Led by tournament MVP Jessica Slater the Dover Bay Dolphins won the TOTEM basketball tournament with an 88-73 victory over Pacific Christian. (Image Credit: TOTEM Basketball Tournament)

By Dan Marshall

Dover Dominance

Dover Bay Dolphins senior girls win TOTEM basketball tournament

Jan 13, 2026 | 10:13 AM

PORT ALBERNI – The Dover Bay Dolphins senior girls team won the TOTEM basketball tournament on Jan. 10 with an 88-73 win over Victoria’s Pacific Christian Pacers. Dolphins head coach Shayne Pfeiffer said the experience was special in many different ways.

“It’s an honour just to be invited to the TOTEM tournament, so to win it feels pretty special. It’s always an incredible atmosphere and definitely an event that brings the Port Alberni community together. I also first learned about TOTEM from Evan Hammond, so I’ve been thinking a lot about him.”

An early tournament win over the hosts from Alberni District Secondary School was an important psychological victory according to Pfeiffer.

“Last year we lost to Alberni by 51 in the tournament opener, so to get them back on Thursday night felt like a corrective experience. It was a close game that challenged our team in a lot of ways and helped them grow as athletes, and again just such a neat atmosphere for our players to get to experience.”

Dover was led by tournament MVP Jessica Slater and tournament all-star Beth Linder.

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Pfeiffer said both were very deserving of their accolades, but the team’s success was a true group effort.

“From pushing each other to be better in practice, to bringing the energy on the bench, to leaving it all on the floor, everyone contributes in their own way, and we wouldn’t have won any games at this tournament without that.”

The Wellington Wildcats also had a strong tournament on the girls side with a third place showing.

Gray Talbot earned tournament all-star status for the Wildcats.

In the senior boys bracket, the Ballenas Whalers captured third place and Wyatt McMillan garnered an all-star nod along the way.

The Nanaimo Christian School was entered into a separate tournament.

The senior boys team won the tier two Christian School Provincial Basketball Championships in North Vancouver on the Jan. 10-11 weekend.

A major high school basketball event is coming to Dover Bay Secondary Feb. 12-14 when the Dolphins will host the AAAA Island Championships.

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