Prairie Basketball League travel teams enjoy rare home games
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This article was published 25/03/2024 (417 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
The gym inside the Steinbach Regional Secondary School was packed March 9, as basketball fans from the city got a chance to get a good look at some of the region’s best players.
Three of the Prairie Basketball League’s (PBL) travel teams hosted exhibition games, with fans able to take in a full day of hard-court action.
“These travel teams are the best local players from our local teams,” Abram Razon, the commissioner of the PBL said as games were taking place.
“Basically that also helps keep the local games more competitive, because everyone is trying to get on these travel teams.”
As the tournament schedule ramps up, the travel teams will be practicing at least twice a week.
“Leading up to (tournaments), we want to make sure everyone’s on the same page and in top shape,” Razon said.
One of the teams in action was the FBA Steinbach team, an all-Filipino team which competes in an annual tournament against other Filipino teams from across North America in early August.
The team will be travelling to Niagara for the 2024 edition of the tournament with high expectations.
“We hope to win the title,” Rezon said.
“A lot of our players here, they don’t have many years left. It’s such a diverse team in terms of age, that we want to make sure we accomplish that goal before we introduce new members.”
The other teams in action on March 9 included an all-Asian team, as well as a new Elite team, which is looking for tournaments across western Canada to compete in.
The league is in between seasons right now, with the winter season finishing up in late-January, and the spring season set to begin March 30. The players on the elite teams play for various teams in the PBL, which will boast 46 teams across six divisions this year.
“It’s community first for basketball over here,” Rezon said.
“Even if you’re not into basketball, please do come watch the games, just to check it out and see for yourself. We try to welcome everybody to try and grow the sport.”
The league also puts together youth travel teams through Aim High Basketball Academy in Winnipeg, although those teams were not in action last weekend.