There were no playoffs, trophies or medals awarded in this year's Early Bird Basketball Tournament, but none of that mattered for the players who took part.

Participants enjoyed themselves by merely playing the game and that is exactly what the tournament's goal is.

The annual event, held on Friday and Saturday, is open to all students in the Yukon who are playing on school basketball teams in Grades 8 through 10. This year Grade 8 students played at Vanier Catholic Secondary, while students in Grades 9 and 10 both played together at Porter Creek Secondary School. The tournament focuses on individual and team improvement through game experience rather than wins and losses.

'We just want to get kids playing basketball,' said Paul MacDonald, the tournament's organizer at Porter Creek. 'There is not a lot of competition in the Yukon at anything, so we just want to get them as many games, as often as we can, as early as we can.'

Normally, this tournament is put on in January, but because of a shorter basketball season in 2007-08, the Yukon School Athletic Association decided to hold it before Christmas.

The Early Bird Basketball Tournament features both boys' and girls' teams. Three schools took part in total in the event this year, being F.H. Collins Secondary School, Porter Creek and Vanier. Usually, the tournament attracts teams from Haines Junction and Watson Lake, but despite being invited there were no rural teams in attendance this year. Seven teams played at each school in a round robin format over the course of the two-day event.

'The purpose of the tournament is to get students actively involved in the game of basketball so they can learn the rules, fair play, sportsmanship; all that and big emphasis in fundamentals,' said Jeff Teasdale, tournament director for the Grade 8 category at Vanier. 'You can get those in practice, but it is key to get them in game time, that is where you really learn how to play.'

Teasdale has been involved with the Early Bird Basketball Tournament since the mid 90s and said holding this event has advantages for kids playing the sport over just practicing.

'You see an accelerated growth in a situation like this because they go from a little game experience to a lot,' he said. 'After their fourth or fifth game they are not usually the same player they were when they started, so it's fantastic.'

He thinks the tournament helps attract more kids to the sport, which is good for both the game and the kids playing it.

'You want to get them hooked on the game and having a positive experience right off the get go, so that you retain them through the years,' Teasdale said. 'It is great when they are involved in stuff like this, it really opens up a lot of doors for them.'

Daniel Martin-Guhl is in Grade 8 and plays for Vanier. He said the best part about participating in the tournament was just getting out on the court and learning some new moves, while having fun at the same time. Martin-Guhl plays left-guard and has been active in the sport for a couple of years.

He said it was fun to start the season with a tournament.

'You get to learn what the other teams are like and what you are up against.'

Martin-Guhl said, with one game remaining, his team did pretty well at the event.

'We won two of our games and lost one, so we are doing okay,' he said. 'We wanted to work on our plays a lot because that is the most important part of the game.'

Martin-Guhl thinks his team is better after playing in the tournament and plans on participating next year on the Grade 9 and 10 team.

Alcina Banks was the co-coach for F.H. Collins 9 and 10 girls' basketball team. She said she enjoyed her first coaching experience at the Early Bird Tournament.

'It was so much fun,' she said. 'These girls we have are great, so it makes it fun and easy to coach.'

She thinks it is important to hold this type of event.

'It's a good chance for these kids to get out and get some game time,' she said. 'They have just started, but you can only practice so much. You need games and the experience and it's fun.'

Banks is looking forward to the rest of the season and thinks it should be enjoyable for both the coaches and players.

'As long as the girls are having a good time and getting to play that is the most important thing,' she said.