When the single-A senior boys' basketball provincials are played March 6-10 at Trinity Western University (hosted by Unity Christian), it could look very much like this weekend's Glenlyon Norfolk Island Showdown.

The eight-team Showdown is Friday and Saturday at GNS and all of the squads are currently ranked - including No. 1 Kelowna Christian.

"We tried to build this tournament as a preview to the provincials,'' said Glenlyon Norfolk Gryphons' coach Harvey Thorau. "We sent out invitations last year and teams have been lining up to get in. This is a great opportunity for teams to take a run at each other before the provincials. It also might be a chance for some of the teams to get away from the snow and come to Vancouver Island in February.''

Kelowna Christian tips off the tournament Friday at 2 p.m. against St. John's from Vancouver. St. John's is currently tied for ninth in the rankings with Unity Christian from Rosedale.

In the second game at 3: 45 p.m., No. 4-ranked West Point Grey Academy (Vancouver) battles Pemberton, which is tied for fifth in the rankings with GNS. Langley Christian (No. 8) then plays GNS at 5: 30 p.m., followed by Unity Christian against Similikameen (No. 3) at 7: 15 p.m.

"Kelowna Christian has been putting up some big numbers," said Thorau. "They have beaten single-, double-, and triple-A teams this year.''

Guard Sean Pickersgill, who helped GNS win the B.C. double-A soccer championship last fall and was named the MVP, is one of the leaders for the Gryphons.

Other standouts for GNS are forward Brendan Connell, post Todd Darcie and power forward Evan Ruffell. Darcie, a Grade 12 student, is 6-foot-6 and averages almost six blocks per game.

The semifinals are scheduled for 11: 30 a.m. and 1: 15 p.m. on Saturday, while the final goes at 8: 15 p.m.

rrauch@timescolonist.com