67th annual Totem basketball tournament

Alberni Girls aim for a consecutive Totem title

The 67th annual basketball tournament begins Jan. 5

By Alexandra Mehl Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Port Alberni, BC - As Alberni District Secondary School gears up for their 67th annual Totem Tournament, set to begin Jan. 5, the senior girl’s basketball team are preparing to make this season the most memorable of their career. Natalie Clappis of Huu-ay-aht First Nations is a Grade 12 student at ADSS and captain of the senior girl’s basketball team. As Totem approaches, this will be Clappis’ fi nal year playing in the tournament. This year the ADSS senior girl’s team are going into Totem carrying the winning title from last year. “I think if we push ourselves and if we have confi dence, we can do it again this year,” said Clappis. ADSS, Belmont, Kwalikum, Pacifi c Christian, Ballenas, and Nanaimo District Secondary School (NDSS), will be the participating senior girls teams this year. With crowds of over 500, Clappis said that the support and energy that the community brings to the tournament is her favorite part of participating in Totem. “I think having the whole school and the community come out and cheer for you,” said Clappis, “the intensity of everything and the environment… it’s just loud and it’s encouraging. And I think that’s my favorite part.” Clappis is looking forward to bringing her team into the tournament, especially with the girls that are playing in their fi rst Totem, and for the support they will give each other throughout their games. “I’m feeling really excited for this year’s team. I think we have a lot of potential and we have a lot of new girls,” said Clappis. “I’m excited to see what we can bring.” Brandi Lucas of Hesquiaht First Nation is a Grade 12 student at ADSS and plays point guard on the senior girl’s basketball team. Lucas’ favorite part of playing basketball is building connection with the team. “It’s fun and all playing actual basketball. But when you play with a good team and good teammates, who make it fun [and] who make it worth going, I think that’s the best part,” said Lucas. Lucas said she feels both nervous and excited with the approaching the Totem tournament. “Last year we did so well. But this is a new year and I think we can do better,” she said. For both Lucas and Clappis, among other seniors, this will be their fi nal year playing in the Totem tournament. “With just this last year I think all of us seniors are just wanting to have fun,” said Lucas. “We just want to have fun and do well this season.” Steve Sperger, coach of the ADSS senior girl’s basketball team, said that the process leading up to Totem has been about becoming whole as a team. This is Sperger’s fi rst year as coach of the ADSS senior girls, and since the beginning of their time together, they have focused on getting to know each other and learning how to work together for the upcoming season, said Sperger. Sperger is also excited about the ADSS and broader community cheering for the senior girls in the tournament. “Totem tournament is such a big event, and this means so much to everyone here,” said Sperger. “For me as the coach, I want to give the girls every opportunity to shine and show who they are and present themselves in front of their community.” “I think it’s really exciting, and we got to make the best of it…for mine, and other senior’s last year,” said Clappis.

Photo submited by Jennifer Anderson Alberni District Secondary School senior boys basketball team. Senior boys team approach tournament with a spark

With Totem 67 around the corner, the team is harnessing lost opportunities and already winning in 2022

By Alexandra Mehl Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Port Alberni, BC - The Alberni District Secondary School senior boys’ basketball team is jumping into Totem 67 revived after two years of cancellations and postponing of the tournament due to the pandemic. The team is bringing a new spark with them to this season and Totem 67. “I think the biggest thing is just the return to the full experience,” said coach Craig Brooks, the senior boys’ basketball coach of approximately six years. “We have some players returning this year that didn’t get a chance to experience the band and a full packed house, and all the energy that comes with that,” After Totem 66 was cancelled in 2021 due to the pandemic, it was once again postponed the following year. Due to a public health order last year’s Totem, originally scheduled for Jan. 6. 2022, was postponed to March. “This will be the authentic thing. And there isn’t a player on the team that’s had that,” said Brooks refl ecting on the upcoming tournament, scheduled for Jan. 5. Brooklyn Doiron of Tseshaht and Ahousaht is a Grade 11 student at ADSS, as well as a point guard and shooting guard for the senior boys’ basketball team. For Doiron, this will be his fi rst time playing in Totem. “It’s my fi rst Totem so I’m pretty excited for it,” said Doiron. “Totem’s always been a great thing to watch. So, it’s pretty exciting now that I’m going to be playing in it.” Doiron has watched the last two Totems, he said. Doiron began playing basketball because of his shared love of the National Basketball Association (NBA) with his father. He has been playing the sport for fi ve years. There are many layers to the meaning of Totem, said Brooks. There’s school pride, the extent that the community is involved, and the depth that the players are involved in their community, he explained. “The boys are constantly aware of how we’re connected to the community,” said Brooks. Brooks said that in his years of coaching he’s always had hard-working players. With this team, they have been preparing all summer for this upcoming season, he said. “Part of that is because of the girls success last year, going to provincials, [and] winning Islands, and that sort of sparked a fi re.” said Brooks. “We’ve got some really talented players this year as well.” “This year, the guys won. They see those lost opportunities [due to COVID-19] because again, it’s out of our control. And I think they want to make a name for themselves and for the school,” said Brooks. The team is already on a roll with a fi rstplace fi nish at the Gravel Pit Classic and third-place at Isfeld Ice Invitational.