E.W. Pratt Chargers senior men’s basketball team wins the Peace High Nomads Invitational Basketball Tournament in Peace River. Front laying down, is Bryce Hardisty-Phillips. Front row left-right, are Benny Yellowknee, Iver Paulino, Brendyn Larson, John Tabios, Abdullah Sharkawi, Logan Krupa and Adam Cardinal. Back row left-right, are head coach Neil Barry, Andres Scarborough, Ahmed Mouallem, Tim Dutoit, Kye Anderson, Larry Yellowknee and assistant coach Tim Gordey. Missing in photo is Dustin Chalifoux.

Richard Froese
South Peace News

E.W. Pratt Chargers high school men’s basketball team won the Peace High Nomads Invitational Basketball Tournament in Peace River, Dec. 15-16.

The High Prairie team edged the Glenmary Saints of Peace River 56-55 in a nerve-wracking championship final of the 12-team tournament.

Bryce Hardisty-Phillips nailed a three-pointer in the dying seconds to seal the win.

“Our boys played amazing defence, but struggled as a team to rebound which kept the game close,” head coach Neil Barry says.

Kye Anderson made a huge defensive stop in the final three seconds to stop Glenmary’s last-second attempt to win it, he adds.

“We were shorthanded without three of our grade 12s in the final game,” Barry says.

Brendyn Larson, Dustin Chalifoux and Ahmed Mouallem were all injured and unable to play.

Top defenders were Abdullah Sharkawi with 17 deflections and Benny Yellowknee with 16 deflections.

Larry Yellowknee was the top rebounder with nine rebounds and also had 12 deflections.

“All in all, it was a great tournament and a step in the right direction,” Barry says.

Hardisty-Phillips was named the most valuable player as he led the Chargers with 17 points in the final and 59 in three games.

Iver Paulino added 13 points and led the team in assists.

Larry Yellowknee and Benny Yellowknee came up big with their defence and rebounding in the final game, Barry notes.

Pratt reached the final after beating the host Nomads 66-55 in the semifinals.

Hardisty-Phillips led the way with 19 points and Sharkawi added 15.

A High Prairie rivalry continued as the Chargers defeated the St. Andrew’s Saints 69-43 in the first round.

Hardisty-Phillips sparked the attack with 23 points, Chalifoux added 16 and Paulino chipped in 14.

Victory in the final came one week after the Chargers lost 83-77 in the final of their home tournament to the tough High Level Bears.

Upcoming, the Chargers travel to Fairview for a tournament Jan. 12-13.

Bryce Hardisty-Phillips was named the tournament most valuable player.