‘A different level of excitement:’ LIT returns for 69th edition

After two years away, the Luther Invitational Tournament (LIT) is returning to the basketball courts of Luther College High School in Regina.

The tournament brings together some of the best high school basketball teams in Western Canada for a weekend of competition. Some of the teams come from as far north as Edmonton and as far east as Winnipeg to compete.

Dr. Mark Anderson, the principal at Luther College High School, thinks this year’s tournament has a different feeling around it because this is the first time since February 2020 LIT has been played.

“It’s wonderful and you can just feel a different level of excitement,” he said Wednesday. “We’ve missed two LITs and we haven’t been able to host people here and run this since 2020. That sense of community is back on full display.”

He said not having the tournament for the last two years was difficult on everyone in their school community.

“It was really tough on the students at the time because of course they come here and hear about it and know come Grade 11 and 12 they’ll be on committees or teams,” he said. “Those were some tough lessons, but some valuable life lessons for them.”

A downscaled version of the tournament was held last year, but it just didn’t have the same feel as the traditional LIT, according to Anderson.

While the tournament was on hold, some players say they can’t wait to embrace the opportunity and play in front of big crowds.

Cooper Neumann, a Grade 12 member of the Miller Marauders, said he has been waiting since Grade 9 to play in LIT.

“It’s a great honour to get in. We’ve been wanting this for a long time and it’s so special to get in and we’re going to conquer the moment, play hard and do what we’ve been doing all year,” he explained.

“I think we’re going to have nerves at first, but once the game starts going and we get in the flow of things, it’ll be just like any other basketball game and I think we’ll be just fine.”

Neumann is excited to face new competition.

“It’s a challenge for us and it’s going to be a challenge for them, but we’re up for it and so will other teams,” Neumann said. “We just have to be ready. I have a great feeling we can win (the tournament).”

While basketball will be at the top of mind for most people, Anderson doesn’t want to take away how this event brings the school together.

He thinks students taking part in the tournament on and off the court are all gaining some valuable experience.

“The students do take ownership (of the tournament) and they learn how to organize things and become independent leaders,” he said. “The level of competition is great, but I think there are much bigger things going on here. For me, it all comes back to that sense of community.”

The tournament tips off Thursday at 12:30 p.m. with the men’s side of the draw, with Saskatoon’s Walter Murray Collegiate facing Harry Ainlay High School from Edmonton.

On the women’s side of the draw, Saskatoon Holy Cross High School will face Harry Ainlay.

The finals will be held Saturday at 6:30 p.m. (girls) and 8:30 p.m. (boys).

— With files from 980 CJME’s Britton Gray