Matt Pearce won't be there in person. But, he'll still be very much a part of an upcoming three-on-three youth basketball tournament.
The P.G. Summer Hoops Classic - which will double as a fundraiser for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of B.C. & Yukon - is set for June 4-5 at Duchess Park secondary school. After the final bucket has been scored, an award in Pearce's name will be presented to the most valuable player.
In addition, the goal of tournament organizer Nav Parmar is to have the entire event played in the spirit of Pearce, who died on Jan. 23 of a heart-related issue. He was 48 years old.
Pearce, who carved out a teaching career at Duchess Park and College Heights secondary schools, had been a huge supporter of basketball and football and was a community builder in his hometown of Prince George. He played and coached both sports and helped get last year's inaugural Summer Hoops Classic off the ground, right from its planning stages. During the games, he donated his time as a referee.
"I want (the players) to understand that they're playing for somebody who was very instrumental in not only the development of players but who believed in doing the right thing," said Parmar, an assistant coach with the UNBC men's basketball team. "My inspiration (for starting the tournament) came from guys like Matt, who were trying to help out the youth as much as possible, both in development but also in making them better people at the same time.
"And I feel like helping a cause such as the Heart and Stroke Foundation, people go through life-threatening illnesses every day, and I really want the players to understand how they can make an impact within the community. Their basketball talent is going to save lives."
At the first edition of the tournament, a team that included Colburn Pearce - Matt's son - won the junior division title. Colburn, now a Grade 10 student at Duchess Park, will participate again this year and said the tournament will have new meaning for him.
"It's a great tournament to start with, having it for the Heart and Stroke Foundation, and it's even better now that Nav has decided to honour my dad with the MVP award," he said. "It's pretty special and I hope that kids really realize the meaning of all the stuff that he put into the community - like sports and being a teacher and everything."
Colburn is a point guard on the Duchess Park Condors senior boys team, which his dad had been helping to coach. If Colburn were to win the three-on-three MVP award himself, he'd be a happy guy.
"I would put it up on my wall and just look at it all the time," he said. "It would be real special. I'd really like to win it but, either way, as long as he's being honoured appropriately, it's fine. I'm sure every kid will realize how special it is to win it."
Tyrell Laing, currently a Grade 12 point guard for the PGSS Polars, was on the team that claimed last year's senior division title at the three-on-three tournament. While winning was great, just having the chance to play in a three-on-three format for the first time in Prince George was the biggest treat.
"It was really neat having everybody from the city come out - all of Prince George's top basketball players gathered together for one tournament," said Laing, an elite talent who pumped in 45 points for the Polars in a single game at last year's quad-A provincial championship tournament.
Laing is already looking forward to this year's three-on-three gathering and sees the Pearce award as a fitting tribute.
"I think it's a really great idea," Laing said. "I think it's awesome that the MVP award is going to be in his name."
Another of this year's three-on-three participants will be Malcolm MacDonald, who was part of the junior-winning team last year. In high school ball, MacDonald now suits up for the senior Condors and he appreciated having the chance to learn the finer points of the game from Pearce.
"He was a great coach, he was a great role model," MacDonald said. "He was very level-headed as he played and he would tell you straight up when you were doing something right or wrong, and he would give it to you the best way he could."
Parmar said last year's three-on-three fest surpassed expectations in all respects. It featured 12 senior boys teams and eight junior boys squads and generated more than $7,000 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Money was collected through a tournament website that was linked to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. As well, registration fees ($60 per team) went to the cause.
This year, Parmar and fellow organizers Sunny Brar, Ryan Lidder and Kap Manhas plan to cap each division (junior and senior) at 12 teams. They would also like to add a girls division if there is enough interest. As was the case last year, there will be a three-point shooting contest on the Saturday night.
Parmar had long had a vision of a local three-on-three basketball tournament - something high school players could look forward to in their off-seasons and something that would allow them to showcase their skills in a fun environment. When uncle Surinder Mann died from heart disease in April 2014, Parmar put the plan into action.
Events like the Summer Hoops Classic don't get anywhere without community support. Parmar is thankful for all the help local individuals and businesses have provided and is particularly grateful to returning title sponsor, Family Dental Care, which donated $3,000 to help make the first edition of the Classic a reality.
Family Dental Care has several local branches. One of them is co-owned by Parmar's cousin, Nav Mann, whose father is the late Surinder Mann. For Nav Mann, getting involved in the tournament was a natural fit.
"Everything lined up for us and all of our boxes were ticked for this event," said Nav Mann, whose business partner is Jessey Minhas. "Family Dental Care is very committed to being involved in community events. It's a strong focus for us so that was hugely important that it was a locally-grown, Prince George event. The other aspect is that Jessey and I were both born and raised in Prince George and we both went through the high school basketball system and enjoyed that experience.
"Also, the cause. The Heart and Stroke Foundation is a hugely important organization for the community and society in general."
The Summer Hoops Classic will be hosted by DJ/master of ceremonies Jimi Smyth.
For registration or sponsorship information, contact Parmar at 250-301-9995 or Brar at 250-552-4928.
