If Bella Coola organizers have their way, Williams Lake will be flooded with basketball players this spring.
Roughly 40 to 50 teams are expected to converge from March 13-18 when the Junior All Native Basketball Tournament arrives in the lakecity.
“We put in a bid against nine other communities to host it and were chosen,” said one of the tournament’s directors, Roger Harris.
“There will be, with parents and managers, about 22 people per team in Williams Lake.”
Harris, who lives in Bella Coola, has been involved with the tournament for roughly the past 20 years as his children participated in the annual event.
Two divisions, junior boys and junior girls aged 14-17, will be contested at the tournament.
“Last year’s tournament was in Nanaimo. The year before was Kamloops,” he said.
“Hopefully the tournament will bring some revenue to Williams Lake and it may open some eyes for other communities in the area.”
Harris and the organizing committee of the non-profit society putting on the tournament are looking for sponsorship.
If anyone is interested in volunteering or helping out they can contact Harris at 250-305-7183.