WILKIE – The McLurg senior girls’ basketball team came home from a one-day tournament in Moose Jaw, claiming the title of 1A champions.
With the announcement of Hoopla being cancelled due to the impasse between the Saskatchewan government and the Saskatchewan Teacher’s Federation, the Saskatchewan High School Athletics Association (SHSAA) was able to find a way for students to still play.
SHSAA created a one-day tournament, where each team was allowed to play a gold game in their divisions. Teams from across the province funneled into the city, ready to play at various locations and times.
“Not being able to finish the season is disheartening for these kids, commented coach and parent of the McLurg Broncs team, Mark Myszczyszyn.
"They put years of work into the sport, with each year seeing them play against stronger teams and winning those games."
The team has five players graduating and the possibility of not playing the championship game was not something they imagined. Some of the young ladies travelled to Regina on March 20 to stand in front of the legislative building with other students who were asking for the chance to attend Hoopla.
“Not knowing what was happening was a rollercoaster for these girls,” added Myszczyszyn.
Although the event was not the same as the Hoopla experience, the team was happy to get the opportunity to play. The Broncs were matched to play against Asquith, with a final score of 73-40 for the Wilkie team.
For some of the girls, this is not their final game. Kiri Myszczyszyn, Brooke Bannerman, Emily Hango, Chloe Brebner and Kieran Brebner have all been selected to play on the all-stars teams. They will play on April 7 in Saskatoon.
