A grand old tourney returns
John Witlib has a lifetime of memories about the Welland Tribune Basketball Tournament.
“The first tournament I saw was when I was in Grade 7. I was at Welland high and this will be my 62nd tournament watching,” he said Friday, at a press conference to announce next week’s 66th annual edition of the oldest high school basketball tournament in Ontario.
He vividly remembers that first game.
“Notre Dame got beat by Pelham High and then they beat Welland High in the final.”
Witlib would go on to play in the tournament with Notre Dame in 1964, 1965 and 1966 and emerged as tournament champion every year.
“I was a sub the first year and the next two years I started but I wasn’t a star. I was just the point guard bringing the ball up and passing to the guys.”
This year, will mark Witlib’s last year on the tournament’s organizing committee as he steps aside to let the next generation take over. He is a former co-chair and treasurer and has served on the main committee since 2005. Prior to that, he was a member of the all-star selection committee for 15 years
“This is my 33rd tournament,” he said.
It has been a labour of love for the 77-year-old.
“I am a traditionalist and I like older things to keep going. You go through different eras and it is just amazing how many kids have gone through that tournament. They love it and it is just something I have always wanted to do.”
The tournament is returning after a two-year absence because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It was really tough on the kids,” Witlib said. “E.L. Crossley could have won it three years straight because they had such a good team. These kids didn’t get to play and I felt for them because, for me, playing in that tournament was everything.”
Mountainview Building Group returns as the presenting sponsor of the tournament.
“Mountainview Building Group has been building communities throughout the Niagara region for more than four decades. Through building, we are connected to the communities we build homes in, that’s why we are so dedicated to giving back. My whole team is very aligned with that philosophy,” Mountainview president Mark Basciano said. “Whether it’s community organizations, social services, or youth athletics, such as the Welland Tribune Basketball tournament, community involvement remains a top priority for us. We are happy to see the Welland Tribune Basketball tournament is back and we wish all the competing schools and athletes a safe and fun tournament.”
Mountainview’s sponsorship helps the tournament continue to award bursaries every year to event participants. To date, the tournament has given out $102,300 in scholarships, including $4,500 in 2021 and $1,000 in 2022.
“That is a very important part of it,” Witlib said. “The biggest part for the kids is playing but it (bursary) allows the kids to get something out of it as well. You want the kids to continue on even if they don’t play basketball. It gives them a little bit of money to go away to university or college.”
Mountainview’s assistance is invaluable.
“On behalf of the Tribune Tournament Committee, I would like to thank Mountainview Building Group as our title sponsor,” tournament chair Don Larman said. “Their contributions to our tournament and basketball community are greatly appreciated and allows us to continue to host a great tournament every year.”
The Trib begins at four sites next Wednesday. At Notre Dame, Notre Dame and Governor Simcoe will meet at 2:30 p.m. followed by Saint Paul and Saint Michael at 4 p.m. At E.L. Crossley, the host Cyclone will battle Westlane at 12:30 p.m. while Blessed Trinity and Sir Winston Churchill meet in the second game at 2 p.m. At Centennial, the host Cougars square off against A.N. Myer at 1 p.m. followed by Port High and Greater Fort Erie at 2:30 p.m. At Saint-Jean-de-Brebeuf, the host Lynx battle Eden at 3 p.m. and at 4:30 p.m., Denis Morris and Holy Cross meet.
Championship quarter-finals will be played Thursday at Notre Dame at 3:30, 5, 6:30 and 8 p.m. Consolation quarter-finals will be contested Thursday at 12:45 and 2:15 p.m. at Saint-Jean-de-Brebeuf and 3 and 4:30 p.m. at Centennial.
All the action shifts to Notre Dame on Friday and Saturday. Friday will see consolation semifinals played at 3:30 and 5 p.m. and championship semifinals staged at 6:30 and 8 p.m. The consolation final will be played 5:30 p.m.
Admission for the tournament on Wednesday and Thursday is $3 for adults and $2 for students. On Friday and Saturday, it is $5 and $3.
