It looked like the tournament would end without results to show on the court for the ECS Elecs Senior Girls basketball squad on Saturday night. However, they dug deep with a little 4 year old girl on their collective mind and came back to snatch the bronze medal.

Hosting their 8th annual Victor Elias Memorial 'Shoot For A Cure' Pink Tournament in the ECS gymnasium, the Elecs easily took their first game Friday night 85-22 over the Balgonie Griffins. Tipping off again Saturday morning, they fell to the Moose Jaw Peacocks and were thence bumped to the battle for third place against the Weyburn Eagles.

That match got off to a rough start, as they were immediately outscored 18-13 by the end of the first quarter. Struggling to sink the shots and snag the rebounds, they hung on tight enough to enter halftime with a 36-25 deficit. 

"I told them to play for Team McKenzie. I told them that they need to remember whose name they wrote on the balloon before letting it go yesterday, and they need to play for each other. I reminded them that it was the grade 12's last game of the season, but also their last home tournament too," said Coach Jessie Smoliak, reiterating the words she gave to her players in between halfs.

The girls emerged with a new spark in them, clawing their way back to within 5 points in the third quarter and taking control in the fourth to overcome their highway 39 rivals 58-51.

However, no matter the score or outcome competitively, the true victory came in the form of what was accomplished for little MacKenzie Delanie. The 4 year old has been battling a rare form of blood cancer, and was this year's chosen recipient of the proceeds from the special tournament.

"What I'm trying to do is teach my girls to pay it forward, and give back. Every year, they come away really making me proud of their accomplishments and what they're fundraising towards. I don't think they understand until they actually see the person who they're working hard and making all the donations for," said Smoliak.

Her efforts to instill such values in her players appear to be paying off.

"It (the tournament) means a lot to me, because I have two family members who have passed away from cancer, and I think everybody knows somebody that has been affected by it in their life, so it means a lot to everybody. And the fact that we can raise money for a community member means a lot," shared Morgan Fichter.

"This tournament, for me, means a lot because my mom is a cancer survivor herself. My coach has been a really big influence on me in my life, and I wanted to play hard for her and her father who passed away last year," Tatiana Dutka added. Her mother, Stacy Dutka, who is also one of the coaches and members of team staff, was honored in an emotional presentation following the game.

"Stacy is my inspiration. She is my hero, because she not only does things for the team, but things for others. She's just an incredible person and a role model, and I'm very thankful that I have her friendship, and that she's been a part of the team for the past five years," Coach Smoliak expressed.

The Elecs girls donned special pink jerseys for the tournament, from which all the proceeds will go to help MacKenzie Delanie and her family with treatment and travel costs.

READ MORE: 2018 ECS Girls 'Shoot-For-A-Cure'