‘It’s closure:’ Hoopla one-day championship a success

Hoopla looked a little different this weekend.

Teams across Saskatchewan met in Moose Jaw to play one game each. 

This comes after the Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association (SHSAA) announced Wednesday that its provincial basketball championships had been canceled due to the ongoing labour dispute between the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) and the provincial government.

The one-day tournament on Saturday was not affected by the sanctions and was able to go ahead.

One team in particular has waited nearly 30 years for this moment.

The Preeceville girls team finally ended its Hoopla drought and got to play in the gold-medal match.

Amber Spray, a Grade 10 student, is happy the team got to suit up one last time.

“I was glad that we were at least able to have a chance at doing provincials,” she said. “It isn’t the full experience but just to be here and the atmosphere is pretty cool.”

But the cancellation of the full tournament was tough on the team.

“It was hard on Monday seeing our coach and senior players feel defeated,” Spray said.

“To have that ripped away from us, it wasn’t ideal but at least we still get to do something today here.”

Thanks to Preeceville’s high ranking regionals, the one game was for gold.

“We knew that our ranking would matter for regionals, since we didn’t have to play in conferences. But we wouldn’t think that that ranking would have mattered here for provincials,” she said.

Either way, the Preeceville girls are going home with a medal.

“Win or lose, it’s still a win for us in the end,” Spray said.

Arlene Prestie, the Preeceville girls coach, was proud of the young team.

“The fact that they’ve made it to this tournament in the first place was fantastic. To play for gold is just a bonus,” Prestie said.

She said the week prior was an absolute whirlwind for teachers and the team.

“We’re here after some heartbreaking news as of Monday morning and a very trying week,” she said, referring to the day the SHSAA announced it was considering the cancellation of the tournament.

“We’re here to put some closure to this great season that we had by playing one more game. We’re getting our girls to end it on a higher note than we anticipated come Monday, so we’re happy about being here today.”

Prestie credits the SHSAA for its hard work to get this one-day tournament going.

“I know that there was probably a lot of work done once that announcement came on Monday. So it was excellent that they were able to put this together so quickly,” she said.

The feeling of closure rings true for another team that also travelled far for its solo game.

North Battleford Comprehensive High School drove 3.5 hours to play in a consolation game against Campbell Collegiate.

Head coach Ryley Woiden said the journey was worth it, despite the changes.

“It’s not the same obviously,” Woiden said.

“We wanted to play the full schedule as we were hoping for but we also knew that there was a chance of complete cancellation. So the fact that we even get one game is just enough for these guys to be excited about being here and getting to see all the other teams from all the other divisions and that’s a big part of Hoopla as well. Just cheering everybody on. We’re excited to be here playing again.”

North Battleford hasn’t been to Hoopla in quite some time as well.

“Since we got bumped up to 5A and have to play against all the big cities, this is the first time in a while that we’ve been here so it’s pretty exciting for them,” he said.

Although the team won’t be leaving with a medal, the players will be leaving with memories.

“It’s not for a medal but it’s closure for our guys to be able to play on the big stage and for our Grade 12 guys to finally get to play at Hoopla which they’ve been trying to do for years,” Woiden said.

Arvin Rabino, a senior and team captain, is proud of his team.

“I’m here because the boys worked hard. We fought through every challenge we had. We played hard and worked hard to get to Hoopla,” said Rabino.

He has mixed emotions about putting the jersey on one last time.

“It’s kind of sad, but I’m happy we still got one day to at least experience Hoopla,” he said.

“It feels a little overwhelming because it’s going to be my last time playing and life’s just going to move on.”