The Yorkton Regional High School (YRHS) boys basketball team launched themselves into the provincial championships after a successful run in the regional tournament over the weekend.
The boys team competed in the Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association’s (SHSAA) regional basketball tournament from Mar. 16-17. They felled three opponents on their way to victory.
“[It’s] kind of a big deal for us,” said team coach Jason Payne.
The boys competed in the 5A division, a section reserved for schools with more than 250 male students in grades 10-12.
The YRHS team easily bested the Balgonie Greenhall group in the opening match-up on Mar. 16 in Warman, scoring a comfortable 90-51 win.
“We did a good job of controlling the [first game] from the first tipoff to the final whistle,” Payne said.
The boys faced more resistance on Mar. 17 as they squared off against the Swift Current team. YRHS eked out a 74-64 victory.
Later in the day, YRHS met their heated rivals, North Battleford, in a nail-biter. The teams traded points, but YRHS ultimately came out on top with a narrow 88-83 win to secure the tournament.
“We came out slow [in the third game],” Payne said. “Slowly got our way back into it.
“We wore them down.”
Capturing tournament glory by besting their rivals made victory even sweeter for the team.
“Winning that North Battleford game meant a lot,” Payne said. “Good way to end the season.”
With their regional tournament win, the boys team has qualified for the 2018 HOOPLA Provincial Basketball Tournament. They will face the best competition in Saskatchewan during the tournament from Mar. 22-24 in Prince Albert.
“We’re not intimidated,” Payne said. “We feel that we match up well.”
“It’s our second year in a row of going to HOOPLA,” Payne added. “[We] hope it’s a regular thing.”
The YRHS girls basketball team also competed in the SHSAA regional tournament over the weekend. They entered the 5A division.
“We went into the tournament as the underdog,” said team coach Jessica Kyle.
The girls faced the Prince Albert St. Mary’s team on Mar. 16 in Weyburn. The team put forth a strong effort, but ultimately fell to St. Mary’s 63-45.
“[It was a] full team effort,” Kyle said. “The girls played their hearts out.
“Couldn’t be more proud as a coach.”
The YRHS girls team played two consolation games, defeating Swift Current 57-48 and losing to Weyburn 66-62.
“All the girls played awesome,” Kyle said.
