All divisions of provincial play, and particularly the final four, were disrupted by an ongoing contract dispute between the provincial government and Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF). Extracurricular activities were pulled from schools across the province during the week before HOOPLA, the championships that had been scheduled to be conducted in Moose Jaw. HOOPLA “will be cancelled due to the lack of teacher involvement [whether as coaches, officials or organizers] in the events and the constraints for schools and host sites in planning and preparing for the events,” the STF announced. The Saskatchewan High School Athletic Association subsequently announced that teams which had qualified for HOOPLA were “invited to participate” in a one-day provincial championship, with their opponent based on their seeding.
In the case of the 5A division, the Saskatoon and Regina city semi-finals were prohibited. But negotiations between the senior administration of the school divisions, and the Saskatoon and Regina sports directorates, concluded that the top two seeded teams after quarterfinal play would compete in a city final.
In the Saskatoon city playoffs: …………………………………………………… In the quarterfinals, the top-seeded Walter Murray Marauders whipped the 8th-seeded Bishop J. Mahoney Saints 90-46. The Saints (coach Tyler Sharp, assistant Donnie Davidsen) included Bennett Esteban, Brody Komarnicki, Dominic Moser, Garein Wersch, Grant Liebrecht, Jackson Andrews, Jackson Siba, Jacob Smithen, Jayce Byhette, John Ramos, Kyren Houmphanh, Liam Ermel, Liam Humphreys, Matthew Tessman, Reid Issel, Sawyer Harasymcuk and Vance Usselman. …………………………………………………… The 5th-seeded St. Joseph Guardians clipped the 4th-seeded Centennial Chargers 83-72. The Chargers (coach Brad Schoenfeld, assistant Cameron Wright, assistant Kalem Edlund, assistant Wendy Benson) included Ajar Shakeel, Brandt McLean, Brayden Reddekopp, Carter Hunt, Chase Maslin, Cole Dawson, Eli Paulsen, Gabriel O’Keefe, Harrison Pekush, Matthew Primeau, Mihajlo Stefanovic, Vladyslav Atamanchuk and Wade Livingston. …………………………………………………… The 2nd-seeded Holy Cross Crusaders whipped the 7th-seeded Marion Graham Falcons 95-42. The Falcons (coach Addison Dewar, assistant Dan Dewar, assistant Darren Mitchell, assistant Jesse Ralph) included Aiden Rosa, Avery Chubb, Ethan Springman, Jackson King, Jacob Olszynski, Jayden Zufka, Liam Ginther, Noah Dean, Quinn Haugen, Quinn Ulrich, Riel Parangi, Wolfgang Berg and Yazan Allaf. …………………………………………………… In the last quarterfinal, the 3rd-seeded Bethlehem Stars edged the Aden Bowman Bears 83-81. The Stars (coach Adam Curry, assistant Dan Kozun, assistant Emmitt Zerr, assistant Nolan Zerr) included Allec San Jose, Franc Obillo, Jedd Carbonel, Joseph Shao, Joshua Parris, Juma Jokino, Leeyan Gonzales, Louis Ablan, Maurice Aranda, Osazemhinde Oseghale, Pitia Tombe, Samuel Besong, Terenze Garcia, Ty Otsuka and Yahiy Fadl. The Bears (coach Davis Humbert, coordinator Will Redl) included Ajani Nelson, Brady Blackburn, Brady Guenther, Carson Harder, Charlie Molder, Eastan Loshack, Ethan Messina, Hudson Smith, Josh Li, Liam Crowter, Manvir Sidhu, Nate Gallant, Owen Murphy Wiebe, Seth Wheeler and Trevor Grabowski. …………………………………………………… No semi-finals were held. …………………………………………………… In the invitational city final, the top-seeded Walter Murray Marauders dispatched the 2nd-seeded Holy Cross Crusaders 110-99 to complete a boys/girls city title double. The Marauders led 29-26, 62-49 and 95-75 at the quarters. The Crusaders drew no closer than 11. “We knew that (Holy Cross) were going to bring everything they had early,” Marauders coach Scott Hawley told the Saskatoon Star Phoenix. “They always come out with intensity and effort. We knew we had to match that. I thought we did a really good job of that early. As the game went on, we just continued to do our thing.” Zach Hawley led the Marauders with 37, including 5 treys. Faisal Mahadhi added 15. Kian Tyson led the Crusaders with 35. Jack Gray added 27. The Marauders hit 18 treys. “We tried to keep it competitive for most of it,” Holy Cross coach Josh Rutten said. “Their guys were hitting shots and our guys weren’t. Something they do very well, better than anybody else in the province, is shoot the three-ball.”
