Saskatchewan Men's Basketball Rankings: Feb Break Update

When I predicted at the beginning of the year that anything could happen, I thought I was ready, but I did not see all the movement coming. This last month of the season has seen some programs that have been consistently at the top of the last couple of years drop off, and a team that I was high on to start the season really start to cause chaos. Let's take a look

#1 Holy Cross Collegiate Crusaders (Saskatoon, SK) (20-3) Previously #1

Not only is Holy Cross the team to beat in Saskatchewan, but they also went to Kelowna and made a statement that they are one of the best teams in Western Canada. I had predicted they may win 1 game out there, probably their last one, but they opened the tourney knocking off then BC 4A #3 St George, losing to Alberta #1 St Francis Xavier in the semi-final, and coming home with a bronze defeating Alberta #5 Medicine Hat.

Considering they play only 3 grade 12s in their top 8 rotation, Coach Rutten is building a dynasty. I have been extremely impressed with the development of Grade 11 Luca Pek, the 6'3 wing, who does a lot of little things for this squad and will be a prospect college coaches want to watch.

#2 Carlton Crusaders (Prince Albert, SK) (18-7)

Previously #3

They are rolling and, at the MIT tourney in Saskatoon, pushed Holy Cross right to the end, losing by just 5 points. With just some rural tournaments left on their schedule, the question will be how prepared they will the be for the competition they will need to beat at Hoopla to try and get a rematch with the Crusaders.

#3 Bishop James Mahoney High School Saints (Saskatoon, SK) (14-5) Previously - #2

They have faced adversity since the last rankings, as the young squad realizes that the glory of being ranked comes with the pressure of everyone circling you on their schedule. They suffered a tough league loss to Aden Bowman without Taylor Grant in the lineup, and it's unclear whether he will be back. They have a big league game after the break with Bethlehem that will be very important to their Saskatoon seeding and what their road to Hoopla will look like.

#4 Aden Bowman Bears (Saskatoon, SK) (12-8)

Previously #9

A win against BJM really showed who they could be, but at the MIT tourney, they realized just how hard the road would be, losing to both Holy Cross and Carlton. They still have league games against Holy Cross and Walter Murray and will need a win to get the seeding they want for city playoffs.

They are the only Saskatoon with a tournament left, and how they play at The Rock in Regina could tell us a lot about this squad's chances at Hoopla.

#5 Michael A. Riffel High School Royals (Regina, SK) (15-8) Previously #10

Finally, we get to a Regina team that has been trading wins all season, but Riffel seems to be turning the corner and rising out of the pack. 2028 guard Rayce Shaw has been playing really well the last month, and that is good news for Coach Shields. A loss to open the CIT tourney to Sheldon Williams may have been the wake-up call they needed, as they have gone on a run since beating Campbell and Sheldon in league play.

With league games against Regina Christian, Miller, and Leboldus to go, there is a lot to settle on seeding for their path to Hoopla.

#6 Bethlehem Stars (16-4)

Previously N/R

Bethlehem is really starting to grow on me with their high-paced play and full-court pressure defense. A win against Walter Murray before the break was a huge boost, and a win over St Mary's in the final of the St Mary's tourney in Prince Albert helped their case.

They will face a lot of pressure after the break and need to find wins over BJM and a St Joe's squad that has found new life since Coach Nechvatal took on head-coaching responsibilities. If not, they will need to beat Holy Cross in the playoffs to move on to Hoopla.

#7 Central Cyclones (Moose Jaw, SK) - 4A school (16-5)

Previously - #8

Central just continues to roll, and another 4A Hoopla crown should be in their future. Before the break, they went to Winnipeg and, as always, took on some teams that, on paper, are outside their weight class, and, as we have learned to expect, came home with a 3-1 record and a bronze medal.

They will once again take on some great competition before they begin their hoopla defense at the ROCK in Regina. I can not wait to see this squad in person again.

#8 Regina Christian Grizzlies (Regina, SK) - 3A school (15-4)

Previously - N/R

The defending 3A provincial champs have been on my radar all year, and I knew they would be very likely to repeat, but they have gone on a tear in Regina league play, winning over Leboldus and Miller in the last 3 weeks. They also looked very good at MIT, posting a 2-2 record, including a battle with Carlton in the bronze medal game.

Led by 2028 Osaze Evbuomwan and 2028 Carter Glasspell, this squad is young and understands what it takes to win. They will play Campbell and Riffel after the break and host a loaded ROCK tourney that may have us wanting more at Hoopla.

#9 Miller Mauraders (Regina, SK) (12-7)

Previously - #6

This is where Regina gets very tricky, and it will be the rest of the way. With 3 spots up for grabs at Hoopla, just about anyone could be going. Miller has gone .500 since the exam break, but that is as good as anyone has done. They have strong wins over Campbell and Sheldon Williams, but have lost to Campbell, RCS, and Martin in between.

Coach Nav Burke will need to get his squad's momentum back on track. Games against Leboldus and Riffel before the playoffs start will tell the story.

#10 St Mary's Maurauders (Prince Albert, SK) (14-6)

Previously N/R

This team has been incredibly resilient all season. They have played mostly rural tournaments, but close games with Carlton and Bethlehem have me thinking they will be very feisty come Hoopla. With 3 rural 5A spots available, they should be there and may just be able to give a top seed a real scare.

Teams to watch

Walter Murray Mauraders (13-12) Previously #4

Martin Monarchs (Regina, SK) (19-11) Previously #5

Leboldus Golden Suns (Regina, SK) (11-7)

Campbell Tartans (Regina, SK) (13-8) Previously #8

As I mentioned in several of the write-ups above, the city playoffs will be crazy given how the berths to Hoola fall. We have 6 teams that could grab a Saskatoon berth, and with Holy Cross expected to get one, the playoff seeding will be huge.

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Regina will have 3 Hoopla berths, and with Regina Christian playing 3A and Harvest City in 4A, it will be incredibly competitive for the other teams to see what 3 can make the playoff run they need to have a shot at a provincial crown. I can see any of Martin, Miller, Riffel, Leboldus, Sheldon Williams, or Campbell grabbing spots.

The rural areas will also be interesting. Carlton and St Mary look incredibly strong and likely to grab 2 of the berths, but who the 3rd team is remains a mystery. I liked how Swift Current looked, North Battleford has some talent, and Martensville has the best big man in the province. We are in for a treat the next 6 weeks, and I will be at many Saskatoon games and the ROCK tourney to keep providing insight.

Finally, a huge congratulations to some Saskatchewan players who have signed to play post-secondary next year. Lots of ID camps still coming up and I am happy to talk with anyone who needs help navigating the next level.

- Joseph Lippai will head east to play for UPEI in USport

- Emerson McCuaig will head to Edmonton to play for The King's University in ACAC action

- Zane Litzenberg is heading to Regina to play football for the Rams

- 2 players who spent the year playing post-grad basketball in the Dime Sessions, Rashawn Taniskishayinew for FN basketball and Grady Wilson for Golden Ticket, have both signed to play for Olds College in the ACAC.