The McLeod Series trophy will be staying in Weyburn for another year. The Weyburn Composite School Eagles swept both games on Thursday night against Estevan to secure their 28th consecutive series victory.
The McLeod Series trophy will be staying in Weyburn for another year. The Weyburn Composite School Eagles swept both games on Thursday night against Estevan to secure their 28th consecutive series victory. This was also the Eagles 39th series victory in the 77 times that they have taken on the Elecs in the four-game series.
Weyburn won the previous two games in Estevan on Jan. 27. So, Weyburn would have only needed to win either the boys or girls game to clinch the title.
The night started with the boy's game. The Eagles broke out to a 18-2 lead after the first quarter. As the second quarter wore on, the Elecs began to fight back and momentum was on their side as the game moved into the second half.
However, any hopes of an Elec comeback were stopped in the third quarter. The Eagles were able to control the game from that point on, and won the game 62-37. The third Weyburn win of the series clinched the trophy for the home team.
Weyburn head coach Jacquie Williams said that her team's success came down to having "10 guys who believe in the system" that the Eagles run. She also noted that her "Grade 11's showed a lot of composure and leadership throughout the game." After 20 years in Weyburn, winning the McLeod Series still feels great for the Weyburn coach.
"I was transplanted here from the North. So, even though I was not born here I still feel really proud for the boys. Estevan is the largest centre down here, and they are around the same size as us. Beating them, it means that you own the South," Williams said.
Feelings of pride was echoed by Eagles player Dylan Ellerback.
"It means a lot (to win the McLeod Series). This is being the 39th time that we've won it so its huge for us," said the Grade 11 player.
After the Eagles and Elecs boys squared off, the schools' girls teams took the court. After a tight first quarter the Eagles had a slight 16-15 lead. Eagles coach Wade Oberg admitted that his team was "a little nervous in the beginning of the game." However, after the nerves settled Weyburn was able to take control of the game. When the 40 minutes were up the Eagles came away with a 65-47 win. The win gave the Weyburn a full-series sweep over the Elecs.
The Eagles girls were led in scoring by Grade 11 Dakota Kosior, who had 29 points in the victory. Thursday night was Kosior's first McLeod Series game at home and she said it was "nerve wracking."
"It was our first game at home this year, and at times it didn't feel like we were at home," Kosior said.
When asked how it felt to won her first McLeod Series, Koisor was at a loss for words.
"It feels great (to win the Series). I can't explain how good this feels right now," Kosior said.
Coach Oberg said that the Eagles were able to win because of how they were able to "dominate under the hoop and put pressure on (a good Elec defence)." Oberg also noted how much it meant to his team to win the McLeod Series.
"(The McLeod Series) is a huge deal for us. We talk about winning this at the beginning of the season, and beating Estevan is always a big deal," Oberg explained.
Now the McLeod Series is done, the girls will now have to focus on their home tournament this weekend. This will be the girls last time playing at home this season before they start on the road to provincials.
For the boys, they are now done with home competition this season. The boys goal for the rest of the season is to make it to Hoopla, the provincial high school championship. The first step for the boys will be to make it through conference playoffs, which are set to begin on March 9.
