Shooting for Glory: St. Mary School Hosts Boys Basketball Provincial Championships

Excitement filled the air on Thursday, March 20, 2025, as St. Mary School officially kicked off the 2025 1A Alberta Boys Basketball Championships. This tournament was not only a fantastic opportunity for all participating teams but also a chance for St. Mary and the town of Taber to showcase their ability to host an event of this magnitude.

The tournament began with an inspiring opening ceremony, where all 12 teams entered the gym to hear from dignitaries, including St. Mary School Principal Mrs. Michelle Nevil, the Mayor of Taber, and other notable guests.

"It's very exciting for us to host a tournament of this scale, both for our school and our community," said Mrs. Nevil. "For these student-athletes to witness leadership in sport—through both players and coaches—while seeing the community come together to make it happen is truly special. It's inspiring, and we're thrilled for this weekend."

Before the ceremony, players were treated to words of wisdom from two accomplished Olympians—Ross Bekkering and Kacie Bosch. The star athletes shared personal experiences, offering motivation and insight into their journeys in the sport.

"As a high school student, it was always inspiring to hear from athletes who had walked this path before," said Kacie Bosch, a member of Canada’s 3x3 Olympic Women's National Basketball Team. "It's pretty amazing to now be that person for some of these incredible students in the crowd."

Ross Bekkering, a member of the Dutch 3x3 Olympic Men's Basketball Team, encouraged the players to fully embrace the experience. "I think it's important to remind these athletes to stay in the moment," he said. "As a young kid, you're often looking ahead, but it's good to cherish times like these and realize how special they are because they don’t come around often."

The tournament ran from March 20 to March 22, featuring over 150 student-athletes and coaches from 12 schools across the province. For St. Mary School Celtics Captain Rex Bell, it was an opportunity to prove themselves, especially against teams they rarely get to face.

"It's important for us to experience different levels of competition from across the province," said Rex. "These tournaments test our skills and show younger players the kind of talent that's out there. We're ranked fifth coming into this, so we’ve earned our spot and want to prove what we're made of."

Bringing the tournament to life was no small feat. Associate Principal and Basketball Coach Mr. Josh Van Uden credited the event’s success to the unwavering support of volunteers from Taber and Southern Alberta.

"Over the last two years, countless community members have stepped up to donate, volunteer their time, pray for us, and contribute in any way they can," he said. "It's been outstanding and overwhelming to see this level of support. Even now, as the games are underway, we have so many people from Taber coming out to cheer on not just our team, but all the teams participating this weekend."

The tournament wrapped up on Saturday, March 22, with Coaldale Christian School defeating Taber Christian for the championship title. The St. Mary Celtics finished in sixth place but walked away with new friendships and a greater appreciation for the sport.