In the C Bracket championship at Gold Medal on Saturday, Hydaburg was playing for its third title in six years.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
It was also playing for a man in a wheelchair sitting courtside.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
Freddy Hamilton, one of the last remaining elders from the village, sat directly across the court from the Hydaburg bench as the team played against Klukwan. Hydaburg fended off numerous late runs from Klukwan — the three-time defending champion<\/a> — and claimed victory by a score of 93-81.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t Tournament MVP and Hydaburg player T.J. Young said they were very aware of Hamilton’s presence.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t “It was a real honor playing in front of him,” Young said. “I’m glad we got a win. He’d probably tell us not to come home if we lost.” <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t