Top Teams in Saskatchewan: Exam Break 2026

It has been a busy couple of weeks since the Christmas rankings, and as the exam break comes to an end, we will take another look at how the teams stack up. Tournaments like BRIT, the Riffel Rumble, and Crosstown have given us some intercity play. League play in Saskatoon has made the picture a little clearer, and league play in Regina has made things even more confusing. What I do know is that playoffs will be fun and a lot of teams still have the dream of playing and ultimately winning Hoopla.

#1 Holy Cross Collegiate Crusaders (Saskatoon, SK) (11-2) Previously #1

While BRIT was not what this young squad was hoping for, close losses to Maples (#4 in Manitoba) and Collingwood (#1 in BC 2A) will help this team continue to grow and improve.

The scary part for the rest of the teams in Saskatchewan is that the grade 9s, Syn Tyson and Paul Peterson, are becoming increasingly comfortable every game and are important pieces for Coach Josh Ruttens' squad.

#2 Bishop James Mahoney High School Saints (Saskatoon, SK) (13-3) Previously - #5

They just keep winning, a big win in early January against Walter Murray avenged one of their 3 losses on the season, and a tournament championship at the Riffel Rumble has their stock pointing up. Now the question is, can they hold off everyone who will be circling them on the schedule?

Coaches should be keeping an eye on grade 11, 6'5 Madden Charles. Not only can he shoot the ball with great efficiency, but he is starting to play more physically and rebound at a high rate.

#3 Carlton Crusaders (Prince Albert, SK) (14-4)

Previously #10

They started the year off #1 and had some growing pains leading into the Christmas break, but they came to BRIT firing on all cylinders with Zane Litzenberger looking healthier. They lost their BRIT opener to eventual champs Magrath (#6 in Alberta), but then had great wins over Carson Graham and Walter Murray to secure the consolation championship.

#4 Walter Murray Mauraders (Saskatoon, SK) (10-8)

Previously #2

A bit of a drop after a rough month, Losses to BJM in league play, and Carlton in the BRIT consolation final were not ideal for Coach Scott Hawley's squad as they look to go back to Hoopla, where they have been in 3 straight championship games.

Grade 12 Isak Larsen has really developed into a passer that coaches will want to see. He is averaging close to 10 assists a game and makes the game much easier for the numerous shooters this team has.

#5 Martin Collegiate Monarchs (Regina, SK) (13-6)

Previously #3

Martin had a really rough outing at BRIT, losing to Maples and St Joe's before finally securing a win over the host team to end the tourney on a high. League play saw them lose to Leboldus, but wins over Riffel and Miller leave them looking like the top team in Regina for now.

#6 Miller Mauraders (Regina, SK) (5-3) Previously #4

Miller did not play any tournaments in January, but a heavy league schedule saw them go 5-1 with a loss to Martin. They do drop with a loss to Leboldus in the pre-LIT game. It will be interesting to see if the lack of tournament games helps or hurts them as they come down the stretch of the season.

#7 Campbell High School Tartans (Regina, SK) (8-5)

Previously #7

Campbell has been a very hard team to get a handle on this year. They have a lot of talent and seem to have found their stride after the Christmas break. Their championship run at the Crosstown Classic with wins over St. Mary's and Central may be a sign of things to come. It is also worth noting they beat Leboldus in league play.

#8 Central Cyclones (Moose Jaw, SK) (13-4)

Previously - #9

Central just keeps rolling along and pushing its limits against the 5A teams. They looked good at the Crosstown Classic, coming up short in the finals against Campbell. knocking off a game Leboldus squad in the semis.

#9 Aden Bowman Bears (Saskatoon, SK) (8-5)

Previously N/R

Our new entry into the rankings is the Aden Bowman Bears. After watching this team grow and compete over the last 2 seasons, they pulled off a huge league win over Bethlehem to solidify their status as the #4 team in Saskatoon.

Grade 12 6'1 Kai Dobranski is the engine for this team and is a solid leader that coaches will want to see. He knocks down shots, pushes the pace, and sets his teammates up for success.

#10 Michael A. Riffel High School Royals (Regina, SK) (9-7) Previously #8

Coach Stephen Shields' squad just keeps getting it done. They have suffered 3 losses since Christmas, all to higher-ranked teams - BJM and Martin twice. They will need to bear down coming into playoffs and find a way to beat some of these teams that rank just above them.

Teams to watch

Bethlehem Stars (Saskatoon, SK) (10-2) Previously #6

St Mary's (Prince Albert, SK) (10-4)

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

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We are in for a treat the next 2 months on the road to Hoopla.

While Holy Cross looks very good, only 2 spots are up for grabs in Saskatoon, and there are some teams that would love nothing more than to knock them off. The other semi will be a great game as BJM, Murray, Bowman and Bethlehem all want their spot in Moose Jaw.

Regina is anyone's game - Martin and Miller have losses to Leboldus, and Sheldon Williams has upset Martin. So even with 3 spots at Hoopla at stake, there is no clear frontrunner.

Then we will see 3 teams from rural make it to Hoopla, Carlton is the safest bet to be there, and St Mary's has looked fiesty. Who the third team is, I couldn't even guess - North Battleford, John Paul II, Peacock, and Martensville all could make a run at regionals, and we will just have to sit back and watch who emerges.