Hoopla 2026 - Results and Standouts.

david-harmon
9 minutes ago
7 min read

It was another great weekend of basketball in Moose Jaw, SK, as 48 teams gathered for Hoopla. In Saskatchewan, the high school provincial championship weekend known as Hoopla sees the top 4 boys and girls teams from the 1A to 4A classifications and the top 8 boys and girls teams in 5A. This is the culmination of 3 weeks of action as the rural teams go through Conference playoffs, where top teams are ranked and advance to regional playoffs, where the winner of each regional advances to Hoopla. It makes for a busy, hectic weekend as they play across 4 gyms in one city to determine all the champions. I will take a look at who won and, in my opinion, which players were the MVPs, before giving coaches an overview of some standout male players they should track.

THE PROVINCIAL CHAMPS

Men - Holy Cross Crusaders (Saskatoon, SK) MVP - Raphael Mutongolo

This marks Holy Cross' back-to-back titles; only Raph and Lucian Tyson returned from last year's team. This year's squad has only 4 grade 12s and 2 grade 9s who played significant roles. We could be looking at a dynasty.
Also want to note that Holy Cross had 3 losses all year - Maples (Manitoba 4A champs), Collingwood (BC AA champs), and St FX (Alberta 5A runner-ups). What a season

Women - Leboldus Golden Suns (Regina, SK) co-MVP - Nicola Meban and Hayden Kot

This is 3 in a row for the Suns, with the co-MVP's being major contributors in all 3.
This squad was undefeated against any Saskatchewan opponents this season

Men - Central Cyclones (Moose Jaw, SK)

MVP - Keaton Belsher (Grade 12)

This is 6 in a row for the Cyclones, who don't look to be slowing down anytime soon.

Women - Harvest City Christian Reapers

MVP - Jael Wells (Grade 12) University of Regina Commit

This marks the Reapers 3rd title in 5 years, with a 5A silver as well.

Men - Regina Christian Grizzlies MVP - Osaze Evbuomwan (Grade 11)

Regina Christian has earned 9 gold medals in the past 10 Hoopla competitions. Coach Glasspell has built a program that just keeps winning

Women - Wynyard Bears MVP - Riley Chepil (Grade 10)

This marks the Bears 3rd title in 4 years, with a silver the other year and a 2A title in 2022. Add on Coach Trevor Otsig's 5 - 1A titles in Middle Lake, and your jaw drops at his success.

Men - St Brieux Crusaders

MVP - Wil Daubenfeld (Grade 12)

5 of the last 7 2A championships have gone home with Coach Ryan Trembley.

Women - Preeceville Panthers MVP - Kacey Heskins (Grade 12)

That is 3 straight championships for the Panthers

Men - Porcupine Plain Bears

MVP - Kaden Wasylyk (Grade 12)

Back-to-back for the team from Northeast Sask.

Women - Norquay Knights MVP - Presley Vogel (Grade 11)

This is the 1st ever title for the Knights.

WHO STOOD OUT?

The committed players

(2027) 6'4 Emerson MacCuaig - The King's University (ACAC)

Not much more I can say about the big man, but his footwork, sheer strength, and impressive 3-point shooting all helped his team come get to the title game, and 31 points in a heroic final effort.

(2027) 6' Isiah Yemba - Briercrest College (ACAC)

His leadership and grit were evident once again as his team won a close semi-final before running into the juggernaut that is Central.

(2027) 6'3 Suliman Suliman - Okanagan College (PacWest)

The athletic prospect did a little of everything, winning his 2nd Hoopla title.

(2027) 6'1 Zane Litzenberger - University of Regina Football

29 points in the final in a year where he led team Saskatchewan in scoring at the Canada Games, he had an unbelievable high school career.

(2027) 6'2 Keaton Belsher - University of Saskatchewan Football

3 consecutive 4A Hoopla titles and 24 points in his final championship game.

The Unsigned Grade 12's

(2027) 6'1 Raph Mutongolo Holy Cross

As noted above, he was the MVP for the 5A champs and did it all. He may have only scored 6 points in the final, but I counted 12+ assists unofficially as he fed his big men easy baskets all game. Most impressive was his defense, as always. When Cross needed big stops in overtime, he delivered.

(2027) 6'6 Clarence Ermine Carlton

The big man has been on my radar for several years, and this weekend was his coming-out party. A huge dunk in traffic as his team was coming back in the 4th was definitely a statement. He led the break off of defensive rebounds and found ways to score consistently all game.

