The Fort St. John Flight basketball teams have recently returned from the Good Hoops Classic in Edmonton, where they left a lasting impression. The club was represented by two boys teams and a girls squad from both the U15 and U17 divisions, and they showcased their exceptional skills and sportsmanship against top basketball programs from Alberta, B.C., Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.
According to Flight president Jessalyn Moskalyk, the teams displayed remarkable poise and guile throughout the tournament. Moskalyk stated, “This is one of the larger tournaments on the schedule. I would say our level of readiness has improved compared to last season.”
The U17 Black boys team particularly excelled, going undefeated and capturing first place in the tournament’s silver division. Additionally, the Flight’s U15 girls squad performed admirably, winning two of three games and finishing second in their division. Overall, Fort St. John teams won 14 out of 23 games in the tournament.
Specifically, the U15 Boys Black and U15 Boys Orange teams secured second place in their respective pools, while the U17 Boys Black team clinched first place in their pool. The U17 Girls team also impressed, finishing in first place in their pool.
The Good Hoops Classic, which initially had over 180 teams at its inaugural tournament in 2019, has been gaining attention from basketball enthusiasts. The FSJ Flight only began entering teams in the competition in 2023.
Moskalyk expressed her satisfaction with the girls’ competitiveness and the program’s improved consistency, highlighting it as a significant boost for the athletes. She remarked, “Being able to run the girls program more consistently has been a huge boost for our athletes. In terms of growth, our program has done very well.”
For those looking to learn more about Flight, they can visit the team’s Facebook page or contact them via email at [email protected]. It’s evident that the basketball teams from Fort St. John were able to leave their mark at the Good Hoops Classic, and it’s exciting to see the progress and success of the program.