Yellowknife Youth Basketball League (YYBL) players were aiming for first place during the last game of the season Sunday night at William McDonald School.

The excitement level rose to the rafters during the contest, which saw the Lakers eclipse the Thunder for top place.

The fast-paced session featured three-on-three action using half the court.

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檝e got four teams of three-on-three. Usually basketball is five-on-five but we decided to do the three-on-three this year because the numbers were a little bit low this year, which was fine,SA国际影视传媒� said league coordinator Trey Granter.

SA国际影视传媒淭he three-by-three is a totally different game SA国际影视传媒� itSA国际影视传媒檚 only half the court, not the complete court,SA国际影视传媒� he added.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 quicker because there are only six guys on the court so there is more space to play.

SA国际影视传媒淭onight is our last night, the season finale, so we are doing the playoffs right now to see who is going to be the number one team,SA国际影视传媒� he said during the fast-paced court action.

When the final seconds ticked off the clock, it was the Lakers who reigned supreme by a score of 11 to 9.

The LakersSA国际影视传媒� roster comprised Jude Skinner, Leo Debogorski, Linden Peterson, Mardi Graham and Cruz Munro.

Graham was chosen as the gameSA国际影视传媒檚 most valuable player.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 a really good time out here SA国际影视传媒� itSA国际影视传媒檚 good for the kids to learn. We usually do a practice and then play some games,SA国际影视传媒� Granter said of the regular season routine.

He added that the basketball league consists of youth from grades 7 to 10, and each team has about five players for the three-on-three.

Rami Ayache, executive director of Basketball NWT, said in an email that the SA国际影视传媒渢hree-by-three league is part of an initiative to provide more playing opportunities for youth in Yellowknife.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淭his league format provides the opportunity to create more teams,SA国际影视传媒� Ayache said.

Granter said one of the highlights of the basketball season overall was the energy of everyone in the gym as they competed.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 like, where there is 10 seconds left in the game and everyone is getting super-duper hyped up, that for me is my favorite SA国际影视传媒� watching everybody getting excited and knowing that everybody is having fun,SA国际影视传媒� Granter said.

SA国际影视传媒淏asketball is a great sport. WeSA国际影视传媒檝e got some kids in here that can go places, for sure.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒擝y Jill Westerman