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 clubbed the 8th-seeded Bethlehem Stars 56-33. The Stars (coach Dominic Gursky, coach Sarah Lieffers-Pritchard, coach Stacey Ostertag, assistant Hannah Sandrino, manager Ana Aleman Artiga) included Anne Besong, Carmen Suevos, Charkouth Jagei Hon Dit, Juniana Revilla, Maria Caderma, Mary Ann Celestino, Mia Thamvongs-Adams, Mica Vega, Nicole Sindani, Pinky Mauricio, Shalom Chinheya and Tamara Lopez. …………………………………………………… The 4th-seeded St. Joseph Guardians clocked the 5th-seeded Bishop J. Mahoney Saints 92-50. The Guardians (coach Cori Linantud, coach Rachel Sherven, coach Tiegen Derksen) included Aubree Eirickson, Clara Leschyshyn, Dyllin Aaro, Ellie Hickey, Leni Mollberg, Micah Pritchard, Payton Bristow, Quinn Smith, Raeya Charlton, Shaylin Brick, Sienna Kellins, Skylar Lalonde and Viv LaBelle. The Saints (coach Keely) included A.J. Milnthorp, Angelen Alvarico, Cezanne Lapierre, Haven Sittler, Isabelle Tessman, Lauryn Scrivens, Mackenzie O’Neill, Maya Lavier, Nathalie Nagy, Rayna DeRosier and Wynter Melis. …………………………………………………… The 2nd-seeded Holy Cross Crusaders stomped the 7th-seeded Evan Hardy Souls 64-34. The Souls (coach Marissa Glanville, coach Tye Buettner, assistant Summer Masikewich) included Alenna Mose, Camron Keays, Diana Botoy, Lily Boles, Macey Keays, Mikhaela Martinez, Shayla Mose, Sloane Heath, Sonja Poth, Talia Thunderchild and Trinity Haun. …………………………………………………… In the last quarterfinal, the 3rd-seeded Centennial Chargers edged the 6th-seeded Aden Bowman Bears 52-49. The Chargers (coach Trevor Mirtle) included Aleezah Abass, Bailey Basset, Elyse Wagner, Eve Erickson, Hayden MacLeod, Joana Marie Sabino, Juane Kuhn, Julia Ambrose, Makenna Dobrowolsky, Maya Haggerty, Paige Mirtle and Rhys Newton. The Bears (coach Dave Earl, coach Logan Clewes) included Ava Kuemper, Bridgit Milne, Ella Semko, Gabriella Bratvold, Janaya Sand, Julia Smith, Kyra Shelton, L.J. Mariano, Nevaeh Ewenin, Sofi Harutyunyan, Torin Wunder-Buhr and Zelene Zehtab-Jadid. …………………………………………………… No semi-finals were held. …………………………………………………… In the final, the top-seeded Walter Murray Marauders dusted the 2nd-seeded Holy Cross Crusaders 77-50 to complete a girls/boys city title double. The Marauders led 8-0 early and 21-11, 42-19 and 56-39 at the quarters. The Crusaders rallied no closer than 14. “Words can’t describe how special it is to us,” Marauders coach Katie Farmer told the Saskatoon Star Phoenix. “We kind of had a funny start to the season with girls moving from different schools, lots of Grade 9s coming to our starting lineup and first off the bench. So I’m proud of what we built throughout the season. And I think we showed focus as we ended that game. That was what we built and all year that is kind of how we finished our best games.” Sophie Larson led the Maraudes with 24. Ryan Deutscher added 20 and Megan Jetzke 19. Taylor Randall led the Crusaders with 18. “Unfortunately, we came out very flat,” said Crusaders coach Shaun Nechvatal said. “(Walter Murray) really just came after it on the rebounds. We didn’t respond very well. I thought our girls after halftime in that third quarter rallied back as best as we could, but by that point it was too little, too late.”
