DIDSBURY -- Although no local teams ended up in the final, the 2018 Natasha Cameron Neilson Memorial Senior Girls Basketball Tournament was a big success, say organizers.
The tournament, held Feb. 8 and 9 at Hugh Sutherland School (HSS) in Carstairs, featured six varsity and junior varsity teams competing in honour of the former HSS star player, who passed away in 2002 at age 21.
The final saw Oilfields High School from Black Diamond knock off Calgary's Crescent Heights 56-52. Also competing were the varsity and junior varsity teams from Olds, Innisfail and the host Kodiaks.
Both Larissa and Ali Cameron, sisters of Natasha, were on hand at the tournament. Larissa, who is the coach of the Olds junior varsity girls team, said the tournament went well and is a great way to remember their sister.
"Every year that this tournament is hosted it's another tender reminder that my older sister made a difference in the world," said Larissa. "Tasha was a gentle person but a force on the court. She played basketball with a passion and worked hard every single minute she was playing. She never let up."
Larissa said the tournament is set up to honour the legacy of Natasha by putting the focus on hard work and dedication rather than just wins and losses.
"My family strives to keep that sort of mentality going in women's basketball because that's the kind of attitude that helps you be successful not just on the court but off the court as well," she said. "We give out the Heart and Hustle Award after each game, instead of an MVP, because we want to recognize the girl who may not necessarily score all the points or get all the steals; instead we wish to spotlight on the girl who is always working hard every time she steps on the court or is always cheering from the bench."
Larissa said this year's tournament was a lot of fun. She said the family is thankful for all the support from parents, friends, family and Red Deer College (Natasha's alma mater) as well as the business community in Carstairs.
"With my parents serving a humanitarian mission right now they weren't able to be here for it but they provide so much support and love from Samoa," said Larissa. "It makes it easy to pull this together with the rest of my siblings. We love hosting this tournament and this year was no exception!"
Larissa said the tournament featured some very exciting basketball.
"I thought the competition this year was some of the best we have seen in a long time," she said. "We had two very competitive final games with Oilfields playing back to back to win the championship. It was intense and a lot of fun to watch."
This year was the 12th annual Natasha Cameron Nielson Memorial Tournament. Natasha played basketball for HSS and moved on to play at Red Deer College.
In 2001 Natasha and her husband moved back to Carstairs to live on a farm. She helped coach basketball at HSS as well.
