In the opening round: …………………………………………………… The Saskatoon Christian Centre Academy Cougars clocked the Langenburg Eagles 65-34 after leading 28-5, 39-19 and 53-23 at the quarters. …………………………………………………… The Sandy Bay Hector Thiboutot Timberwolves nipped the Duck Lake Stobart Rebels 46-42. …………………………………………………… The Outlook Lutheran Collegiate Bible Institute Bisons stomped the Kelvington Golden Hawks 86-50. The Bisons exploded to a 22-0 lead before the Golden Hawks closed out the quarter with five points. Kelvington rallied to within 36-23 at the half on free throw shooting but OCBI put the game away in the third quarters after which they led 68-28. Matt Njaa led the Bisons with 15. Mark Gjesdal added 15 and Kyle Clarke 12. Jordan Bocking paced the Golden Hawks with 15. Hayden Marquette added 13 and Levi Rusnell 10. …………………………………………………… The Asquith Athletics stomped the Maidstone Huskies 96-41. Asquith led 25-8 after one quarter as they used their superior speed to great effect. Although the Athletics soon found themselves in foul trouble, they extended the lead to 44-16 at the half and 65-20 after three quarters. Johnny Berg paced the Athletics with 37. Kyle McMahon added 13, Nathan Ablass 10 and Jared Ablass 10. George Nyame paced the Huskies with 10. Greg Mercer added 8. …………………………………………………… The Regina Christian Grizzlies whipped the Redvers Rams 103-47 after leading 30-11 after one quarter and 50-24 at the half despite a rally led by Ram Raymond. Josh Tippe paced the Grizzlies with 10 in the first half. Daniel Nieblas paced Regina Christian with 18. Raymond led the Rams with 18. …………………………………………………… The Sintaluta Nakoda Oyade Education Centre Eagles stomped the Kamsack Spartans 66-51 as Delvin Cappo scored 27. Brinkley led the Spartans with 17. Fedorak added 13. …………………………………………………… The Osler Valley Christian Academy Lions clipped the Shellbrook (W.P. Sandin Aardvarks) 68-40 after leading 23-11, 37-26 and 49-31 at the quarters. Lyndon Weber led the Lions with 17. J Delisle led Shellbrook with 10. …………………………………………………… The Turtleford Thunderchild Titans defeated the Regina Western Christian Mustangs 69-59 after leading 23-11, 33-25 and 61-37 at the quarters. C Paddy led the Titans with 30. I Uwimsama paced the Mustangs with 16.
In the quarterfinals, the Saskatoon Christian Centre Academy Cougars whipped the Sandy Bay Hector Thiboutot Timberwolves 80-50 after leading 28-10, 46-20 and 66-29 at the quarters.
The Asquith Athletics edged the Outlook LCBI Bisons 69-65. LCBI led 14-12 after one quarter but Johnathan Berg gunned the Athletics back to a 31-27 lead at the half and 49-38 lead after three quarters. OCBI trimmed the lead to two but Berg hit 14 of Asquith’s last 20 points as the Athletics pulled out the win. Berg led Asquith with 39. Jared Ablass added 21 and Nathan Ablass 7. Adam Strand paced LCBI with 20. Matt Njaa added 18 and Mark Gjesdal 13.
The Regina Christian Grizzlies clipped the Sintaluta Nakoda Oyade Education Centre Eagles 101-63. The Grizzlies pounded the ball inside to Daniel Nieblas and Taylor Brown as they build a 30-16 lead after one quarter. Although Devlin Cappo kept coach Derek Mercer’s Eagles vaguely within reach, the Grizzlies defence and superior size, along with the perimeter shooting of Jon Lichtman and Brandon Norton, proved too much.
In the last quarterfinal, the Osler Valley Christian Academy Lions whipped the Turtleford Thunderchild Titans 85-52 after leading 24-20, 45-33 and 67-40 at the quarters. Lyndon Weber led the Lions with 18. Derek Sawatzky added 18. C Paddy paced Thunderchild with 17. E Okanee added 15.
In the semis, the Saskatoon Christian Centre Academy Cougars stomped the Asquith Athletics 88-40 as Nick Donauer scored 15. Nathan Ablass led the Athletics with 12.
In the other semi, the Regina Christian Grizzlies whipped the Osler Valley Christian Academy Lions 98-71 as Jon Lichtman scored 27. Derek Sawatzky led the Lions with 13.
In the bronze medal match, the Osler Valley Christian Academy Lions defeated the Asquith Athletics 52-47 after leading 19-10, 30-24 and 41-33 at the quarters. Lyndon Weber paced the Lions with 20. Derek Sawatsky added 12. Nathan Ablass led Asquith with 21. Jared Ablass added 18.
In the final, the Saskatoon Christian Centre Academy Cougars clobbered the Regina Christian Grizzlies 91-52 as Jon Beaudry and Reid Thuringer each scored 15. Jon Lichtman led the Grizzlies with 23. It was the fourth consecutive title for the Eagles. “There’s some strong history here, all the way back to 1995,” says sixth-year coach Aaron Benneweis. It’s been here for a while and I got the benefit of coming on a machine that was already running pretty good.” Unlike previous championship units, the Eagles roster featured nine players six feet or taller and the Eagles had to shift their identity. “Compared to other years, we have some height this year,” says starting point guard Kyle Donauer. “And we’re able to get it down the floor and fastbreak. I’d say it puts more pressure on me. Last year, there were more guards, so I knew if I wasn’t able to do it there was someone else. This year, there’s more posts and they’re all relying on the guards.” The players adapted well. “I think it’s just made us stronger in rebounding and brought our game to a new level,” says forward Cody Weiler. Lichtman said “we had a great year. We have a great group of guys. We all look out for each other. We hang out outside of school. Most of us are best friends. I just came to the school two years ago and I was instantly accepted. I wouldn’t want to play for any other team -gold or silver medal.” Lichtman also lauded the gold medalists. “They were unbelievable. I’ve never played a team that good -ever -and we’ve played against 4A schools. Their teamwork, their defence – everything about them made them the toughest opponent I’ve ever played.” Kyle Donauer said winning for the fourth time “feels cool. This year is special because it’s my Grade 12 year. This year is probably the best one, I would say.”
The bronze medalist Osler Valley Christian Academy Lions: Lyndon Weber; Derek Sawatzky; Brandon Braun; Delten Ens; Tyler Janzen; Daniel Klassen; Ethan Hamm; coach Brad Wall; coach Richard Weber
The silver medalist Regina Christian Grizzlies: Daniel Nieblas; Taylor Brown; Jon Lichtman; Brandon Norton; coach Geoff Glasspell
The champion Saskatoon Christian Centre Academy Lions: Nick Donauer; Jon Beaudry; Reid Thuringer; Brendan Mayer; Kyle Donauer; Dave Reynolds; Anthony Piska; Nathaniel Donauer; Cody Weiler; Dan Rugg; Cole Adams; Conner Weiler; Spencer Krips; Zechariah Merta; Erich Hepfner; coach Aaron Benneweis