VICTORIA – The University of Victoria men's basketball alumni get set to host their seventh Senior Boys Invitational. All 12 senior boys' games will take place December 28-30, 2025, at the CARSA Performance Gym in Victoria, featuring the top ranked teams in the province. In addition, the UVic men's varsity team will host an all-star Vikes alumni squad in an exhibition match.
 
Alumni chair Phil Ohl underscored the tournament's high standard of play, adding that the inclusion of the top-ranked Vikes varsity team makes for a weekend that delivers on every level.
 
A huge thank you to event sponsors: Freshcoast Health Food Bar, Ritual Nordic Spa, Smugger's Cove Pub, The Grind, Hot House Pizza, and Team Sales, who's support makes the tournament possible.
 
The tournament tips off at 1:00 p.m., Sunday December 28, with battle of two highly ranked teams: The Dover Bay Dolphins and the St. Patrick's Celtics. St. Patrick's enters the event sitting atop the AAA rankings, undefeated after a demanding schedule against elite AAAA competition. Head coach Nap Santos is a legendary figure in BC high school basketball, having guided the Celtics to four provincial championships. This season is no different. The Celtics have been a buzz saw early on, knocking off ranked teams such as Tamanawis, Terry Fox, Holy Cross, and Semiahmoo. Riley Santa Juana (6'1") has won multiple tournament MVPs already, but is not the sole engine of the team. Jaiden Quan (6'0"), Jericho Labrador (6'0"), Jemuel Castro (6'4") and Dhyne Cotin (5'11") are all more than capable of leading the Celtics in scoring on any given day.

If anyone can match the Celtic's offensive output, it's Dover Bay. Guided by coach Darren Seaman, the Dolphins play relentlessly in transition, moving the ball up the court with breakneck speed to find open shots early and often. Their scoring average of nearly 100 points per game can be difficult for opposing squads to match. They are lead by a trio of talented grade 11s: high octane Team B.C. guards Joe Linder (6'1") and Dane Schmidt (6'6") played as grade tens last season and set the tone for the group. They are now joined by dynamic scoring guard Ahmed Eltahhan (6'0").

In the second match up of the tournament (3:00 p.m.), the Vancouver College Irish face off against the local Lambrick Park Lions. A regular in the rankings, Vancouver College enters each season as a top team in B.C., and this year is no different. Fresh off a strong tournament run in Edmonton, the Irish turn their sights towards the B.C. landscape. Head coach Ryan Shams has implemented a modern, skill-driven style built on crisp execution, unselfish ball movement, and sky-high energy. Ashton Wong (6'4") is the hub of the Irish – a viciously quick, left hander that smoothly scores from all 3 levels on the court. He's fresh off a summer with Team BC U17 along with his teammate Nathan Chen (6'3") – a slippery guard who plays well off the dribble. Lucas Tan-Ngo (5'11") rounds out the trio as a high IQ playmaker with a knack for timely assists.

Lambrick Park has been a fixture on the island basketball scene, thanks to the consistent work of coaches Colton McKee and Ed Somers. The Lions have embraced the modern game, their offense is a blizzard of quick drives and kick outs. Many regard Blake Pye (6'1") as the top guard in B.C. Pye has opened the high school season with multiple 40 plus point scoring performances already. Opposing teams are on red alert whenever the ball is in Pye's hands. Adam Shi (6'1") adds scoring punch and play making with flair. Damian Orr (6'6") is a mobile big with excellent touch at the rim. Watch for rising grade 11 wing London Buck (6'5") as an early breakout candidate for this team.

At 5:00 p.m., the Oak Bay Bays match up against the G.W. Graham Grizzlies out of Chilliwack. The Bays have a familiar face on the bench. The UVic Vikes all-time leading scorer Diego Maffia takes the coaching reins of the team in place of long-time bench boss Chris Franklin, who took a step back this season. Maffia has his Bays running a balanced offense that stresses opponents in multiple ways using their unmatched size. Goodwill Jabo (6'7"), Ty Humber (6'6"), and Simon Wiwcharuk-Burr (6'4") are all Swiss army knives, equally capable of punishing defenses from the perimeter or in the post. If that wasn't enough, big man Lucas Border (6'7") adds yet another imposing vertical force to the Bays' attack. As well, senior guards Marcus Kao (6'0") and Olin Lakos (6'1") provide strong perimeter play on this competitive island squad firmly in the provincial title conversation.

Making the trip from Chilliwack, the G.W. Graham Grizzlies arrive as one of the fastest-rising programs in the AAAA ranks. Head coach Jake Mouritzen has steadily built the program into a deep, skilled contender that hangs its hat on toughness and gritty play. Watch for senior point guard Beckett Goertzen (6'3") to break games open with his deadly shooting and play making. Cenny Sola (6'3") stands out at both ends of the floor, while Nick Baker (6'2") and Jeremy Yilmaz (6'1") provide high-level three point shooting prowess. Big man Kale Bartel (6'7") is a tough presence in the paint and a terrific leader for this team.

And finally, the Kelowna Owls square up against our final island team, Brentwood College, at 7:00 p.m.. Kelowna returns to the Vikes alumni tournament once again as a powerhouse out of the Okanagan. Coach Harry Parmar has built a signature brand of basketball that overwhelms teams with constant pressure, surprising traps and up-tempo play. Their system is powered by the tenacious guard play of Wells Grundy (6'2") Logan Parker (6'0") and Humraj Chalal (6'1"). Thomas Anderson (6'6") provides size and additional scoring depth. These Owls have been firing on all cylinders since the start of December, trouncing teams from both B.C. and Alberta.

Finally, Brentwood College joins the fray as the final island representative. Brentwood's legacy speaks for itself, with Blake Gage leading the team for over two decades and consistently making deep runs at the BC High School Championships. The mark of a Brentwood team is plenty of motion, a flurry of screens, cuts, and ball movement that any basketball purist would appreciate. Jackson Lenarcic (6'5") may be Brentwood's version of Larry Bird; a tall dynamic guard who seemingly can get his shot off from anywhere he pleases. Jaxon Lust (6'2") is a versatile forward that uses strength and touch to make his mark. Keep an eye out for Ben Akindipe (6'4") - a rangy rim protector who provides scoring in bursts.
 
TICKET PRICES
Adults:  $25 Tournament Pass* / $10 Day Pass *
Children 12 and under: $5
Children 5 and under: Free

*includes UVic men's game
 
Both CASH and CHARGE/DEBIT cards accepted.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE – home team listed first
 

Sunday, Dec 28th – Day 1   1PM Game 1: Dover Bay vs. St. Patrick's 3PM Game 2: Vancouver College vs Lambrick Park 5PM Game 3: Oak Bay vs. G.W. Graham 7PM Game 4: Kelowna vs. Brentwood College

Monday, Dec 29th – Day 2   11AM Game 5: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 3 1PM Game 6: Loser Game 2 vs Loser Game 4 3PM Game 7: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 3 5PM Game 8: Winner Game 2 vs. Winner Game 4