Ferry cancellations blew the Gary Taylor Classic basketball tournament off course this morning.
The tournament was scheduled to start Dec. 20 at 2:15 p.m, with the opening games in both the senior and junior competitions scheduling local teams against mainland opponents. Shortly after 8 a.m. a student representative said initial games were cancelled due to the ferry cancellations.
Read More: BC Ferries cancels multiple sailings Thursday morning
A school representative said there are multiple backup plans depending on when the ferries get through.
If teams are able to make it over on 3 p.m. or 5 p.m. boats, then the opening games will be start later this evening. The junior games would start at 7:30 p.m., and the seniors would follow at 9 p.m.. In this scenario the quarter final games play as scheduled Dec. 21, in the afternoon – starting at 2:15 for the fifth place brackets, and 5:45 for championship brackets.
If teams are unable to make it until later tonight, then the tournament would start with the first round games Friday at 1 p.m, with the last quarter finals pushed until 9 p.m. that evening
The tournament is hosted by Oak Bay High School annually. Although overseen by school coaches, the tournament is heavily supported by leadership students.
This year both age levels will play in an eight-team knockout format, with each team guaranteed three games. The senior bracket features four Mainland teams, while the junior has three. Oak Bay won the senior tournament last year.
jesse.laufer@oakbaynews.com
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