It's likely the only tournament on the competitive calendar where the scores don't really matter, and no champion will be crowned.

Eighteen basketball teams from across B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan will convene on a trio of Port Coquitlam-based schools for the eighth annual A Tournament For Emily.

The tournament serves as a tribute to the memory of Emily Inglis, who died of leukemia in 2002 at the age of 12, while also raising money for BC Children's Hospital.

Spread across Riverside, Terry Fox and Archbishop Carney secondary schools, the tournament tips off on Thursday, Dec. 20.

"It's about helping the kids raise money for other kids who are in BC Children's Hospital," said Riverside coach Paul Langford. "It also is around the festive season, so it's a little bit of competition combined with a little bit of celebrating the season. We're trying to raise awareness and create other fundraisers in the future."

Silent auctions will be held as part of the three-day proceedings, with more than $5,000 in artwork up for grabs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC jerseys are also being offered, as is a CD and T-shirt autographed by Carly Rae Jepsen, who graduated from one of the participating schools - Mission's Heritage Park Secondary.

Seven of the top-10 AAA teams will be in attendance, joined by Albertan squads from Aden Bowman and Harry Ainlay. No. 2 Brookswood, No. 4 Maple Ridge and No. 5 Handsworth lead a contingent that also includes locally-ranked Riverside (No. 6), No. 10 Terry Fox, No. 13 Gleneagle, honourable mention Centennial, and AA No. 10 Archbishop Carney.

The format of the tourney sees each participating team lined up against four other clubs of a similar ilk.

To that end, the Rapids open the proceedings on Thursday at 3: 30 p.m. against Aden Bowman.

From there, Riverside will also line up against Kelowna, Claremont and Harry Ainlay.