Previewing the 56th Bedford Road Invitational Tournament (BRIT)

It is our favorite time of the year in Saskatchewan hoops again - BRIT. Last year's tournament was exciting, and looking back, it will be hard to top. Three teams went on to win their provincial titles - St. FX in Alberta, Holy Cross in Saskatchewan, and Kildonan East in Manitoba- and multiple players have moved on to play for very prestigious prep schools this season.

This year is shaping up to be just as special. The committee at BRIT spends a significant amount of time ensuring that they have the right schools and that the level of play meets the standards set by the first 55 years. So with that said, let's take a look at the teams.

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Bedford Road Redhawks (Saskatoon, SK)

This is a year of change for The Redhawks. Coach Scott McHenry takes the reins from Eric Fahie, and the Saskatoon legend will be looking to keep his squad out of the '8:00 a.m. special' on Saturday morning for another year. They have struggled with a 4-8 record to start this season, but have had some solid games at both tournaments they have played.

(2027) 5'10 Abu Ahmad, (2027) 6'1 Abdulah Zahid, and (2027) 6'3 Parker Bond are the leaders for the Redhawks and will be looking to win on their home court.

Dakota Lancers (Winnipeg, MB)

Making their first appearance at BRIT, this program has been a powerhouse in Winnipeg for the last several years, and it appears they will be once again. They have only played at the Brandon Sun Spartan Invitational (BSSI) and took home the championships, beating a lot of very strong teams along the way, and it appears they will be the team to beat in the province this year.

(2027) 6'5 Daniel Rom is a smooth player who will be garnering a lot of attention from coaches this season, especially after a successful run with Team Manitoba at the Canada Games. (2028) Conner Joubert and (2028) Alex Jean are key contributors that colleges will want to watch this week as well.

St Joseph Guardians (Saskatoon, SK)

Coming into the season looking to build upon last year's Hoopla semifinal appearance, The Guardians have struggled to a 2-8 record. They started with a 2-2 record at the Mike Dea Classic in Edmonton, but then injuries and other factors led them to a winless streak in league play, as well as at their home tournament.

Coach Paul Hansen will need the break to be kind to his injured players, especially (2027) 6'5 Mayo Alabi and (2027) 6'1 Kaden MacAngus. If the 2 Grade 12s can play to their potential and be joined by (2029) 6'0 Fidel Linantud, they may make a run.

Collingwood Cavaliers (West Vancouver, BC)

Preview by Harrison Paulichuk - Alberta-based Scout for The Maple Minute

Collingwood is one of two BC teams heading to the BRIT from Vancouver. One of the most exciting teams from out west to start this season, Collingwood is a 2A school that has competed at several 3A/4A tournaments already this season and has not only held their ground, but stood out. They made the finals of the No Regrets Tournaments and upset the #7-ranked 4A St. George's to get there. They like to play fast and score both from the perimeter and inside off the break. With a star-studded coaching staff, including a former UBC lead assistant, they always find a way to utilize the talent on their roster, and it is showing already this season.

The standouts on this squad are led by their lead 6’3 guard, Harry Bell (2027). He has good footwork to get to the rim and can score the ball well down the lane. Making him a dual offensive threat, he can step out and has a solid shot from the perimeter. The other two that will be ones to watch on this squad are Jake McAdam (2027) and Elliot McNeil (2027). McAdam is an undersized 6’3 athletic big that plays scrappy down low and has a variety of ways to score and punish mismatches. McNeil stood out as the counterpart guard next to Bell and lit it up at the No Regrets tournament. This will be a squad to monitor and not underestimate.

Sir Winston Churchill Bulldogs (Calgary, AB)

Preview by Harrison Paulichuk - Alberta-based Scout for The Maple Minute

The Bulldogs are coming into this year with a younger squad, aiming to rebuild and reload for the future. Once the Calgary squad got its feet under them, it ended 2025 with an impressive 4-1 start in the Prairie City Division, sitting in fourth. They have a team led by their two Team Alberta athletes, but play a well-rounded game for the most part. They like to push the pace and score in transition, getting a bucket before the defense has set up.

Their players to keep an eye on from the U15 provincial team a couple of years back will be Colten Siebold (2028) and Ashton Leung (2028). Siebold is a 6’4 lanky forward who can shoot the ball and get to his spots. He is crafty with the ball and uses his size to finish over top of defenses well. Leung is a 6’1 guard who has incredible touch. Whether he is shooting from deep with a clean release or kissing the ball of the glass, he has good composure on the court. Both players play a confident game and can take turns trading buckets. If they are rolling, this will be a tough duo to stop.

Walter Murray Maurauders (Saskatoon, SK)

The 2024 BRIT Champions will look a little different this year as (2027) 6'1 Zach Hawley is no longer with the team, but they expect the results to be the same. The #2-ranked team in Saskatchewan comes in with an 8-5 record, having faced some great competition this year, and may be the most ready team for the competition. Their losses include Holy Cross three times in league play and exhibition, Kelowna, and Vancouver College, both at the REB tourney in Edmonton.

(2027) 6' Isak Larsen has taken the reins at both ends of the floor and is averaging close to 10 assists per game. (2028) 6'1 Andrew Hawley, (2027) 6'0 Mouad Etagiuru, and (2029) 6'0 Lucas Hawley have all proven to be incredibly reliable shooters, keeping the Mauraders as the same high-tempo, shooting team we have come to know.

