They run a little slower. They get tired faster. 

The post-game Axe Body Spray, Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue, or Tommy Girl has been replaced by Voltaren, Rub91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ¢A535, or Pain Be Gone.

But the constants year after year are the laughs. The smiles. The good times. The memories.

The 2024 Greater Vernon Alumni Basketball (GVAB) Tournament was held Dec. 26-27 at Vernon Secondary's Panther Pit gymnasium.

The annual Christmas holiday event brings together alumni from Vernon and North Okanagan-Shuswap school districts to raise funds for local scholarships, and provide financial assistance to students facing monetary barriers to participating in high-school sports programs.

The 2024 event expects to add a further $6,000, bringing the organization's total raised to more than $50,000 since the tournament's inaugural year in 2015.

"Our success wouldn't be possible without the unwavering support of this amazing community," said GVAB founder, former Vernon Panther Jeff Samuel.

"The sponsors who step up, the volunteers who give their time, and the players who turn back the clock to their glory days during the holidays all prove that teamwork extends far beyond the hardwood."

This year's tournament featured 10 men's teams in two divisions (competitive and recreational), four teams in the women's division, and a three-point shooting contest.

Fulton's Rusty Maroons won the men's competitive trophy, edging the VSS Pansters 62-61 in an exciting finale. The Pansters had a chance to win the game with a buzzer beater shot that narrowly missed.

Seaton's Swashbucklers defeated the VSS Old Panthers for third place.

The Fulton Senior Boys took the recreational division title, downing the GVAB Singles team in the final.

The women's championship trophy was claimed by the GVAB Singles Team (All The Single Ladies), which went undefeated in the round-robin tourney. The Singles knocked off teams from VSS, Seaton, and Kalamalka.

"GVAB will continue to focus on building women's basketball in Vernon," said Samuel. "We encourage any women to reach out if they'd like to participate in future years."

It was a non-alumni that stole the show in the three-point shooting contest.

Grade 11 VSS underdog Chloe Collins 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ who plays for the current Vernon Panthers' senior girls team 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ took on two-time champion Fraser Christensen, a Seaton Sonics alum.

"There were more than a dozen shooters vying for the three-point title this year," said Samuel. "Chloe was unfazed by Fraser's past experience, and took home the GVAB Sharpshooter title."

GVAB organizers are always looking for opportunities to further grow the tournament. Anyone that would like to get involved is encouraged to reach out by email to vernonalumnibasketball@gmail.com.