The Canora Cougars’ senior boys came in second in their home tournament on Friday and Saturday.
The Cougars defeated Norquay 66-49 in the opening game of the eight-team tournament. In their first game on Saturday, the Cougars defeated Wynyard 55-47 which put them in the A-side final Saturday evening.
The Cougars lost 77-51 in the A-side final.
On the B side, Melville beat Kamsack.
           Other teams taking part in the tournament were from Nipawin, Creighton and Melville.
           It was the senior boys’ second tournament of the season, said Coach Kim Eiteneier. The boys placed second, losing to Lipton, in a tournament in Kamsack prior to Christmas.
           The only other game played so far this season was a win in Preeceville in December.
           This is primarily a rebuilding year, said Eiteneier. There are only five Grade 12 students on the team who are setting the pace for the team. There is one Grade 11 player and seven Grade 10 players.
           The team has been able to depend on Kyle Strelioff, a ta11 Grade 12 player who does well under the net and picking up rebounds. Scott Popoff and Ben Kuang, two other Grade 12 players, have done their share providing a base of the team.
           However, it has also been nice to see someone like Nathan Bucsis, a Grade 10 student, demonstrate good ball handling skills and providing sound defence.
           The Cougars will be in Middle Lake this weekend, playing in an eight-team tournament. Then the team will be off to Kamsack for a tournament on January 21. At the end of the month, the Cougars will be in Saskatoon for a tournament on January 29-30.
           In February, the Cougars were to play in Norquay’s tournament on February 5-6 and then in Porcupine Plain on February 26-27.
There is one more home game planned which will be against Preeceville on February 8.
After the Porcupine Plains tournament, teams from Canora, Preeceville, Norquay and Rocanville will participate in the conference playoffs. The two top teams will advance to the regionals.
Cal Tomilin is the Cougars’ assistant coach. Members of the team are: Mikey Skibinsky, Scott Popoff, Ben Kuang, Bryson Hannotte, Tyler Taylor, Garret Fialkowski, Bryce McCormick, Graeme Wilgosh, Nathan Bucsis, Gabriel Howell, Cameron Yagelnesky and Kyle Strelioff.
