Kicking off basketball tournament with ‘cuteness factor’ at Ross Sheppard: teacher

The Tiny Tbirds basketball players shooting hoops at the Totem Hoop Classic tournament at Ross Sheppard High School on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (Cam Wiebe/CTV News Edmonton)

The 32nd Totem Hoop Classic tournament at Ross Sheppard High School began on Friday with some tiny players shooting hoops.

The tournament features 16 teams — eight boys and eight girls teams — from Edmonton, Red Deer, Calgary, and even Saskatchewan.

“Today we have our opening ceremonies, where … we kind of make it a big show, kind of make it almost like you’re at a professional NBA game,” said Benjamin Feldman, the tournament’s director and gym teacher.

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The tournament helps bring the community together and foster interest in basketball and it features the Tiny Tbirds game, based on the school’s team, the Thunderbirds.

“A former teacher felt it was a good idea to just feature some of the young little staff members’ kids,” Feldman said.

“We have a bunch of little kids and we’re trying to get them to play as close to an organized basketball game as possible. It usually doesn’t go that way.”

His kid played in the game and Feldman said it’s always a good time for the participants.

“They love it, it’s really entertaining,” he added. “Cuteness factor is the most important part. That’s what we’re really going for, we’re looking to win the hearts of everyone with the kids.”

Some of the kids who played in previous years have grown up to play basketball at Ross Sheppard as high school students.