The Pacific Unity U18 Summer Series delivered a thrilling week of basketball with teams representing the Haida Nation, Māori, Nuxalk and Kingdom of Hawai’i.
From intense round-robin games to dramatic playoff showdowns, the tournament highlighted the talent and competitive spirit of youth basketball teams across the Pacific.
In the round-robin stage, the Kingdom of Hawai’i quickly established themselves as the team to beat, cruising to multiple victories with exceptional teamwork and offensive firepower. The Māori showed their resilience, securing key wins, while The Haida Nation and Nuxalk battled fiercely.
Māori opened the tournament with a commanding 28-point win over Haida Nation.
Hawai’i flexed their offensive muscles, posting the highest score of the round robin in a crushing 113-45 rout of the Nuxalk.
In a thrilling, close-fought contest, Haida Nation eked out a narrow 75-70 victory over Nuxalk. Hawai’i edged Māori 84-77 in one of the tournament’s most competitive games.
Māori bounced back with an impressive offense, putting up 110 points and only allowing Nuxalk 52.
Hawai’i ended the round robin with another blowout win, this time over Haida Nation 121-62.
After the round robin, Hawai’i was the top seed followed by Māori, Haida Nation and Nuxalk. The semi-finals saw the Hawai’i and Māori teams continue their strong performances. Māori secured their spot in the championship with a decisive 91-61 victory over Haida Nation, and Hawai’i breezed into the finals with a blowout over Nuxalk.
The third-place final provided one of the most exciting finishes of the tournament, as Nuxalk held on for a last-second 67-66 win over Haida Nation.
The championship game was a highly anticipated clash between the Kingdom of Hawai’i and the Māori U18 National Team. Both teams played intensely, but Hawai’i’s consistent play and strong defence proved too much for the Māori to overcome in a 67-61 victory.
With this win, Hawai’i claimed the 2024 Pacific Unity U18 Summer Series title, completing an undefeated run.
Several standout players earned accolades for their performances. Tournament MVP went to CJ Bostic of Hawai’i.
The All-Tournament Team was filled out by Trey Anbrozich of Hawai’i, Cooper Te Ratana of Māori, Andre Cronin-Nwafor of Māori, Levi Burton of Haida Nation and Jacob Vaa of Nuxalk.
