In a stunning display of skill and determination, the Magrath Zeniths boys basketball team etched their name into the history books, capturing the school's first-ever championship at the prestigious Bedford Road Invitational Tournament (BRIT). The small-town Alberta squad, hailing from a community of just 2,500 people, defeated the favoured Winnipeg Dakota Collegiate Lancers with a final score of 70-60 on January 10, 2026.
David vs. Goliath on the Hardwood
The championship game was a classic underdog story. Playing in front of a packed and raucous crowd of roughly 1,000 fans at Saskatoon's Kelly Bowers Gymnasium, the Zeniths embraced the role of the road team. The majority of the spectators were cheering for their opponents from Winnipeg, creating an intense atmosphere that only fueled the Alberta champions.
"It feels surreal to be here and actually win it, especially with a whole crowd against us... it's pretty cool," said Magrath all-star guard Seth Harding. He emphasized the tournament's prestige, calling BRIT "one of the biggest in Western Canada."
The victory underscored a recent trend of Alberta dominance at the event, making it the sixth BRIT title for an Alberta school in the past nine years.
MVP Steed Leads the Charge to Victory
The Zeniths were propelled to victory by a standout performance from tournament Most Valuable Player, Eli Steed. The 6-foot-6 forward dominated the paint, scoring a game-high 26 points and consistently outmuscling the Lancers' defense. Teammate Jackson Carrell provided crucial support, adding 16 points to the winning effort.
"It's just fun to come out and play in a good tournament against such good teams," Eli Steed remarked after the game. "The competition was strong and up there for some of the toughest we've played."
For Winnipeg Dakota, making their first appearance at BRIT, the loss was a tough end to a strong run. All-star guard Daniel Rom led his team with 22 points, including a momentum-shifting four-point play, while Brady Penner contributed 14 points.
A Resilient Journey for a Small-School Powerhouse
Overcoming larger schools is becoming a habit for the Magrath Zeniths. While Dakota Collegiate boasts an enrollment of approximately 1,500 students, Magrath Junior/Senior High School serves only about 430. This disparity made the championship win even sweeter.
Leading up to the final, the Zeniths had already proven their mettle by winning the prestigious Raymond Sugar Bowl in December, defeating three teams ranked in Alberta's top ten. Facing Dakota, the team's strategy was clear. "We felt like if we just played our game and stuck to the game plan of moving up the floor really fast, we knew we could come out on top and that's what happened," explained Seth Harding.
Head coach Chris Steed was elated with his team's historic performance. "The competition was incredible and so it's really neat to represent a town of 2,500 people in a tournament like this, to have a top performance. It's so special. This is incredible," he said.
He praised his team's resilience in the face of a back-and-forth battle. The Lancers held a narrow 36-31 lead at halftime and a 51-49 edge heading into the fourth quarter. It was in the final eight minutes that the Zeniths took control, outplaying their opponents to secure the historic victory.
"We had our ups and our downs, but we were pretty resilient tonight and we took our punches," Coach Steed added. "We were able to respond pretty well and then we got some big shots and played well."
The win marks a significant milestone for the Zeniths basketball program, which had made five previous BRIT appearances but had never advanced beyond the semi-finals. For both schools, the 56th annual BRIT final was a quest for a first-ever title, and on this night, the small-town heart of Magrath, Alberta, prevailed.
