It was likely a plenty bittersweet basketball weekend for Tyler Boychuk, Stephen Hutton, Nick Hotsko, Colby Melnechenko, Kostas Karachalios, Reagan McClelland and Tanner Kardynal. They played their final game as a member of the YRHS Raider senior boys basketball team, didn't win the Hoopla tournament but will bow out of high school having won their final time on the floor in their black and orange jerseys.
"They're pretty disappointed from losing," acknowledged Jason Payne, YRHS coach following the team's arrival back in Y-town following basketball championships.
"But I'm proud they were able to (compete). They gave it their best effort."
Having advanced to the Saskatchewan High School Athletics Association (SHSAA) senior boys' provincial basketball tournament following a monster win in the comfort of their own backyard two weekends ago it was time to dance with the bigger teams in the province.
They fell down once but responded against Meadow Lake, winning 63-52.
They drew the number one team in Saskatchewan in the opener. That was Central Collegiate out of Moose Jaw.
According to Payne, not a whole lot went right for the Raiders.
"We didn't shoot the ball very well."
However later in the game, were able to rebound back to within four points then the wheels fell off for good.
"Yeah, in the second, we closed it to four," he said sounding like he still couldn't figure out what all went wrong.
Central ended up with a 76-51 win.
Payne added that this wasn't their first loss to Central, who went on to lose their next game, he pointed out.
Against Meadow Lake, Yorkton would go on to end their season on a winning note.
"It's gratifying to win, end the season on a winning note.
We realized our goal. We worked hard to get here (2012 Hoopla)."
Departing players, as listed above are Boychuk, Hutton, Hotsko, Melnechenko, Karachalios, McClelland and Kardynal.
The team will be getting together in the coming weeks, with the other YRHS basketball teams to hand out awards at banquet night.
