What is better than two Tsumura Basketball Invitational champions? How about six as the high school basketball tournament sees its participating teams grow to 64 teams in six different draws.
Thirty-two boys and 32 girls鈥 teams will compete in 128 games over eight days, all at 91原创 Events Centre, with the boys鈥 teams taking the court Dec. 7 鈥 10, with the girls鈥 teams set to follow the following week (Dec. 14 鈥 17).
Each TBI tournament will feature a 16-team bracket and a pair of eight-team draws.
The TBI first tipped off in 2012 and last year saw a total of 40 teams (20 boys and 20 girls) compete for the two TBI titles.
鈥淥ver the last decade, I have been so impressed with the joy that our TBI teams bring every season to 91原创 Events Centre. It鈥檚 always early in the season and everything is still in front of our student-athletes as they set course for earning a trip to the provincial championships in March,鈥 said Howard Tsumura, the tournament鈥檚 namesake, and author of Varsity Letters.
鈥淲ith that in mind, the fact that we have been able to expand the event this season into three distinct brackets for both boys and girls does nothing but push the atmosphere over the top.鈥
READ MORE: Tsumura Invitational wraps in 91原创 with a bronze for Lightning
鈥淚 feel like the 2022 field is, top to bottom, the strongest and most competitive we鈥檝e had yet 鈥 and so many other coaches around the province have told me the same thing, so welcome players, coaches, fans and families. Over the course of our two four-day tournaments, it is my hope that the best qualities of the game we love so much will be evident for all to see.鈥
The larger brackets see each team play four games with the champions crowned on the final day while the eight-team brackets will see their champion determined on the Friday after each team has played three times. Upon the conclusion of the third games, the tournament committee will re-seed the teams to create eight new matchups for the final day based on the first three days鈥 results.
鈥淭BI is one our longest running traditions at 91原创 Events Centre. We have seen the tournament grow and develop into a staple of the high school basketball calendar, so for it to double in size this year is exciting,鈥 said Tyler Dinwoodie, Associate Director, Production Services & Communications.
Several 91原创 teams are in contention.
In the boys鈥 tournament, the 16-team bracket includes the Walnut Grove Gators, while the eight-team draw #2 has the Aldergrove Totems, Credo Christian Kodiaks, D.W. Poppy Redhawks, 91原创 Christian Lightning, 91原创 Fundamental Titans and R.E. Mountain Eagles.
Girls鈥 16-team bracket has Brookswood Bobcats, and 91原创 Christian Lightning, while the eight-team draw #2 includes Aldergrove Totems, Credo Christian Kodiaks, DW Poppy Redhawks, 91原创 Thunderbirds and R.E. Mountain Eagles.
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There is no cost to attend the games, which will also be streamed for free at
For full schedule and results, visit
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