Annual Luther Invitational Tournament welcomed back to the court
Annual Luther Invitational Tournament welcomed back to the court
It’s been a long two years since a full fledged tournament has echoed through the gyms at Regina’s Luther College High School.
But the Luther Invitational Tournament (L.I.T.) is hitting the hard court again at full capacity for its 69th annual event.
“I remember watching it in Grade 9 and have just been kind of waiting for this day to play in it and it's finally came,” Isaac Sterttner, Luther’s Grade 12 point guard told CTV.
Sterttner is not alone in missing the tournament over the past two years. While they hosted a version of it in 2022, it was not at its full capacity.
Those students who remember the historical tournament have also since moved on, and so the passing of the torch for traditions rest on the shoulders of those who remain.
Mainly, athletics director and former player and coach, Troy Casper.
Casper explained that there are certain traditions at the school the teams take part in, which is vital to the rebirth of this tournament in all aspects, especially given the impacts pandemic restrictions had on high schools in particular.
“Athletics was really, really hurt in some ways, so that build up, the energy is really created by they want it,” he said. “I think it means a lot for the community, and for our students and for our teams, and all the teams coming to have this opportunity.”
Students at Luther are beginning to understand the magnitude that is one of Western Canada’s longest-standing tournaments, and how being part of it changes their identity.
“I wouldn’t have expected myself to be here out of all places and I think I’m so lucky to have this opportunity,” said Thea Malok, a forward on the women’s team.
“I think it’s just cool that it’s such a long running tournament and I get to be a part of it,” added Anji Otukoya, another forward.
Understanding that L.I.T. is more than just about the game, students across the school are witnessing the community come together around basketball.
“It’s not only a tournament that’s just for the players, it’s for all the students and everyone that comes together as a community to watch,” said Sterttner.
Ani Idowu is a Grade 12 student and the head of media for the tournament. She explained to CTV that the older grades who missed out on the tournament over the past two years told her to get involved, and embrace the tournament for all that it can offer.
“It helps me know who I am better. It helps shape my identity and discover who I am as a person not only at Luther College High School, but as a citizen of Canada, of someone who resides in Saskatchewan,” she said.
“It’s just a long time tournament that’s been rooted in the history of Saskatchewan for so, so long you just become a part of it all,” she added, smiling.
“I didn’t realize it was such a big deal before, so today in Chapel learning all that stuff, it was a little overwhelming, but I’m so excited,” said Lira Zografi, a Grade 10 student who contributed to one of the art murals that will be displayed in the new gym during the tournament.
In addition to the athletics on the court, L.I.T. boasts a theme every year, with beautifully elaborate artwork created by Luther students under the direction of visual arts teacher, Drew Hunter.
“It’s been a bit of a battle I think post COVID, just trying to get kids to go, ‘Here’s the traditions, here’s the volunteerism that comes with the tournament, we need you to come out,’” he said. “I have incredible arts students and am blessed to have kids every year that will put the time in.”
“It feels really nice to be, not only connected to the grades that are here right now but to kind of feel a connection with everyone who’s been here before us and everyone who’s attended the tournament,” added Andie Williams, another Grade 10 student who contributed to the murals.
Normally, only Grade 12 students paint for the tournament, so both feel the honour and the importance associated with their contribution.
Murals don the walls in both gyms, with the new year theme being portrayed in the Semple (newer) gym, and contributions dating back to 2003 in the old gym.
While some may argue that having the new gym takes away from the antiquated memories of the long-standing tournament, that doesn’t seem to be the case according to staff.
“People who have been here before, they can come back into the old gym, which we’re still using, it’s kind of the cathedral of basketball, where everyone houses their memories,” said Hunter.
Casper agreed.
"All it does is, it gives you more, so there’s nothing lost.”
The tournament runs Feb. 9 to Feb. 11 with eight teams participating in both men’s and women’s basketball.
The teams span from Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the vote later today on the Conservative motion calling for a new study into foreign interference will not be a confidence vote.
Gwyneth Paltrow's trial is set to begin on Tuesday in a lawsuit filed by a retired optometrist who said that the actor-turned-lifestyle influencer violently crashed into him in 2016 while skiing in Utah at one of the most upscale ski resorts in the United States.
March 21 is World Down Syndrome Day and to mark the occasion a Canadian organization launched a campaign showcasing older people living with the condition.
A Virginia teacher who was shot and wounded by her 6-year-old student said it has changed her life and she has vivid memories and nightmares about that day.
A new report that looks at the prevalence of marketing to children inside grocery stores and restaurants suggests regulation is needed to help reduce unhealthy food temptations.
While the recent collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and the issues surrounding Credit Suisse have shaken investor confidence, a repeat of the 2008 financial crisis appears to be unlikely, one analyst says.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the vote later today on the Conservative motion calling for a new study into foreign interference will not be a confidence vote.
Students and community members will gather in protest outside the Calgary Board of Education Centre Tuesday morning, calling for the removal of the Sir John A. Macdonald name from a northwest junior high school.
A Wheatland County sanctuary that cares for abandoned and surrendered farm animals faces an uncertain future after having a permit application to keep operating denied.
A woman who lives across from the apartment where a 16-year-old shot and killed two Edmonton police constables has multiple bullet holes in her door, with a couple piercing her doorframe.
A member of the city of Ottawa's board of health is speaking out about body shaming after receiving a letter that said she shouldn't serve on the board because of her weight.
After a large fire spread from tents to a shuttered theatre on the city’s Downtown Eastside, Vancouver’s fire chief told reporters she was “incredibly frustrated” that more isn’t being done to prevent daily fires breaking out in the area.
Vancouver council will soon vote on a policy that could slow development in the Broadway Plan, one of the most significant long-term projects underway in the city.
A 31-year-old neuroscientist is believed to be among the six people missing after a massive fire in Old Montreal last week. An Wu was staying at the heritage building on Place d'Youville to attend a conference, according to friends and family.
Rescuers have yet to recover any additional bodies from the wreck of a fire in Old Montreal last week. As of Tuesday morning, there were still six people missing. The body of one victim, a woman, was extracted on Sunday.
Quebec Finance Minister Eric Girard is scheduled to table the first budget of the Coalition Avenir Québec's second mandate this afternoon. Girard broke with tradition on Monday — instead of buying new shoes ahead of the budget, he announced a $5,000 donation to a Quebec City community centre.
Doctors, patients and advocates are uniting for a reminder to older British Columbians to request a free colon cancer screening test – as we mark National Colon Cancer Awareness month.
New Brunswick's finance minister is scheduled to table a provincial budget Tuesday as the government grapples with problems in health care and housing and the effects of a population surge.
Two staff members and a student -- who is also the suspect -- have been injured in a stabbing at a high school in Bedford, N.S., according to the Halifax Regional Centre for Education (HRCE).
The president of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union (NSTU) is weighing in after two staff members and a student, who is also the suspect, were injured in a stabbing at Charles P. Allen High School in Bedford, N.S., Monday morning.
Gwyneth Paltrow's trial is set to begin on Tuesday in a lawsuit filed by a retired optometrist who said that the actor-turned-lifestyle influencer violently crashed into him in 2016 while skiing in Utah at one of the most upscale ski resorts in the United States.
Several parents are questioning the filtering process of eBooks available to students at the Waterloo Regional District School Board (WRDSB) after they say their children were able to access eBooks that are not age appropriate.
