The HIS boys' and girls' basketball teams went to an exciting tournament this winter in Tokyo. With a very short preparation period, we knew the opponents would be challenging. The games were especially tough for the boys, as their team captain, Garyu Ide, suffered a ligament tear in his knee and had to sit out the tournament. Despite this major loss for our HS boys' team, the boys managed to perform very well, along with the girls.

Our two teams took off early on Friday morning, January 24th, heading to the airport and arriving at the first game venue at 4:00 PM. For some players, it was their first time in Tokyo and their first game away from Sapporo. Both teams were shivering with excitement and nerves as they faced Canadian International School. Tired and tense, the HS girls and HS boys stepped onto the gym floor. After a hard-fought match of scoring and conceding points, both HIS teams emerged victorious, giving them a strong start and a boost of confidence.

Another reason we believe the teams performed well was the incredible support we received. Some parents who lived nearby traveled from central Tokyo to cheer us on, while others flew all the way from Sapporo. Daniel, a 9th grader at HIS and a former basketball team member, even gave up his Canoe Polo training in Tokyo to watch the game.

The second and third games took place on the Christian Academy in Japan (CAJ) campus, where we faced their home team as well as St. Maur’s School. Our two opponents were already playing when we arrived, and they looked even stronger than in their previous game footage. We knew we had a tough challenge ahead. But once we started playing, we realized they had exceeded even our highest expectations. Their full-court press, precise layups, and seamless teamwork overwhelmed our defense, making them unstoppable from the start.

The third game against CAJ followed a similar pattern. No matter how hard we tried, we couldn’t make a dent in their lead—our shots kept missing while theirs kept landing. Basketball is all about momentum, and with the game being on their home court, the tide was completely in their favor. Still, a game is a game, and we saw this as an opportunity to improve. We identified key areas of weakness and gained new motivation for training. Afterward, CAJ kindly offered us dinner, which everyone enjoyed. New rivalries, friendships, and bonds were formed, proving that basketball isn’t just about winning.

The fourth and final game was the most intense, with competition and team spirit at their peak. The HS boys came out aggressively, leading by nearly 15 points. But things started to shift. Near the end of the second quarter, with about a minute left on the clock, the opposing team scored a three-pointer that electrified the crowd. That shot triggered a streak of points, ending with a buzzer-beater three-pointer from their star player. Suddenly, we were just one point ahead.

The Huskies didn’t give up. The crowd was especially loud for one player—Hugo Nishi Strong—who hit three three-pointers, helping us regain control. In a back-and-forth battle of scoring and defending, the HS boys managed to hold on, winning by just two points. The girls' game followed a similar pattern—starting strong, then facing a tough challenge before securing the win in the final minutes.

This trip to Tokyo wasn’t just about basketball; it was about bonding, learning, and making memories that will stay with us forever. We faced tough challenges on the court but also made new friends off the court, making the experience truly special. For Mareto, Nanako, and Theo, this was their last game as Huskies, an emotional moment for everyone. For the rest of the team, the trip gave us new