The second annual Jamie Shaw Memorial Tournament came to an exciting close on Saturday at F.H. Collins. In the championship game, the F.H. Collins Warriors took on Skagway.

The game was a rematch of last year’s final which F.H. won. Using tough defence and crisp passes in tight quarters, the Warriors were able to repeat as champions winning 54-30.

Before losing his fight with cancer, Jamie Shaw was the athletic director, then vice-principal at F.H. Collins.

Warriors guard, Jealyn Minguito, spoke about repeating as champion and what it means to win for Shaw.

“It’s been a really great opportunity to play for Mr. Shaw,” said Minguito. “He’s been a really good coach and teacher. He really encouraged others. Winning this tournament is really special for us, we’re doing it for him.”

Although never her coach, Minquito said Shaw would give her pointers.

“Every morning in the gym I would go in and shoot ball,” said Minguito. “He would come in and keep saying ‘Just keep shooting’ he keeps encouraging people. That’s what I miss about him.”

Minguito said the games at the Jamie Shaw Memorial Tournament carry more emotion.

“A little bit, it is,” said Minguito. “At the end of the day, it’s all about Mr. Shaw, for the team and for F.H.”

Having played against each other in last year’s final, the teams were familiar with one another and the rough stuff began to take hold.

“Basketball is a contact sport but we just worked hard passing the ball, swinging the ball, and putting it in the basket,” said Minguito. “It’s all about teamwork.”

Skagway utilized a 2-1-2 defensive scheme packing the paint. This took away the Warriors driving opportunities forcing them to shoot from outside the key.

In the second quarter, the Warriors began to break the zone by moving the ball.

“More passing,” said Minguito. “Our coach told us to pass more, drive and pass and just score on the basket. That’s how we broke the zone.”

In the first quarter, the teams were feeling each other out and there was not a lot of offence. Skagway’s defence denied the paint and the Warriors shooters were cold from the perimeter.

Skagway was able to generate some good looks at the rim, but their shooting was cold as well. Neither team was able to get easy points in the transition game.

The Warriors began to break the zone in the second. They were able to get past the top two defenders to get into the paint. Drawing the centre forward, they made crisp bounce passes to their cutters on the block for points at the rim.

Also, the Warriors improved their rebounding and got out and running for transition points.

Skagway moved the ball well and got shots from the elbows of the key, but they just weren’t falling.

In the third quarter, the Warriors continued rolling. Up and down their bench, they got good contributions from everyone on both sides of the floor.

Minguito took advantage of some of the nice in-tight passes from her teammates for easy buckets.

Maren Bilsky was a force on the fast break, even if she wasn’t the one scoring, she’d get the rebound or outlet pass and found her cutting teammates for easy points at the rim.

In the post, McKenzie Amundson and Ella Pollock ripped down offensive rebounds for second chance opportunities.

F.H. continued to roll through the fourth quarter and kept their foot firmly on the gas on the way to their second Jamie Shaw Memorial tournament trophy.