HOOPLA IN REGINA THIS WEEKEND
The ‘Road to Hoopla’ has led 48 teams, representing all 14 of our Athletic Districts, to Regina this weekend. This is a weekend looked forward to by the teams and their schools, as well as the many school sport enthusiasts from across Saskatchewan.
A total of 54 games will occur over the three days leading to 10 different provincial champions. We look forward to the championship – a celebration of the season-long effort by coaches and players, the thrill of the competition, the excitement of the crowds, and the displays of good sportsmanship all of which are significant parts of the HOOPLA experience.
1A BOYS
#1 Middle Lake vs. #4 Lake Lenore
Middle Lake has wins this season over the other three teams but the match up against their next
door neighbour should be interesting especially with both schools having advanced in the 1A
Girls competition as well.
#2 Rocanville vs. #6 Buffalo Narrows
One of these two teams will earn the first ever victory at HOOPLA for their school. Both schools
are making their first trip to the championship. Rocanville head coach, Todd Volk, has led teams
from Moosomin to HOOPLA in the past. The team from Buffalo Narrows (Twin Lakes School)
under the leadership of coach David Wells upset the defending champions from Davidson in
overtime to earn their berth in the championship.
2A BOYS
#1 Saskatoon Ecole Canadienne vs. #4 St. Brieux
This is a rematch of the past two gold medal games in the 2A classification. St. Brieux won in
2015 and Ecole won last year in Moose Jaw.
#2 Maidstone vs. #3 Osler VCA
Osler VCA won a bronze medal last year and has been to HOOPLA for 8 straight year. Maidstone
is making the school’s first appearance in the March showcase. Maidstone defeated VCA in an
earlier meeting this year but VCA seems to be hitting their stride as the playoffs have
progressed.
3A BOYS
#1 Regina Christian vs. #4 Birch Hills
The two teams met the first weekend of March during the ROCK tournament in Regina where
Regina Christian came away with the victory. Birch Hills, last year’s silver medallists, struggled
with their shooting in early March but based on the numbers that they have put up the past
couple of weekends it looks like they are righting the ship and should give the Grizzlies a run for
the money.
#2 Saskatoon Legacy vs. #3 Clavet
Legacy leads the season series 3 games to 1 but each game has been closely contested. Both
schools have had much success at HOOPLA in the past. Legacy are the defending champions in
the 3A Boys category.
4A BOYS
#1 Weyburn vs. #12 Saskatoon Bedford Road
This is a rematch of last year’s semi final that Weyburn won on their way to a silver medal.
Bedford Road was an unknown going into last weekend where they upset the #4 and #5 seeds
earning their spot in the championship. Jacquie Williams has had the Weyburn Eagles at
HOOPLA each of the past 3 years.
#2 Moose Jaw Peacock vs. #3 Moose Jaw Central
Peacock won the regular season series between the teams but Central won the Moose Jaw city
championship. This should be one of the premiere games of Friday.
5A BOYS
Saskatoon St. Joseph vs. Regina Riffel
Yorkton Regional vs. Regina Campbell
Regina LeBoldus vs. Saskatoon Centennial
North Battleford Comprehensive vs. Saskatoon Bishop Mahoney
LeBoldus is back to defend their championship from last year. The Golden Suns have won the
past four titles. Regina Riffel is the last team to win the championship before the Suns went on
their run. After a middle of the pack regular season finish, Saskatoon St. Joes peaked at the
right time in order to win the Saskatoon city championship. This classification should build into
some great match ups on Saturday to determine the final provincial placings.
1A GIRLS
#1 Kenaston vs. #4 Lake Lenore
Kenaston is making it a habit to be competing the weekend of HOOPLA. This is the Kodiaks 6
th straight year at HOOPLA. Lake Lenore has lost close games in regional finals each of the last
two years but got over the hump with a convincing win over Southey to qualify for this year’s
tournament.
#2 Asquith vs. #3 Middle Lake
This is a rematch from HOOPLA 2016 semi finals. The Middle Lake Avengers won that game and
then went on to capture their third consecutive HOOPLA championship with a win over Fillmore.
Asquith has finished fourth the past two years but they are another year older and another year
more skilled. Asquith won the only meeting of the year between the two schools. Should be
one of the best girls’ games of Friday.
2A GIRLS
#1 Wynyard vs. #4 Foam Lake
Highway 16 rivals meet for the second time in the 2017 playoffs as Wynyard defeated Foam
Lake in a conference final earlier in the month. The Wynyard Bears have not only been the
dominant team in the 2A classification they have been competitive against the top teams from
all classifications of girls basketball. The Bears have won three of the last four championships
and the year that they didn’t (2014) it was a silver medal after a loss to Foam Lake in the final.
#2 Kinistino vs. #3 Shaunavon
Kinistino won a bronze medal last year. The Blues beat the Silhouettes in an earlier match up in
the year so they should be favoured to move into the gold medal game this year. Shaunavon
makes a return to HOOPLA under coach Tim Miller. Miller has had HOOPLA success in the past
coaching both boys and girls teams from Shaunavon.
3A GIRLS
#1 Lumsden vs. #4 Saskatoon Christian
Saskatoon Christian has had much success in the Saskatoon Championship league this year
while Lumsden has been dominating their opposition most of the season in a schedule that
competes with many of the top programs in the province.
#2 Regina Christian vs. #3 Indian Head
A rematch from the conference final two weeks ago that Regina Christian won 69-45. This is the
6th straight appearance at HOOPLA for coach Dave Clark and Indian Head Broncs.
4A GIRLS
#1 Melfort vs. #4 Weyburn
Melfort has been the consensus #1 all year long in the classification with only one loss in their
classification. Weyburn returns to HOOPLA after a silver medal performance last year.
#2 North Battleford vs. #3 Moose Jaw Peacock
Both teams were at HOOPLA last year. The Toilers are the 3 time defending champions but they
are the underdog in what should be a great game. North Battleford is the only 4A team to beat
Melfort this year having split the season series. The Toilers and the Vikings has met two other
times this year with North Battleford coming out on top both times.
5A GIRLS
Saskatoon Holy Cross vs. Regina Miller
Estevan vs. Regina Riffel
Regina Campbell vs. Saskatoon Tommy Douglas
Prince Albert Carlton vs. Saskatoon Centennial
Holy Cross has been in the championship game for 7 straight years but word has it that this is
the best team that Coach Hundseth has brought to the championship tournament. Saskatoon
Tommy Douglas has had some success this year against Campbell but will being at home be the
difference for the Tartans. PA Carlton has been dominant outside of Regina and Saskatoon.
They will be a good test for any team that they match up against this weekend. Coach Jessie
Smoliak from Estevan was part of the Fillmore dynasty in the early 2000’s so she has plenty of
HOOPLA experience to draw on. Her team had a come from behind victory over Notre Dame in
the regional semi-final in order to advance.