(2027) 6' Mofope Soyemi Miller

He opened Hoopla Thursday night with 36 points and was a steady leader for his team throughout the weekend. He is a pure point guard who has grown immensely in his ability to make the game easier for his teammates.

(2027) 6'3 Quinn Teece Sheldon Williams

Quinn is a highly skilled prospect who did it all for his team. Leading them in scoring all 3 games, rebounding, and playing tough defense. He is a tough, scrappy player who will help any program he joins.

(2027) 6' Isak Larsen Walter Murray

Isak has shown over the years I have covered him that he just helps the team win. Whether being the primary ball handler, taking a scoring role, spotting up and knocking down shots, or locking down the opponent's top perimeter player. He just does what he needs to do and is a great teammate.

(2027) 6'2 Nate Fransoo John Paul II

Nate can shoot the ball. When he gets his feet set, the opposition is in trouble. He showed all weekend that he isn't afraid of the moment and did a great job defending as well.

(2027) 6'2 Obama Lasu Harvest City Christian

Obama is uber athletic and plays with a high motor at all times. He attacks the paint and finishes well, but I think it is his defensive upside that makes him a prospect that programs will want. His lateral quickness and ability to explode for rebounds and on the break are impressive.

The Ones to Watch

(2028) 6'4 Sam Hominuke Dr Martin Leboldus

Sam has continued to grow his game this season, and he is getting stronger and more confident in his ability to finish around the rim. He grabs rebounds above the basket and gets out on the break well. I am excited about how he will play on the summer circuit and about his next progression.

(2029) 6'3 Anderson Kot Dr. Martin Leboldus

My first look at the young shooter and he did not disappoint, he plays with a maturity well beyond his years and moves extremely well to find openings to get his shot off. I expect Anderson will be a big-time prospect over the next 2 years.

(2029) 5'9 Kobe Fontanila Miller

My first impression of Kobe is that he can really go. He played at an extremely high pace but was under great control. Having spent his season on the junior team and moving up for the playoffs, he looks as if he has been with the team all year and showed no signs of Hoopla being too big a stage.

(2029) 6'3 Jacob DelCastillo Miller

I am no stranger to Jacob's talent; he has been shooting the lights out for several years on the club scene with various squads. The impression I come away from Hoopla with is that he is growing into his frame, getting stronger, and rounding out his game nicely. Only in grade 10, and putting up huge point totals in big games, Jacobs' ceiling is looking very high.

(2028) 6'6 Daniel Umejiego Holy Cross

To me, Daniel was the breakout player of Hoopla. Coming in, I knew him as one of the best rebounders I had seen in high school ball, and he did not disappoint. However, it was his work on offense that really stood out. He found room down low to get behind the defense, and when his guards gave him the ball, he used his impressive strength to finish through contact and draw fouls. If he realizes that he can finish these with dunks, he will be an even scarier option next season.

(2028) 5'11 Lucian Tyson Holy Cross

I love watching Lucian play. He is a microwave that heats up quickly, and at that point, the game is usually over for his opposition. He can get his shot off from well behind that 3-point line, and he doesn't need much room to do it, but if you guard him too closely, he will get to the rim and finish around much larger defenders. He will be a player coaches want to talk to sooner rather than later, as he will draw a lot of attention next year.

(2028) 6' Nash Temple Central

Nash scored the ball well all weekend and was a driving force for Central. I think coaches will want to keep an eye on him as he takes the lead role in helping Central go for his 7th consecutive title next season.

(2028) 5'9 Zander Rissling Humboldt

This was the first chance I have had to see Zander, and he shot the lights out all weekend. Despite a smaller stature, he was aggressive defensively and showed that he could get his team organized and into their offense.

(2028) 6' Carter Glasspell Regina Christian

Carter was once again at his best, getting his team organized and into their sets. His communication on the floor is incredible to watch, and when given an open shot, he is as good as almost anyone I saw all weekend.

(2028) 6'3 Osaze Evbuomwan Regina Christian

Osaze is going to be one I keep my eyes on closely this summer. He continues to grow physically, and that will be an issue for opponents. He already scores well at all 3 levels, and how that translates against competition in the top club divisions will really show what level coaches should be recruiting him next year.

(2030) 6' Syn Tyson Holy Cross

(2030) 6'6 Paul Petterson Holy Cross

It's rare you see me cover grade 9's as they are so early in their development, projecting them is hard. It is also unheard of to see a grade 9 play a massive role on a defending provincial champ, but these 2 did exactly that. Syn and Paul showed that they can play with anyone anywhere, and I can't wait to see their growth. Watch for an article on these 2 sometime this summer.