PREECEVILLE – The Preeceville High School senior boys’ and girls’ basketball teams achieved their dreams, bringing home gold and silver medals from Hoopla, the Saskatchewan High School Athletics Association provincial basketball championships.
Hoopla was held in Saskatoon from March 20-22, with athletes from across the province vying for gold.
The Preeceville senior girls reclaimed their provincial title in the 1A conference as they battled Kerrobert on March 21. With a dominant 95-44 win, they advanced to the gold-medal match against Foam Lake on March 22. The Preeceville girls had a rough and slow start but managed to regroup, take control of the court and skate away with a 67-40 victory, securing provincial gold and the championship trophy.
The Preeceville senior boys played in the 1A conference and faced a tougher challenge in their first game of the championship against Leask on March 21. The game was quick-paced and evenly matched, but Preeceville pulled ahead late in the third quarter and never looked back, winning 70-61. The victory secured their spot in the finals against the formidable Porcupine Plain Bears.
Having faced Porcupine earlier in the regular season, Preeceville knew they were up against a tough opponent. The championship game was intense and electrifying, but despite a strong effort, Preeceville fell just short in a 76-67 loss, claiming provincial silver.
“The ups and downs! The wins and losses!” said Jay Steppan, coach of the senior boys, in his final season report.
“In February this season, we were missing key guys down the stretch, with illness, vacation and injury. Entering the first round of playoffs in March [conferences], we hadn’t had our full roster play together since the end of January, which made it tough to have that team chemistry that you want going into playoffs... but the boys came together at the right time and went on a run that no other Preeceville team has ever had.
"We didn’t end the season with a win, but we earned a provincial silver medal, going 5-1 in the playoffs. We are so proud of this group and all of the work that they put in this season.
"This weekend, we won against a very good Leask team, which put us in the final against Porcupine, where they came out on top. Congrats to the Porcupine Bears for a great season and a great game.
"I want to thank everyone who supported us in Saskatoon and cheered loudly for the boys. Thank you to all of the parents for their support and trust in Jeremy and myself throughout the season. Thank you to Preeceville School, Doug King and the Preeceville School staff for all your support and help with tournaments and hosting playoffs.
"Most importantly, I want to thank my family - my wife, Lindy, and the kids - for all of their support, coming to every game they could and being by my side every step of the way.
"We also sadly say goodbye to our graduating players: Porter George, Brody Descalchuk, Hunter Nelson and Sean Lavega. You guys will all be missed and did a great job leading our team all year," Steppan concluded.
