PREECEVILLE - The Preeceville School senior boys and girls basketball teams earned their place to attend HOOPLA Provincial Championships in Saskatoon on March 20-22, when they were both crowned Regional Champions. Both teams hosted Regional Championships on March 14 and 15 at the Preecville School.
The boys came into Regional championships with the #1 seed in 1A, so their first match was against #16 Wolseley Warriors.
“The Panthers had a great game, start to finish as they battled to a 109-44 win, to advance to the regional final, with a spot in hoopla on the line,” said Jay Steppan, coach.
The Panthers played a great game and worked well as a team as Blake Descalchuk and Dhexy Paligan lead the charge with 20 points each.
Brody Descalchuk added 17, while Porter George had 12 and Luke Sandager put up 7.
The Panthers showed their combination of speed and skill, as they turned good defence into quick offence on the other end.
On Saturday afternoon, Preeceville played against #8 ranked Kenaston.
Kenaston was a good team and made the Panthers work for every basket they got.
At the end of the first quarter, the Panthers held a 21-11 lead over Kenaston.
In the second and third quarters, the Panthers got their legs under them and utilized their speed to push the pace and get some much needed fast break points.
The Panthers went on a 21-9 run in the 2nd quarter and led 42-20 at the half.
In the 3rd quarter, Preeceville had a very good offensive quarter as they scored 29 points, to extend their lead.
The Panthers went on to win the game 83-38 to advance to Hoopla as the #1 ranked team in 1A.
This is the 4th straight year that the Preeceville boys have advanced to Hoopla, and the first time in school history that they have been the #1 seed.
“We are so proud of these boys and all the work that they have put in. The last two years, many people have doubted that we’d do well, and this Hoopla berth is a testament to the development of these young men and their will to compete and play as a team,” stated Steppan.
At Hoopla, the boy's first game will be held on Friday, March 21, they will play a very good team in the Leask Rams, who advanced in their region with a 103-94 win over #4 ranked Kinistino.
Dhexy Paligan finished the game with an impressive 30-point game, while Blake Descalchuk added 19 and Porter George with 14 points.
The Preeceville Senior Girls team also easily advanced as they defeated Choiceland on Friday with a final score of Central Butte on Saturday with a final score of 87-20 to advance to Hoopla. On March 21, the girls will take on Kerrobert. They will need to win in order to advance to the gold medal match-up.
At HOOPLA, teams from 1A-5A conferences will play at four different locations in Saskatoon, Bethlehem Catholic High School, Centennial Collegiate, Marion M. Graham Collegiate ,and St. Joseph High School.
Provincial championship high school basketball began in 1951 and it has evolved to be five classifications and the competition we now know as HOOPLA, stated the HOOPLA website. Teacher Sanctions for the cancellation of the 2025 HOOPLA championship. Teams gathered in Moose Jaw for a one-day Provincial Championship which saw each team participate in a single game based on their seed. The SHSAA and teams alike are thrilled to head into a full HOOPLA championship in Saskatoon. The ‘Road to Hoopla’ has led 48 teams, representing all 14 of our Athletic Districts, to Regina this weekend. This is a weekend looked forward to by the teams and their schools, and the many school sports enthusiasts from across Saskatchewan. A total of 54 games will occur over the three days leading to 10 different provincial champions. We look forward to the championship – a celebration of the season-long effort by coaches and players, the thrill of the competition, the excitement of the crowds, and the displays of good sportsmanship all of which are significant parts of the HOOPLA experience.
