Sacred Heart High School (SHHS) basketball teams walked away from a massive basketball tournament with consolation victories, closing their seasons on a bittersweet note.
The boys and girls teams competed in the Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association’s (SHSAA) playoffs over the weekend. The regional championship event took place across the province. Dozens of teams participated in 34 separate championships.
Teams were divided into five classifications. The SHHS boys team competed in the 4A Boys section (for schools with 121-250 male students in grades 10-12), while the girls team entered the 3A Girls division (for schools with 51-120 female students in grades 10-12).
The boys team faced the Melfort Comets on Friday, Mar. 16, at Albert E. Peacock school in Moose Jaw. The Comets ultimated triumphed, besting Sacred Heart 83-66.
“[We] couldn’t overcome the gap,” said Garrett Karcha, coach for the SHHS boys basketball team. “[It was our] hardest fought game of the year.
“[It was] nice to see them play well.”
Karcha highlighted grade 12 player Grady Hawkins for his in-game performance.
“He had a career high,” Karcha said.
With their loss, the SHHS boys team were knocked out of the tournament. They battled Humboldt in a consolation game, defeating their opponents 104-62.
Karcha said with five of his male players graduating this year, the team will be different next season.
“[We’re] looking for scoring and leadership,” he said.
The SHHS girls team took to the court on Mar. 16 as they played the Regina Christian team at their home gym. SHHS fell to Regina 66-36, which pushed them out of the tournament.
“They had a poor start and they couldn’t overcome it,” Karcha said.
The SHHS girls team also competed in and won a consolation game, defeating the Maple Creek team 64-41.
