by Garrett Fodor
Some of Essex County’s basketball stars of tomorrow were on display at Essex District High School last week, as the 33rd edition of the “Red Raider Rebound” basketball tournament was hosted.
Spanning over the course of two-days, a field of eight teams made up the brackets for the boys’ and girls’ teams, vowing to finish as the Red Raider Rebound Champions. Festivities began last Wednesday with the boys' teams hitting the court before the girls' teams followed up on Thursday.
With both gymnasiums packed, the excitement and cheers could be heard and felt with each point bridging teams closer to their goal, while also making lasting memories for the players scoring them.
“It's been a nice tradition in the community for a really long time now. Teams always look forward to it and I always get coaches asking when it is. The community really comes out and supports it and we are proud to host them,” David Harrison said. He organizes the tournament, while serving as a teacher and basketball coach at EDHS, in addition to being an official during the tournament. “It is definitely fun and exciting. There is definitely a lot of talent coming in and we're looking forward to seeing them continue to grow.”
The tournament featured feeder schools, full of potential EDHS students, and non-feeder schools. Harrison noted he is proud to be able to showcase the facilities and introduce students to EDHS. While keeping the costs for the tournament low, Harrison said the referees are not paid, instead being made up of volunteers and members of the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams.
He added it is a true community effort putting on the tournament, from the volunteers to the past players who are now returning as coaches. As part of entry into the tournament, every team gets a t-shirt to commemorate their participation and a chance to bring home a championship banner to their school.
“So many times people come in and they say they remember playing in the tournament, some even still have their t-shirts from when they played in grade seven and grade eight. So, it is nice to see it come full circle,” Harrison added, who recounted playing in the first Red Raider Rebound tournament years ago.
“The neat thing is that many of these kids are on different teams now, but in a year or two, they could likely be teammates on the same team. It is a change for them, but it is something to reflect on and bring them together down the road.”
Wrapping up the tournament, Lakeshore Discovery was crowned the champions on the boys' side, after defeating Erie Migration. Harrow earned the Consolation Champion title, following victory over Belle River, while Colchester won bronze, defeating Gosfield North. On the girls’ side, Colchester North defeated Essex Public School, bringing home the Red Raider Rebound Champions Banner, while Beacon Heights earned Consolation Champion honours, after defeating Lakeshore Discovery. Erie Migration would earn bronze medal honours, defeating Belle River.
Harrison expressed how thankful he is to the many volunteers who helped over the course of the tournament, along with the parents, coaches, and players, who also helped to create another successful year of the Red Raider Rebound. He looks forward to the 34th edition, next year.