(Submitted/Saskatchewan Games Council)

By Cam Lee

Award for Melfort player

Melfort’s Paul Peterson wins Sask. Games Council Award

Dec 20, 2024 | 11:45 AM

A Melfort athlete has won a Saskatchewan Games Council medal.

Team Lakeland basketball player Paul Peterson has received a 2024 Lorne Lasuita Saskatchewan Games Athletic Award following his participation in the 2024 Saskatchewan Summer Games in Lloydminster.

The award is given to one male and one female athlete who “best combined competitive performance, strong leadership skills, good sporting conduct, and a spirit of fair play, cooperation, and friendship.”

An athletic bursary is also provided to help the two recipients with their ongoing participation in sports.

Peterson coaches younger basketball players in Melfort through the local Jr. NBA program, babysitting, and teaching Sunday school. He plays for the Melfort Eagles club basketball team and will try out for the Team Sask development team this spring. Peterson’s goal is to eventually play professional basketball.

Award for Melfort player

Melfort's Paul Peterson wins Sask. Games Council Award

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The Saskatchewan Games Council news release said Peterson is “described as a natural leader whose encouragement, positivity, and unwavering team spirit helped drive his team to a bronze medal.” He did this despite a recurring injury that sometimes meant he was on the bench cheering on his teammates. The news release added that Peterson ensured his teammates were included in off-court activities, and he was quick with encouragement for those that were struggling.

Ezri Vidal of Meadow Lake won the other award. She was just one of two dual-sport athletes (volleyball and basketball) to earn medals in both of her team sports. The Grade 9 student was lauded for her dedication, regularly attending practice in Lloydminster despite the four-hour round trip.

The Lorne Lasuita Ssakatchewan Games Athletic Award was established five years ago to “recognize the various contribution Lasuita has made to the Saskatchewan Games program.” Lasuita played a key role in over 50 multi-sport games through his 50-plus-year career. He was inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame in 2023 in the Builder category.

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Cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @northeastNOW_SK