In the Regina city playoffs: …………………………………………………… In the quarterfinals, the top-seeded Winston Knoll Wolverines mauled the 8th-seeded Luther Lions 80-25. …………………………………………………… The 4th-seeded Dr. Martin LeBoldus Golden Suns clubbed the 5th-seeded Miller Marauders 86-54. …………………………………………………… The 2nd-seeded Campbell Tartans crushed the 7th-seeded Balfour Redmen 81-57. …………………………………………………… In the last quarterfinal, the 3rd-seeded Michael A. Riffel Royals stomped the 6th-seeded Harvest City Reapers 73-43. …………………………………………………… No semi-finals were held. …………………………………………………… In the bronze medal match, the 4th-seeded Dr. Martin LeBoldus Golden Suns spanked the 3rd-seeded Michael A. Riffel Royals 76-54. …………………………………………………… In the final, the top-seeded Winston Knoll Wolverines whipped the 2nd-seeded Campbell Tartans 75-54.
In the opening round of the 5A small cities playoffs: …………………………………………………… The 8th-seeded Lloydminster Barons clipped the 9th-seeded Warman Wolverines 65-47. …………………………………………………… The 7th-seeded Weyburn Composite Eagles spanked the 10th-seeded Balgonie Greenall Griffins 65-46. …………………………………………………… In the quarterfinals, the top-seeded Swift Current Ardens dusted the 8th-seeded Lloydminster Barons 62-13. …………………………………………………… The 5th-seeded North Battleford Composite Vikings defeated the 5th-seeded Yorkton Regional Raiders 52-46. …………………………………………………… The 2nd-seeded Prince Albert Ecole St. Mary Marauders spanked the 7th-seeded Weyburn Composite Eagles 52-29. …………………………………………………… In the last quarterfinal, the 3rd-seeded Prince Albert Carlton Crusaders clubbed the 6th-seeded Estevan Elecs 70-39. …………………………………………………… In the semis, the top-seeded Swift Current Ardens defeated the 5th-seeded North Battleford Composite Vikings 52-44. …………………………………………………… In the other semi, the 2nd-seeded Prince Albert Ecole St. Mary Marauders clipped the Prince Albert Carlton Crusaders 62-49. …………………………………………………… In the bronze medal match, the 5th-seeded North Battleford Composite Vikings torched the 3rd-seeded Prince Albert Carlton Crusaders 44-34. …………………………………………………… In the final, the top-seeded Swift Current Ardens dispatched the 2nd-seeded Prince Albert Ecole St. Mary Marauders 54-45.
No HOOPLA quarterfinals or semi-finals were held.
In the 7th-place invitational consolation match, the 8th-seeded North Battleford Composite Vikings defeated the 7th-seeded Prince Albert Ecole St. Mary Marauders 2-0 (default) after the Marauders declined the invitation to participate. Marauders coach Dwayne Gareau told the Prince Albert Daily Herald that “we had a conversation with our team to see if they would accept the invitation or not, and overwhelmingly our team was not in favour of going to play the game, coming off of a very exciting regional final and losing a close one to Swift Current. The girls almost felt like it was anticlimactic to head down to play a one game seventh and eighth place game at that stage with no opportunity of advancement.” The Vikings (coach Bryan Cottini, assistant Josh Radchenko, manager Mike Humenny) included Tavanna Thunderblanket, Taylor Hebert, Savannah Garvik, Bea Peralta, Hannah Konopelski, Kat Radchenko, Ariyana Metlewsky, Anna Currie, Laila Weenie, Camryn Humenny, Shelby Woodrow and Jorja Geddes. The Marauders (coach Dwayne Gareau, assistant Renee Gareau, manager Sawyer Gareau) included Cate Rapin, Cassidy Schrader, Emma Carera, Sienna Nimubona, Maya Bowden, Courtney Knodel, Haley Deback, Sydney Batiuk, Taylor McCaskill, Esther Akinobi, Noelle Lambert and Natalie Mangalino.