In the Regina city playoffs: …………………………………………………… In the quarterfinals, the top-seeded Michael A. Riffel Royals dusted the 8th-seeded Regina Christian Grizzlies 114-49. …………………………………………………… The 5th-seeded Campbell Tartans edged the 4th-seeded Martin Monarchs 72-68 in overtime. …………………………………………………… The 7th-seeded Miller Marauders stunned the2nd-seeded Dr. Martin LeBoldus Golden Suns 84-76. …………………………………………………… In the last quarterfinal, the 3rd-seeded Archbishop M.C. O’Neill Titans whipped the 6th-seeded Sheldon Williams Spartans 106-55. …………………………………………………… No semi-finals were held. …………………………………………………… In the invitational bronze medal match, the Campbell Tartans edged the Miller Marauders 98-95. …………………………………………………… In the invitational city final, the top-seeded Michael A. Riffel Royals dispatched the 3rd-seeded Archbishop M.C. O’Neill Titans 102-86.
In the opening round of the 5A small cities playoffs: …………………………………………………… The 9th-seeded Swift Current Colts clubbed the 8th-seeded Yorkton Regional Raiders 96-72. …………………………………………………… The 7th-seeded Warman Wolverines spanked the 10th-seeded Balgonie Greenall Griffins 71-48. …………………………………………………… In the quarterfinals, the top-seeded Prince Albert Carlton Crusaders crushed the 9th-seeded Swift Current Colts 93-67. …………………………………………………… The 4th-seeded Lloydminster Barons clipped the 5th-seeded Weyburn Composite Eagles 108-93. …………………………………………………… The 3rd-seeded Prince Albert Ecole St. Mary Marauders clipped the 6th-seeded Estevan Elecs 84-76. …………………………………………………… In the last quarterfinal, the 2nd-seeded North Battleford Comprehensive Vikings dispatched the 7th-seeded Warman Wolverines 84-67. …………………………………………………… In the semi-finals, the top-seeded Prince Albert Carlton Crusaders dusted the 4th-seeded Lloydminster Barons 80-55. …………………………………………………… In the other semi, the 2nd-seeded North Battleford Comprehensive Vikings whipped the 3rd-seeded Prince Albert Ecole St. Mary Marauders 85-49. …………………………………………………… In the bronze medal match, the 4th-seeded Lloydminster Barons defeated the 3rd-seeded Prince Albert Ecole St. Mary Marauders 71-66. …………………………………………………… In the final, the 2nd-seeded North Battleford Comprehensive Vikings stunned the top-seeded Prince Albert Carlton Crusaders 92-85.
No HOOPLA quarterfinals or semi-finals were held.
In the 7th-place invitational consolation match, the 7th-seeded Prince Albert Carlton Crusaders clubbed the 8th-seeded Lloydminster Barons 90-71. Emerson McCuaig and Zane Litzenberger each scored 22 to pace the Crusaders. Jackson Hufnagel added 19, Frank Ntwari 8, Gage Prodaehl 5, Zane Litzenberger 2, Zimo Li 2, Isaac Rugabisha 2 and Colten Golding 2, while Draco Pamaran, Kyler Swatsky, Rogan Stiglitz were scoreless. The Crusaders (coach Randy Emmerson, assistant Tim Coate, assistant Nhel Arpia) also included Grady McDougall, Kharmine Bruce, Clarence Ermine, Everett Maccasib-Bourke and Reuben Veith. Tyler Gartner scored 25 to pace the Barons. Zander Norbury added 20, Danial Imran 11, Sam Rawluk 6, Kash Weinkauf 3, Adam Gergis 2, Rodney Bustos 2, Scottie Lumbard 1 and Ryder Jeffery 1, while Tristan Sandoval was scoreless. The Barons (coach Scott Lumbard, manager Rebeca Weighill, manager Travis Niekamp) also included Josh Wright.
