March 27, 2025 - Basketball Tournament at EHS
Biidaaban and area elementary schools competed in a Girls Basketball Tournament at Espanola High School on March 27.
Travelling from Sagamok to Espanola for their first game of the tournament at 9:45, the Girls Basketball Team, coached by Mr. Mark Aizenburg and Ms. Laura Poirier, arrived at Espanola High School early and ready to play ball. Basketball! Six area school teams were divided into Pool A and Pool B and games were played on half courts to accommodate all teams within the school day and consider travel time as well. Competing in Pool A was: AB Ellis (Espanola), St. Mary (Massey), and La Renaissance (REN, Espanola), and in Pool B was Sacred Heart (Espanola), Biidaaban (Sagamok), and S. Geiger (Massey).
The games were competitive between the schools, with not much differential in score, and Biidaaban’s girls team put up a great battle. Their teamwork and positive attitude on and off the court is commendable! They showed great persistence and determination, even when they fell behind by a few points, and came back strong to close the gap quickly. Coaches encouraged from the sidelines and offered constructive feedback when needed, supporting players individually and the team as a whole. Many parents, grandmas, aunties, and community members filled the bleachers overlooking the split courts - cheering and clapping the teams onwards.
Victory is not always evident on the scoreboard alone, as we all come to understand. The opportunity to learn, play, and perfect the sport of basketball, work as a team to improve the team’s success, journey to their future high school to familiarize themselves with the new environment, and meet many new girls from area schools with the same interest and love for team sports, is also a victory in and of itself!
Congratulations to the Grade 6, 7, and 8 Girls Basketball Team for representing Biidaaban and Sagamok to the best of their ability during the basketball games; for demonstrating great spirit, sportsmanship, and collaboration; and for carrying themselves maturely and ever respectfully to each other and their opponents. Chi miigwech, girls, for an enjoyable outing for your #1 fans, and to coaching staff for providing the hours of training, organization, and school collaboration involved to make events like this possible.
April 24, 2025 - Shoutout to Biidaaban Junior Girls Basketball Championship!
On April 24, the Junior Girls and Boys Basketball teams hosted their first ever Basketball Tournament at the new Biidaaban school. The new gymnasium worked wonderfully for the competition; itis such a positive addition to the school environment and fosters accessibility for students. Teams designated as Junior consist of students in Grades 4, 5,and 6, and three teams competed in the tournament: Shawanosowe, St. Mary’s, and Biidaaban.
A huge shoutout to the Junior Girls’ Basketball team, who went “undefeated in the tournament”, reported one of the team’s coaches, Mr. Aizenburg. Congratulations to all of the players on the team for their tenacity, perseverance, and demonstration of basketball skill! The Junior Boys team also played very well and fought hard to earn 3rd place in the tournament.
Chi miigwech to Miss Poirier, Mr .Aizenburg, and Mr. Lester for coaching these two teams! And miigwech/thank you to the student helpers: Anderson, Brooklyn, Emmy, Gregory, and Teirney, for being referees and score keepers! Without all of you offering your support and assistance, tournaments like this would not take place.