Teams across the province are two wins away from making it to HOOPLA, the high school basketball provincial tournament and just four wins away from a provincial title.
Before they turn their sights to Regina's HOOPLA, they must win regionals.
North Battleford Comprehensive High School will host both boys' and girls' 4A regional playoffs Friday and Saturday.
The girls come into action ranked first overall and carry in a 33-2 record. A provincial medal has definitely been the goal for the Vikings this season, but coach Bryan Cottini says his team has to focus on this weekend first.
"It is human nature to look ahead and think about what is coming, but as the coach it is my job to try and keep them focused on the moment and go game-by-game," said Cottini. "As long as we play our game I think things will work out."
The girls face Moose Jaw Central at 4:30 p.m. Friday and Cottini says that is a team they don't know much about going into the action. Along with Moose Jaw Central, the eighth and ninth ranked teams, Yorkton Regional and Melfort Comprehensive, will be competing for the spot at provincials.
Last weekend, the girls were in Kindersley and beat John Paul II and Meadow Lake handily to earn the conference gold medals.
"We used the opportunity to practise some of the stuff we have been working on and it worked really well to have the bench get into good chunks of the game," said Cottini.
The boys were in Meadow Lake on the weekend and after beating Kindersley 74-32 the Vikings beat rival Meadow Lake in the final 70-66. Coach Jamie Sommerfeld said it was one of those days where shots just weren't dropping for his team, but he was happy with the perseverance and obviously the win to advance to regionals. Cody Buziak led the Vikings with 21 points in the conference final.
The boys play Nipawin at 8 p.m. Friday at NBCHS. The Vikings are ranked third overall while Nipawin holds the 14 seed. Sixth ranked Swift Current and 11th ranked Yorkton Sacred Heart will also be competing at NBCHS on the weekend. The Vikings are 23-6 on the season.
In other 4A action, the John Paul II Crusaders will be in Prince Albert along with P.A. St. Mary, Moose Jaw Peacock and Warman in the girls' playoffs. John Paul II beat Martensville 83-26, lost to NBCHS and then lost to Swift Current, but finished fourth and claimed a spot in regionals.
Other Northwest area teams are in regional playoffs this weekend as well. Unity will be in the Birch Hills while Turtleford will play in Caronport at the 3A boys' level.
At the 2A boys' level, Blaine Lake will travel to Regina Christian School, Maidstone will be in Kinistino and Lashburn will play in Saskatoon Christian Centre Academy.
Chief Poundmaker will be in Herbert while Thunderchild will play in Stugis and will play at Regina Harvest City in the 1A boys' division.
In girls' 1A regional action, Paradise Hill is in Lake Lenore, Edam is in Kinistino and Turtleford will play in Kenaston.
Wilkie will host one of the four 2A girls' regional playoffs, as a top seed. Lashburn will be playing in Duck Lake.
Luseland is set for 3A girls' action in Lumsden, Spiritwood will play in Indian Head while Maidstone travels to Caronport.
