TAMANAWIS Secondary has won its second consecutive Surrey RCMP Basketball Classic double, winning both the senior and junior titles.

The senior Wildcats overpowered the Southridge Storm 73-65 as the school claimed its third title from five consecutive championship game appearances. Consolation for Southridge came from Hunter Hughes being named player of the game for the final.

And the prospects for continued Tamanawis success in Surrey’s premier high school boys’ basketball competition look good with the Wildcats beating the Lord Tweedsmuir Panthers 62-52 for the junior title. Tamanawis’ Akash Manes was named the game star.

The senior Lord Tweedsmuir squad also had a strong performance, taking bronze from Fleetwood Park Dragons with a 69-43 win. The Panthers’ Justin Rudio was player of the game.

Third place in the juniors went to the Fraser Heights Firehawks 51-46 over the Sullivan Heights Stars. The game star was the Firehawks’ Sumeet Singh.

This was the 24th edition of the classic and the final was played in front of a huge crowd at Enver Creek Secondary.

“It’s great to see such support for this annual event that is so popular with the students, schools, and parents in Surrey,” says Kevin DeBoice, Surrey RCMP Basketball Classic committee co-chair. “I thank everyone who helps make this tournament happen; particularly our partners, the Surrey RCMP.”

Surrey RCMP Inspector Ghalib Bhayani says their officers enjoy taking in the games, seeing young athletes compete and the students cheering each other on.

“What a tremendous tradition this long-standing tournament has become over the years,” he says. “Thanks to the Surrey school district and all those who participated and helped make it another successful event.”

Scholarships will be presented at the All Star Classic at Enver Creek Secondary on March 27 to deserving athletes who are encouraged to continue their academic studies and athletic careers.

Application information is available from coaches or online at the Surrey RCMP Basketball Classic website.

THE Surrey RCMP Basketball Classic is a high school basketball tournament that has been taking place in Surrey since 1992. The popular event is scheduled for one week in January each year and is the largest RCMP sponsored tournament in the country.

The tournament was created by the Surrey School District and Surrey RCMP to help foster positive interschool competition and create a healthy relationship between the RCMP and students.

During the Classic Week over 70 games are played, involving over 650 students from Surrey high school and junior high schools and hundreds of spectators. The tournament culminates with the Senior Championship Game and the presentation of a number of awards presented by the RCMP.

In the spring, the All Star Classic is held to showcase the top 20 graduating male and female players in Surrey. Scholarships are also presented at this event including:

* Roger Pierlet Memorial Scholarship, in honour of the first Surrey RCMP officer killed in the line of duty

* Chris Mohan and Ed Schellenberg Memorial Scholarships in memory of the two innocent victims killed in the Surrey six murders.

(Info: Surrey Schools and Surrey RCMP)