was also selected as the defensive player of the year in her division this year. She also made the women’s all-star team with teammate Madison Terbasket.
Starbirds’ player Jade Montgomery-Waardenburg was named the most valuable player in the women’s division for the second straight year, and Reiley Terbasket earned the Ms. Hustle award.
“We’ve got the championship for the third time. Three-peat — it’s been in the back of our minds forever. It feels so good to win today.”
Jade Montgomery-Waardenburg, Similkameen Starbirds player
“Oh my gosh — so proud of my team,” Montgomery-Waardenburg said shortly after the final buzzer sounded. “We’ve got the championship for the third time. Three-peat — it’s been in the back of our minds forever. It feels so good to win today.”
Starbirds head coach Andrew Gini praised Montogemery Reid and Montgomery-Waardenburg’s efforts in guarding All My Relations star Shenise Sigsworth, who was limited to 12 points in the outing.
Sigsworth and teammate Zoe Collison were also named to the women’s division’s all star team. Sigsworth scored a total of 134 points in total in this year’s tournament, earning her the highest scorer and most outstanding player awards.
“If you give (Sigsworth) space, she can kind of pick you apart. We try to pressure her and get up on her, and make sure it’s difficult,” said Gini. “That was a great game, defensively, again.”
Gini said he was happy to help contribute to the dynasty the Similkameen women have created, especially since he had previously coached many of the players at different points in their basketball careers before joining as the team’s head coach this year.
“It’s not like it was on me or anything,” he said. “They’ve won a couple of years in a row.”
For Madison, she said it felt really good to win three years in a row and to achieve such a feat by going undefeated in this year’s tournament.
“I feel like being from the south, it’s a bit harder to make a name for yourself. It’s really nice that we’re undisputed now,” she said.
The finals win on Feb. 15 marked Montgomery Reid’s fifth time winning gold throughout her years playing in the tournament.
“I went twice in a row with Bella Bella and couldn’t do the three-peat,” she said. So what was it that enabled the Similkameen team to pull off the three-peat?
“Defence. It’s always defence,” Montgomery Reid said.
She said she was proud of her team and praised the younger players for the roles that they played in helping them win.
“It’s good to bring a championship home again.”
Jasmine Montgomery Reid, Similkameen Starbirds player
“They put in some huge minutes this whole tournament,” she said. “It’s good to bring a championship home again.”
Montgomery Reid said it was special for her to win three in a row with Montgomery-Waardenburg and Madison as teammates, who have all been playing basketball their entire lives.
“I actually played against an old teammate. We won two championships, me and her on the other team. It’s pretty amazing that we’re all here again. It’s good for women’s basketball.”
Jasmine Montgomery Reid, Similkameen Starbirds player
“We’re all first cousins. We’re all family,” said Montgomery Reid. “I actually played against an old teammate. We won two championships, me and her on the other team. It’s pretty amazing that we’re all here again. It’s good for women’s basketball.”
She later gifted her player of the game award to a friend who had lost a loved one, saying that she was taught from a young age to give back to those who support the team.
“I usually give them away to Elders if you ever get them,” she said. “People pay a lot of money to come up here.”
Madison and Montgomery-Waardenburg both had the same response when asked if the three-peat felt as good as they thought it would.
“It feels even better,” they said.
