KISH hosting Aidan K. Harrington Memorial tournament
Eight senior teams from P.E.I. taking part
The significance of competing in a very special event at Kensington Intermediate-Senior High School is not lost on two senior student-athletes.
Abby Christopher of Margate and A.J. Cahill of Kensington will be playing in their third Aidan K. Harrington Memorial basketball tournament this weekend.
“It means a lot for his community and his family,” said Christopher, who plays the wing position with the Torchettes. “They (Harrington family) are always here watching it every year, and it’s very special to remember him because he was very involved in the school.” Harrington, who passed away suddenly in November 2016, was a popular student at KISH, he starred with the Torchmen on the basketball court and is a former male athlete of the year. His sister, Hannah Harrington, has coached the KISH senior boys the last two years, and his father, Allan Harrington, coaches at the intermediate level.
“This tournament is pretty special, especially with our coach being Aidan’s sister,” said Cahill, who plays point guard. “We are playing for Hannah and her brother, and it’s always nice that their family is here watching all the time.
“It’s one of those tournaments that is easy to get fired up for.” Former Torchmen coaches Mitchell and Brianna Bernard approached the Harrington family about KISH hosting a tournament in Aidan’s memory. The inaugural event was held in January 2017. “The family was honoured to have the event take place,” noted Aidan’s mother, Valerie Harrington. “2019 marks the third annual tournament in Aidan’s memory. It is fitting that he be remembered by playing a sport he loved.”
Teams
A total of eight P.E.I. teams — four senior and four girls — will be competing in the three-day event. The opening game between Three Oaks Team Two and Three Oaks Team Three was scheduled for Three Oaks Senior High School in Summerside on Thursday night.
Friday, the girls will take to the court at KISH while the boys will play at Kinkora Regional High School. Round-robin play concludes on Saturday, with the boys moving into KISH and the girls’ action taking place in Kinkora. Both finals — featuring the top two teams after round-robin play — will be played at KISH on Saturday. The boys’ title game is 1 p.m., and the girls’ championship will be decided at 2:45 p.m. The Torchettes are the defending girls’ champions while Charlottetown Rural Team Two won the 2018 boys’ championship. The Rural boys are not taking part this year.
“Hopefully, we win it again this year,” said a smiling Christopher, who added this year’s edition of the Torchettes features a nice mix of rookies and returnees.
“We are generally a pretty fast team,” added Christopher, 17. “We have a lot of quick players.” The Torchmen posted a 1-2 record in last year’s tournament.
“We had a lot of fun,” noted Cahill. “It is kind of nice to be able to play a couple of more games and enjoy basketball while playing for a special cause.”
Cahill said one key for the Torchmen will be strong communication on the court.
“That will help us put a good offence and defence together,” continued Cahill, 17. “We are more of a zone team.” Tournament sponsors are Holland Hurricanes, Centennial Auto Group, Malpeque Bay Credit Union, Summerside Source for Sports, Subway and Mike’s Independent in Kensington.
“It means a lot for his community and his family. They are always here watching it every year and very special to remember him because he was very involved in the school.” KISH senior Abby Christopher