Fleetwood Park Dragons and North Surrey Spartans aim to repeat as division champs during the 2024 Surrey Fire Fighters Goodwill Classic basketball tournament.
The all-Surrey girls tourney starts Monday, Jan. 8, with games involving 23 teams divided into two brackets (Axe and Ladder). Final-day action is scheduled Saturday, Jan. 13 at Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary’s gym in Cloverdale.
Last year, Fleetwood Park repeated as top-tier Axe Division champions with an overtime win over Holy Cross Crusaders, 44-42. Earlier that day, North Surrey topped Tamanawis for the Ladder Division crown.
The 2024 tournament schedule, team rosters, link to photos and more details are posted on surreyfirefighters.com/basketball.
Opening-day games Monday will be played at Clayton Heights, Frank Hurt, Elgin Park and Johnston Heights. The tourney’s final day at Tweedsmuir will involve a three-point contest starting at 2:30 p.m., followed by the Ladder bracket final at 3:15 and Axe championship game at 5.
The invitational tournament, presented by Westland Insurance, is played every January in Surrey’s high schools. Many firefighters volunteer their time organizing game schedules, sponsorship and providing barbecue sales, with all proceeds supporting the tournament and its bursaries for players.
“The theme of the tournament involves promoting volunteerism, diversity in the fire service, and female sport,” notes the tournament website.