Cape Breton’s Coal Bowl Classic the hottest ticket in town
The gym at Breton Education Centre in New Waterford, N.S., was empty on Sunday, but soon it will be filled with basketball players and fans.
“I joke, ‘That day, we were more popular than Taylor Swift because we were sold out in about 8 minutes.’ It was pretty awesome,” said Aimee Romard, co-chair of the Coal Bowl Classic.
The six-day basketball tournament is returning for the first time in two years. It features teams from the local area, mainland Nova Scotia, Quebec and Ontario.
Players were checking in on Sunday and anticipating an event they've heard so much about.
“We've already seen some of the culture. It's going to be exciting to learn more, and then the games will be competitive with lots of fans,” said Owen Ross, a St. Mark High School player.
The experience is unique. All teams stay in make-shift dorms inside the school.
The classrooms transformed into accommodations, giving players a chance to bond off the court.
For the hometown BEC Bears, they feel they have a chance to come out on top.
“This year our team is looking pretty good and we think we have a chance to be the third team to win, so that's the goal for the week,” said Luke MacKinnon, Breton Education Centre Bears player.
This will mark the 39th year for the Coal Bowl Classic that has been a slam dunk in New Waterford for decades.
The tournament is steeped in tradition and is known among the basketball community across the country.
“It's a basketball tournament for sure, but we have people leaving here as players, coaches, and fans talking about the experience. It's like they're professional players coming into town and they're celebrities, and we want them to experience New Waterford and Cape Breton's hospitality,” said teacher Doug MacKinnon.
It's also good for business.
“We've got 250 extra people in town, so it does make a difference for our small businesses and I do think they were affected by that, so it's good for them that we're back as well,” said Romard.
Play begins on Monday with the tournament and finishes up Saturday with the championship final.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
BREAKING Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
Vancouver's all-star goaltender won't be in net Tuesday evening, the Canucks' coach has confirmed to TSN.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.