Basketball a family affair for Saskatoon coach
Eric Anderson | CBC News | Posted: January 9, 2015 5:35 PM | Last Updated: January 9, 2015
Dan Dewar leads Marion Graham to BRIT for the first time in school history
It promises to be an exciting and meaningful weekend for Dan Dewar and his high school basketball team.
Dewar is the head coach of the Saskatoon's Marion Graham Falcons. For the first time in the school's 30 year history, the boys senior basketball team is participating in the prestigious Bedford Road Invitational Tournament.
"It's really exciting and definitely not par for the course to be going to BRIT," Dewar explained to The Afternoon Edition's Dani Mario just hours before the team's first game on Thursday.
I am always thinking of him and this is a special time to do so. - Dan Dewar remembering his late brother, John Dewar Jr.
The basketball program has developed quickly in the past few years at Marion Graham. The school is known for its arts and music programs, but Dewar is helping put basketball on the school map.
"I always thought I would become a talented coach when I would have talented players," Dewar said. "The skill development and time that's needed in basketball is a lot of hours, and it's one of the things my players do on a regular basis."
More than just a game
BRIT is more than just another basketball tournament for Dewar. His son, Conlin, is playing for Walter Murray High School this weekend. Dewar also coaches two of his nephews on the Falcons, Alexander and Addison. Their father, John Dewar Jr., died of cancer two years ago.
"My brother was my best friend," Dewar explains. "Even the shirt I am going to wear in our first game is the shirt I wore at his memorial service. I'm always thinking of him and this is a special time to do so."
Dewar also knows his brother left quite a basketball legacy through Alexander and Addison.
"Genetics were passed down but not only genetics, it was a nature-nurture type of thing with my nephews. Their passion really does lead by example for the rest of the team," he said.
So far, that passion is breeding success for the Falcons. The team won its first game, 75-60 over Scots College from Sydney, Australia. Marion Graham could end up playing Walter Murray later on in the tournament, pitting the Dewar cousins on the court against each-other.
Coach Dewar laughs at the thought of it happening.
"It's always fun for the cousins to battle with one-another."
BRIT continues Friday at Bedford Road in Saskatoon. The championship game is Saturday night at 9 p.m. CST.