Cree Hoops boils down to Blazers and Heat

The fifth annual Cree Hoops Basketball Tournament was hosted in Moose Factory, July 18-20.

According to tournament coordinator, Willie Carey, Cree Hoops is an event created “for youth by youth,” and aims to provide a friendly yet competitive atmosphere that encourages skill development and confidence while promoting health and fitness.

This year, eight teams from Moose Factory, Timmins and Waskaganish, were registered, three in the women’s division and five in the men’s.

Teams from both divisions, ages 16 and up, competed for cash prizes.

Prizes were based on the number of teams registered in each division and were divided accordingly.

The Moose Factory Heat claimed this year’s men’s championship with a two-point

victory over the Moose Factory Mixed.

The final score was 59-57.

The women’s championship game was just as close, with the Moose Factory Blazers, beating team Moose Jam, 32-29.

The Heat took home a $1,650 cash prize, while the Mixed received $850.

The Blazers split $1000 and team Moose Jam split $500.

Other awards include:

Men’s Most Sportsmanlike Player - Allen Sailors
Men’s MVP - Jacob Winger
Women’s Most Sportsmanlike Player - Paula Echum
Women’s MVP - Shalene Gunner

Men’s Division Teams
Moose Factory Bullets

Dwight Faries
David Faries
Frankie Gagnon
Curtis Echum
Jody Cheechoo
Thomas Trapper
Rymon Echum
Shelby Turner
Otis Faries

Moose Factory Heat

Josh Alisappi
Andrew Solomon
Greg Rickard
Jacob Winger
Devin Small
Jordan Wabano
Desai Katapaytuk
Adrian Alisappi

Timmins Bulls

Byron Wabano
Correy Wabano
Trevor Jones
Brandon Hardisty
Steven Hunter
Eric Solomon
Dwayne Gillies
Shayne Gillies
Devin Koostachin
Josh Tippeniskum

Waskaganish

Randall Black
Marlon Cowboy
Joshua Rathbone
Billy Weichold
Shane Weichold
Mike Georgekish
Dwayne Salt
Malcolm Weistche

Moose Factory Mixed

Will Carey
Dan Cheechoo
John MacDonald
Ryan Wong
Ryan Sutherland
Geoffrey Trapper
Allen Sailors
Jordan Cheechoo
Joe Monture

Women’s Division Teams
Moose Factory Blazers

Shalene Gunner
Jessica MacDonald
Faye Tomatuk
Beth Wabano
Sara Wesley
Melissa Blackned
Caitlyn Rickard
Dana Butterfly
Elissa Cheechoo
Nicole Solomon

Moose Jam

Jaimie Etherington
Rosie Nakogee
Jocelyn Cheechoo
Theresa Birnie
Michelle Hunter
Dawna Edwards
Julie Hunter
Sabrina Vincent
Paula Echum

Waskaganish

Connie Esau
Chelsea Cheezo
Veronica Moses
Carrie-Lynn Visitor
Nellie Hester
Melanie Cowboy
Melissa Gilpin
Martina Cowboy