In the 5th-place invitational consolation match, the 6th-seeded North Battleford Comprehensive Vikings nipped the 5th-seeded Regina Campbell Tartans 106-105 in overtime on a late trey by Labron Weenie-Waskahat. The Tartans led 20-12, 39-38 and 67-66 at the quarters. The score was knotted at 87 after regulation. Weenie-Waskahat scored 32, including 8 treys, to pace the Vikings (coach Ryley Waiden). Esten Glass added 28, Arvin Rabino 16, Daniel Ogum 11, Hayden Oberg 6, Isaac Neufeld 5, Mikal Bird 4 and Emery Paskemin Bear 4, while Deon Henry, Ayaan Bin Rashid, Tyler Belyk, Ivan Shevchuck and Phoenix Chint were scoreless. Ronin Patel scored 21 to pace the Tartans (coach Zenon Orabko, assistant Peter Shoobert, assistant James Vickaryous, manager Rowynn Skagos). Hayden Ginter added 17, Rogan Fry 14, Julio Ruiz de la Orden 13, Zach Markusson 13, Treysen Perra s9, Adrian Reaume 8, Gage Highmoor 6, Aidan Kreutzer 2 and Parker Benoit 2, while Airfan Shahidi and Eytan Harmel were scoreless.
In the invitational bronze medal match, the 3rd-seeded Saskatoon Holy Cross Crusaders clocked the 4th-seeded Regina Archbishop M.C. O’Neill Titans 97-63. Kian Tyson paced the Crusaders with 22. Jack Gray added 15, Sam Ogunranti 13, Moe Osman 12, Daniel Revering 9, Sam Andrew 7, Goloom Bein 6, Aloka Fernando 3, Cole French 2, Bobo Bejide 2 and Raphael Muntungolo 2. Cher Madol scored 18 to pace the Titans (coach Kellen Livingstone, assistant K.D. Livingstone, assistant Majok Madal, manager Lynsey Young). Avery Trenker added 13, Kyden Jerome 8, Ethan Short 8, Haydain Davis 6, Kylan Wol-Harden 5 and Drew Cameron 5, while Jasper Valdez, Anaias Castillo, David Ibitoye, Tayvin Kelemen, Rylin LeClaire, Isaac Dickson and Lincoln Dickson were scoreless.
In the invitational final, the top-seeded Saskatoon Walter Murray Marauders defeated the 2nd-seeded Regina Michael A. Riffel Royals 90-71. Zach Hawley paced the Marauders with 23. Dillyn Morin added 22, Isak Larsen 16, Faisal Mahadhi 15, Will Sawchyn 9 and Jeremy Proctor 6. Kaiden Thompson and David Berry each scored 20 to pace the Royals. Osagie Okundaye 10, Kyle Conteh 8, Tyleon Ocaya 8, Grady Wilson 3 and Ethan Aveyard 2.
The bronze medalist Saskatoon Holy Cross Crusaders: Adam Keller; Aloka Fernando; Bobo Bejide; Cole French; Daniel Revering; Goloom Bein; Graeme Franko; Jack Gray; Kian Tyson; Moe Osman; Raphael Mutongolo; Sam Andrew; Samuel Ogunranti; coach Josh Rutten; assistant Ben Carlson; manager David Matara; manager Rylan Fraser
The silver medalist Regina Michael A. Riffel Royals:
The champion Saskatoon Walter Murray Marauders: Zach Hawley; Afnan Amjad; Darius Moss; Dillyn Morin; Faisal Mahadhi; Isak Larsen; Jeremy Proctor; Jordan Morin; Nickolay Khivrich; William Sawchyn; Dimal Doissanayake; Mouad Etagiuri; Andrew Hawley; coach Scott Hawley; assistant Mark McDonald; assistant Matt McCullough; assistant Zachary Barnes; manager Lucas Hawley