On Summer's Edge 2024 - Tourney Recap

On Summer's Edge is a yearly tournament held in Spokane, Washington near the beginning of the summer season, a great kickoff for basketball teams looking to get their foot in the door of tougher competition in the states. Previously run through The Warehouse exclusively, expanding divisions and new developments allowed games to also be played in The Hub Spokane as well, another facility that has 5 courts available.

Although this tournament is not held in Canada, it boasts a reputation for having western Canadian teams participate in the tournament year after year. This year, it featured two clubs from Calgary, Respect Basketball and W.I.N., both entering 4 teams into various age divisions. Also representing Canada was the Junior Coyotes, affiliated with Okanagan College in B.C. Out of the Canadian teams, W.I.N. boasted the most success, winning the 7th grade girls division, and placing second in the high school girls non-elite division.

For Canadian clubs, a trip down to the USA can be a great way to showcase competition, as well as prove the capabilities of your travel teams. Spokane, being relatively close to the border and only a 8 hour drive from Calgary, is an accessible location with comparable skill levels and upgraded facilities to those commonly found in Canada. For a strong team from a larger city is Western Canada, this tournament is a great one to start the season, and a strong way to build habits used throughout a travel club's season that are often overlooked, such as healthy eating on the road, sleep management, pregame preparation, and team bonding.