Basketball Yukon is hosting the Road to the Gold tournament this weekend that will see the best basketball teams from across the north in Whitehorse.

The games started off early this morning with the Porter Creek Rams taking in the Vanier Crusaders in their home gym in front of a thick and supportive crowd.

If the early morning action is anything to go by, Whitehorse is in for a great weekend of basketball.

The tournament marks the first time Team Yukon's boys basketball team will play together ahead of the 2010 Arctic Winter Games in Grande Prairie.

"Think of this as a preview for the 2010 Arctic Winter Games in Grand Prairie,” said Tim Brady, president of Basketball Yukon. "The competition will be tough. It's a great opportunity for our players to compete against other players from the north.”

Teams from Alaska, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut will be in attendance.

Games were also underway this morning at F.H. Collins Secondary School, and will continue today with the last game at 7:15 p.m. at F.H.C. and 7 p.m. at P.C.S.S.

Saturday the tournament kicks off at 8:45 a.m. at both schools until 7:15 p.m. at F.H.C. and 12:15 p.m. at P.C.S.S.

Spectators are encouraged to come out to the games. Prizes including a flight voucher, helicopter tours and more will be handed out at the Friday and Saturday night games.

Admission is free but spectators are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Whitehorse Food Bank.

A referees clinic will also be held for officials already familiar with the game, and for those looking to learn more about basketball.

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Road to the Gold Tournament schedule

Friday, Dec. 11

Boys pool at F.H. Collins

Nunavut vs. N.W.T., 2 p.m.

F.H. Collins vs. Vanier Catholic

Secondary, 3:45 p.m.

Arctic Winter Games team vs. Delta Junction, 5:30 p.m.

N.W.T. vs. P.C.S.S. 7:15 p.m.

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Boys pool at P.C.S.S.

N.W.T. vs. P.C.S.S., 3:30 p.m.

Vanier vs. F.H. Collins, 5:15 p.m.

Arctic Winter Games team vs. Delta Junction, 7 p.m.

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Saturday, Dec. 12

Girls pool at F.H. Collins

F.H. Collins vs. Delta Junction, 8:45 a.m.

Arctic Winter Games team vs. P.C.S.S., 10:30 a.m.

Delta Junction vs. N.W.T., 12:15 p.m.

Nunavut vs. F.H. Collins, 2 p.m.

P.C.S.S. vs. F.H. Collins, 3:45 p.m.

N.W.T. vs. Arctic Winter Games team, 5:30 p.m.

N.W.T. vs. Arctic Winter Games team, 7:15 p.m.

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Girls pool at P.C.S.S.

Arctic Winter Games team vs. Nunavut. 8:45 a.m.

Vanier vs. P.C.S.S., 10:30 a.m.

Vanier vs. N.W.T., 12:15 p.m.

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The regular recreational women's basketball season continued this week as well.

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Sunday, Dec. 6

Women's basketball league scores

Feature Foods 32, Kopper Kweens 41

High Scorers

Michelle Massie, 19, KK

Megan Freese, 16, KK

Nicole Morgan, 18, FF

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Takhini Gas 32, Airport Chalet 45

High Scorers

Shauna Nyeste, 12, TG

Kate Olynyk, 10, TG

Nathalie Gionet, 17, AC

Lana Wickstrom, 14, AC