Sackville set to host trio of basketball tourneys in March

March will be an exciting month for basketball in Sackville.

The local minor basketball association will be hosting three major tournaments over three consecutive weekends next month, drawing more than 500 people into the community.

"This is a really great opportunity for the town," said Andy Marr, president of the Sackville Basketball Boosters Association.

Marr said local businesses will benefit hugely from the influx of young basketball players, their family members and coaches. From hotels and restaurants to coffee shops and downtown retailers, there will be plenty of economic spin-offs offered from the trio of tourneys.

The Bantam boys' provincial tournament will kick off the series on the weekend of March 13-14, with seven New Brunswick teams competing for the title - including Sackville, St. Stephen, Woodstock, Harkins, Bathurst, Chatham and River Valley. The games, which will feature AA division teams, will be held at Tantramar Regional High School.

The Midget girls' provincials will be held the following weekend March 20-21, also at TRHS. The Sackville team, featuring Grade 9 and 10 players, will host five other New Brunswick AA teams including Saint John, Chatham, Carleton North, Kennebacasis Valley and Sussex.

This tourney will be followed up by the SBBA's annual mini-invitational tournament on March 27-28, bringing in 12 teams from throughout New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and PEI. The teams include players from Grades 4 to 6.

"This tournament is really a lot of fun, people really love it," said Marr. "It's a great tournament."

The mini-invitational, now in its 38th year, is the main fundraiser every year for the basketball association, said Marr, with parents, players and local businesses all getting involved to make it a success.