Black Pearl basketball event spreads healthy message

More than 30 basketball teams were pitted against one another over the weekend at the inaugural Black Pearl Basketball Championships.

Over three days more than 150 matches were played at the Broome Senior High School courts, all in the name of spreading a healthy message.

The idea for the carnival came from three women who were driving back to Broome from a basketball carnival in Derby during the Boab Festival.

Organiser and Kimberley mental health co-ordinator Debra McCormick said the idea was to run a big carnival in Broome to bring together different communities and spread a message about healthy living and a healthy lifestyle.

"It was a free, no drug and no alcohol event, and there was no drinking, no violence," she said.

"If we're proactive and get people to exercise, live a healthy life, it can stop antisocial behaviour, even help reduce suicide.

"We know people in the Kimberley have a real passion for basketball."

There were 27 men's teams and nine women's teams that took part, from as far as Wyndham, the Pilbara and even Perth, playing up to 14 hours of basketball every day.

Organisers also brought in former NBL player Timmy Duggan, who founded the Hoops 4 Health Program back in 2002, which promotes healthy living through basketball.

In the women's competition it came down to No Limits from Broome, Billard, Mudnun and the NW Jets, with the Jets and Mudnun facing off in the grand final match.

Broome team NW Jets took the win with 21 points to 17, and Stacey Bedford was named most valuable player.

The men's competition was highly competitive, with Kool Katz, No Limits, Billard, Yandeyarra Buccs, Roebourne Wizards, Ngamakoon, Black Stars and Mowanjum Heatz progressing to the quarter finals.

In the semifinals, No Limits defeated Billard, while Kool Katz from outside of Bidyadanga defeated the Yandeyarra Buccs in a tense game.

Kool Katz were the eventual tournament winners, defeating No Limits, 42 points to 39.

Billy-Joe Shovellor from Kool Katz was most valuable player in the final, while Tremayne Snook was most valuable for the tournament.

Jerry Antsee was named Rising Star.

Organisers said the original intent was to keep the huge basketball event ongoing, but they would wait to see how much community support there was for it to continue.