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Saints upset in final

The Intermediate Skidegate Saints were upset Saturday 79-74 by the Taquan Chiefs from Metlakatla, AK. in the championship game of the All Native Basketball Tournament.The Saints, who entered the final by going undefeated in the round robin, were the odds-on favourites but a late rally from the U.S. squad ended the Saints hopes of defending their ANBT title.The Saints built a 20-10 lead after the first quarter with Joel Richardson and Jesse Barnes teaming up for 14 points.However, the Chiefs went on an 11-0 run in the second to take a 21-20 lead.From there, it was a game of inches as each team traded baskets up until the final minutes of the fourth quarter where the three key Chiefs outlasted the Saints and pulled away with the closest-won match of all the divisional finals in their 79-74 win, toppling the defending champs.Barnes hit for 27 points and Richardson picked up 23 with Grant Moody had 12 points and Kostan Levirs sank six for the Saints.Barnes was the Tournament High Scorer while Richardson was named Most Inspirational. Tournament all-stars included Erik Hudson and Moses Nix of Metlakatla Alaska, Jesse Barnes and Brandon Gibbard of Skidegate, Colton Murrell and Shane Stewart of Gitxsan, John Sampson and Kyle Alexcee of Lax Kw'alaams, Perry Terrell and Jakob Henry of Kincolith and Damon Reece of Old Massett.