(Submitted photo/Scott Sorestad, MUCC)

By Ben Tompkins

HOOPLA

Northeast teams vying for provincial gold

Mar 24, 2023 | 2:00 PM

A total of four northeast communities, making up five teams, have their eyes on the prize this weekend, as they’re hoping to take home basketball provincial gold.

For the first time since 2019, the Hoopla provincial basketball tournament is returning to its more natural tournament, as teams from across Saskatchewan descend upon Prince Albert.

What began with over 275 teams vying for a spot, has now been trimmed down to 48; 24 girls and 24 boys teams, across 10 different categories.

The northeast will be well represented in various categories by the 4A Melfort boys, the Porcupine Plain and St. Brieux 2A boys, and the Lake Lenore 1A girls and boys. Each of these teams are just two wins away from taking home the trophy.

NortheastNOW spoke to Melfort Comets’ assistant coach Kelly Linnell about the opportunity her team is presented with.

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“We’re just happy with how hard they work and hope that they go into this weekend and enjoy the whole experience because they were in middle school when the last two Hooplas were on, so they probably aren’t even aware of how big a deal it is.”

This year marks the Saskatchewan High School Athletics Associations’ (SHSAA) 75^th anniversary.

Linnell explained it’s an honour to represent the northeast, coming out of regionals, last weekend.

“The boys know how hard it is to get to Hoopla and I’m just happy that they worked hard and we came out of regionals, and now it’s the next step for Hoopla. Coming from the northeast, there are only three 4A teams here in the northeast, so we’re just happy to be one of them that’s able to go on to Hoopla.”

The Melfort 4A boys will play Saskatoon Marion Graham at 7:45 p.m. at Sask Polytechnic, the Porcupine Plain and St. Brieux 2A boys will play each other at 4:15 p.m. at St. Mary High School, the Lake Lenore 1A boys will play Stoughton at 4:15 p.m. at Carlton Comprehensive, and the 1A Lake Lenore girls will play Kenaston at 7:45 p.m. at Carlton Comprehensive.

Linnell added it’s a bonus to have the provincial tournament, so close to home.

“It’s just really nice to be close, so fans can come and parents can come, just to have that support. We’ve had some big tournaments where the boys have had to play in front of the entire student body of certain schools, so they’ve had that full gym effect and it’s loud, and I’m hoping that will help us as we go into these two games.”

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news@northeastnow.com

On Twitter @BenTompkins_8