The field for this year’s Hoopla tournament will be set in stone after a number of regional competitions this weekend.
A trio of 4A girls’ teams will be coming to North Battleford Comprehensive High School where a provincial berth will be up for grabs.
The host Vikings have a bye to the quarter-finals at noon Saturday, where they will face either the Central Cyclones of Moose Jaw or the Humboldt Mohawks.
Those two teams will be squaring off at 6 p.m. Friday.
The Vikings are looking to improve upon a fourth-place finish at last year’s Hoopla tournament, where they lost in the bronze medal game to the Vanier Spirits of Moose Jaw.
The Mohawks also had a fourth-place result a year ago in Moose Jaw, when they competed in the 3A division.
Meanwhile, the Vikings senior boys’ team will be gunning for one of two 5A provincial spots that will be up for grabs in a seven-team tournament at Prince Albert Carlton.
Having already earned a bye into the semifinal Saturday morning, they will take on the winner of a game between the Swift Current Colts and the Estevan Elecs.
The Vikings reached the Hoopla tournament last year, but lost in the quarter-finals to the Saskatoon Marion Graham Falcons.
The John Paul II Collegiate Crusaders of North Battleford will have both of their programs competing in 4A tournaments.
The girls’ team will be going up against the Marion Graham Falcons of Saskatoon Friday in Melfort, with the winner taking on the host Comets Saturday.
Meanwhile, the boys’ squad will be travelling to Moose Jaw as they look to improve on their bronze medal finish at last year’s provincials, when they defeated the Bedford Road Redhawks of Saskatoon.
They’ll go up against the Sacred Heart Saints of Yorkton Friday, with the winner taking on either the Peacock Toilers of Moose Jaw or the Churchill Chargers of La Ronge in the quarter-final Saturday.
The Unity Warriors and the Lashburn Lobos will both be competing in 3A boys’ tournaments.
The Warriors will travel to Regina to take on the host Regina Christian School Grizzlies Friday, with the winner facing either the Hector Thiboutot Timberwolves of Sandy Bay or the Oxbow Prairie Horizons Black Knights Saturday.
The Lobos have a tough task on their hands in their first round game Friday, as they’ll go up against the regional tournament host and defending 3A champion Saskatoon Legacy Christian Eagles.
If they can pull off the upset, they will play again Saturday against the winner of another first round contest between the McNaughton Marquis of Moosomin and the Assiniboia Rockets.
Meanwhile, the Warriors senior girls’ team will also be competing in a 3A tournament, as they’ll take on the host Indian Head Broncs Friday.
A win over last year’s 3A bronze medalists will earn them a quarter-final contest Saturday against either the Maple Creek Rebels or the Kamsack Spartans.
The Maidstone Huskies will have both of their basketball programs competing in 2A regional tournaments this weekend.
The senior boys’ team will be the home team for their tournament, which will see them take on the Canora Cougars at 6 p.m. Friday.
A win in that game will clinch a spot in the quarter-final Saturday at noon, where they would face either the Meath Park Mustangs or Rosthern Junior College.
The Huskies senior girls will be paying a visit to Shaunavon and will have to face the host Silhouettes in the first round Friday.
The Lashburn Lobos will also be in that tournament. They will be in action Friday against the Meath Park Mustangs, who finished in fourth place at last year’s Hoopla.
Over in the 2A boys division, the McLurg Broncs of Wilkie will be competing at a tournament in Shaunavon.
If they can pull off an upset Friday over the St. Brieux Crusaders, who were the 2A boys’ runner-up last year, they will go up against the host Shadows or the Norquay Knights.
The St. Walburg Saints will be in a 1A girls’ regional tournament in Kenaston, where they will go up against the Gladmar Falcons Friday.
The winner of that game will play in the quarter-final Saturday against either the Cupar Wildcats or the host Kodiaks, who won a bronze medal at last year’s tournament.
Chief Poundmaker has qualified for the 1A boys’ regional tournament in Davidson, where they will face the tournament hosts and defending provincial champion Raiders.
If they can pull off the upset, a date with either the Kerrobert Rebels or the Twin Lakes Eagles of Buffalo Narrows awaits Chief Poundmaker in the quarter-final.
The Hoopla tournament will take place from March 23-25 in Regina.