Magrath Zeniths (Magrath, AB)

The Zeneiths will make their second appearance at BRIT, having made their first appearance in 2025. They come in looking very good, ranked #5 in Alberta, but also coming off a Sugar Bowl tournament win where they beat #2 Scona, #4 Harry Ainley, and #10 Medicine Hat en route to the championship. With a 9-1 record, they will be looking at a run for a BRIT and provincial title.

Coach Chris Steed will look to (2027) 6'5 Eli Steed to use last year's experience to lead his group, and I am sure every college coach will be tuning in to his games. (2027) 6' Seth Harding runs the team efficiently and plays with a reckless abandon that is a coach's dream. Every player on this team knows their role and executes at a very high level, making them a team to watch.

Carlton Crusaders (Prince Albert, SK)

Making just their second appearance at BRIT, the Crusaders are looking to make a run. They entered the season as my #1 team in Saskatchewan; however, their inconsistent play has led to a 9-3 record and a drop to #10.

(2027) 6'4 Emerson MacCuaig has gone to work all season and forced teams to focus on him, and that has drawn the attention of several college programs. A lingering football injury has limited (2027) 6'2 Zane Litzenberger so far, but I expect the Christmas break will have helped him, and he returns to the form he showed this summer as Team Saskatchewan's leading scorer at the Canada Games. If they can also get consistent performances from (2027) 6'7 Clarence Ermskin and (2027) 5'10 Everitt Moccasin-Burke, they will be a tough out.

Holy Cross Crusaders (Saskatoon, SK)

They have not played many games yet to open the season, but the defending Provincial champions and BRIT finalists of the last two years do look like the team to beat in Saskatchewan this year. With an 8-0 record and the GIT tournament championship already secured, they are desperate to bring home the championship trophy that has eluded them since 2004.

(2027) 6'2 Raph Mutungolo has drawn a lot of attention from college coaches, and it is easy to see why schools want a defense-first player who makes life difficult for opponents. (2028) Lucian Tyson is a microwave that scores from anywhere and possesses an extremely high basketball IQ. (2027) 6'5 Daniel Solarin has been a revelation for the Crusaders, and (2030) 5'11 Syn Tyson and (2030) 6'6 Paul Peterson are only going to keep improving.

Carson Graham Eagles (North Vancouver, BC)

Preview by Harrison Paulichuk - Alberta-based Scout for The Maple Minute

Carson Graham is the second of two BC schools participating in the BRIT this year from Vancouver. They are in a rebuilding year this season and look to settle in the middle of the pack at 3A. This will be their first big tournament of the year, so it will be intriguing to see if they can come out and make a name for themselves.

They will be led by their point guard, Harvee Perez (2028). A combo guard who can score in bunches and is likely set to run the show for this team. He is crafty with the ball and can get to his spots with ease to find a clean release. Whoever can step up and show out at the BRIT this year for Graham will be an interesting story to follow.

Martin Monarchs (Regina, SK)

This will be Martin's 2nd appearance at BRIT, and they are looking to bring a trophy back to Regina for the first time since 2015. They are off to a solid start to their season with a 9-3 record and look to be the top team in Regina and a solid #3 ranked in Saskatchewan. They have already won their home tournament and finished 3-2 at the Brandon Sun Spartan Invitational (BSSI).

(2027) 6'1 Zach Zaiser and (2027) 6'0 Judah Frentz have provided the Monarchs with solid leadership and helped coach Rob Thomson bring along the numerous players moving up this year. Their key is the play of (2028) 5'8 Kobe Thomson, who plays with a pace and IQ well beyond his years and will be looking to make a statement on the big stage that is BRIT.

Maples Marauders (Winnipeg, MB)

Maples like Dakota have not played in many games yet this season, finishing 3rd in their home tourney and winning 2 league games before the Christmas break. Their only loss is to Churchill, who will be a top 3 team when the Manitoba rankings are released. This is the Marauders' first-ever trip to BRIT, and I can not wait to see their reaction to all that goes with it.

Coach Scott Kirkpatrick has 8 players returning from last year's squad that was ranked top 5 at the end of the season, and will be drawing players from a junior squad that brought home a provincial title. The squad is led by (2027) 6'5 Andrey Yamborko, a skilled grade 12 who will be drawing a lot of college coaches' eyes this season. Fellow grade 12s (2027) Pritpal Uppal and (2027) TJ Mabilangan will be key to them advancing far in BRIT, but it is (2029) Veer Brar that I am excited to see in person following his electric performances for Manitoba at the U15 national championships this summer.

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This year's tournament will be a great one, and I strongly encourage coaches and players to tune in and enjoy. They do an amazing job with their YouTube channel and livestreaming every game. I will be in attendance at the entire tournament and available for colleges looking for more info on players.

Now, for what do I think will happen:

• Dakota will take home the crown in their 1st ever BRIT appearance, marking the first time since 1989 a Manitoba squad has won.

• Magrath will emerge from their half of the draw but come up just short

• The game of the tournament could happen on Friday between Holy Cross and Maples, with the Dakota - Collingwood game also being a great game.