In the 5th-place invitational consolation match, the 6th-seeded Regina Campbell Tartans defeated the 5th-seeded Saskatoon Holy Cross Crusaders 65-59. The Tartans led 16-15, 32-26 and 50-42 at the quarters. Gabrielle Kaban scored 28 to pace the Tartans (coach Bill Nagel, assistant Nicole Cooke, assistant Nick Kourles, manager Kaydance Vassler). Nika Stefanovic added 12, Katherine Bird 11, Lily Hardy 6, Emma Burgess 1, Nalia Sanchuck 2 and Emma Stefanovic 2, while Eden Eby, Esteara Birama, Jes Lawrence, Jane Woollam-Agnew and Jada Ologo were scoreless. Jada Duchene and Anika Nechvatal each scored 11 to pace the Crusaders (coach Shaun Nechvatal, assistant Janaya Brown, assistant Kyla Shand, manager Natasha Cowan). Analise Banadyga added 9, Sloane Holt Mellor 8, Kayla Gillespie Kraft 8, Taylor Randall 6 and Monica Pion 6, while Kaylee Espeseth, Melody Gaco, Taylor Sikorski, Victoria Gonzales Castillo and Sydney Sander were scoreless.
In the invitational bronze medal match, the 3rd-seeded Saskatoon Walter Murray Marauders crushed the 4th-seeded Swift Current Ardens 76-55. Ryan Deutscher paced the Marauders with 36. Megan Jetzke added 14, Sophie Larsen 12, Juliette Smith 5, Brynn Jetzke 4, Gracie Mudrik 3 and Asma Banigesh 2. Kylee Michaluk scored 14 to pace the Ardens (coach Bill Nagel, assistant Nicole cooke, assistant Nick Kourles, manager Kaydance Vassler). Dani Meyer added 13, Janelle Stolhandske-Dale 9, Sarah Neustaeter 6, Leah Sletten 5, Danica Jackson 4, Naimy Regier 2, Rayanne Fleischfresser 1 and Bree Pavely 1, while Navy Louma, Kaz Gatzke, Milana Dyck and Talyah Cuthbert were scoreless.
In the invitational final, the 2nd-seeded Regina Dr. Martin LeBoldus Catholic Golden Suns stunned the top-seeded Regina Winston Knoll Wolverines 77-69. Nicola Meban paced the Golden Suns with 36. Mackenzie Kot added 9, Hayden Kot 9, Sam Meban 8, Tatum Milligan 6, Jordyn Trudelle 4, Sasha Onion 2, Jenna Muir 2 and Precious Olabode 1. Maddie Chicoine paced the Wolverines with 27. Josie Valley added 20, Quinn Honoway 13, Ryan Zimmer 6, Denzel McDonald-Heibien 2 and Brynn Birnie 1.
The bronze medalist Saskatoon Walter Murray Marauders: Juliette Smith; Brynn Jetzke; Asma Banigesh; Gracie Mudrik; Megan Jetzke; Sophie Larsen; Ryan Deutscher; Farida Ahmed; Lily Huntington; Sophia Zhang; Sydney Diebert; Elizabeth Lyons; coach Katie Farmer; assistant Ben Njaa; assistant Kim Grant; manager Emily Anning; manager Dannee Southam
The silver medalist Regina Winston Knoll Wolverines: Maddie Chicoine; Denzel McDonald-Heibien; Jade Zimmer; Jessica Voisin; Maraya Stinson; Brynn Birnie; Ava Gunther; Ryan Zimmer;; Callie Hughes; Quinn Honoway; Josie Valley; Janelle Kemery; Emma Rainbird; Paige Morris; Brooke Birnie; coach Lance Ford; assistant Cassie Ford
The champion Regina Dr. Martin LeBoldus Catholic Golden Suns: Nicola Meban; Tatum Milligan; Kieran Milligan; Hayden Kot; Reegan Garnhum; Mackenzie Kot; Ursula Gyamfi; Jenna Muir; Jordyn Trudelle; Arrayah Singh; Precious Olabode; Sam Meban; Sasha Onion; Millie Wangert; coach Garret Kot; assistant Wayne Morrison; assistant Cara Misskey; assistant Karen Meban; manager Brooklyn Brennand