CHRISTMAS BREAK RANKINGS - Dec 20/2024
Now that we are on Christmas Break and all the teams have played at least one tournament and a few league games, let's revisit our girls' rankings.
1. Leboldus Golden Suns (9-1)
Leboldus has performed as strongly as we anticipated in our preseason rankings. They finished the first round of league play with a perfect 4-0 record and won the GIT tournament in Saskatoon convincingly. Their only setback occurred at the prestigious REB tournament in Edmonton, where they faced Strathcona High School, ranked #3 in Alberta, in the first round. Strathcona went on to win the tournament, while Leboldus claimed victory in the consolation bracket.
After the Christmas break, Leboldus will continue to be a target for teams both within and outside the province. However, they look very strong and are likely to reach the Hoopla final again.
2. Swift Current Ardens (8-2)
The Ardens remain undefeated against all Saskatchewan opponents, achieving their victories convincingly. They easily won the St. Mary's tournament, defeating St. Joe's. They then hosted a tournament, which, although featuring mostly smaller schools, showcased their dominance.Â
Their real challenges came when they traveled to Lethbridge to compete in the LCI tournament, which was filled with ranked Alberta teams. The Ardens won their opening game against Notre Dame from Calgary, but lost to Holy Trinity and Spruce Grove, the latter being ranked #5 in Alberta.
We are all eager to see when Swift will face one of the Regina teams and to hear the results of that matchup.
3. Miller Marauders (7-2)
The Miller Marauders have a strhadong start this season, demonstrating the competitiveness of the top girls' teams in the province. They finished the first round of Regina league play with a record of 3-1, experiencing a narrow five-point loss to Leboldus.
To kick off the year, they traveled to Edmonton to compete in St. Francis Xavier's Mike Dea Classic, wrapping up the tournament with a 3-1 record. They achieved impressive victories over St. FX and Louis St. Laurent, but a loss to Foothills Comp (#6 in Alberta) prevented them from reaching the championship game.
After Christmas, the Marauders will have several opportunities to face Leboldus again, but they will need to be mindful of other teams that are also challenging for the top positions.
4. Winston Knoll Wolverines (5-2)
Knoll started the season strong, finishing 2-2 in the opening round of league play. However, they were unable to overcome Leboldus and Miller. They also participated in one tournament, traveling to Saskatoon for the Centennial C4, where they won the championship defeating both St. Mary and North Battleford.
Knoll has been impressive so far and will have opportunities to improve their rankings, with several upcoming games against Leboldus and Miller. They need to remain cautious, as only three teams from Regina will qualify for Hoopla, and other teams below them are working hard to catch up for a spot.
5. Holy Cross Crusaders (8-1)
The Crusaders have made the biggest jump in the rankings, impressing everyone with their performance. Despite losing several key players to graduation, the younger athletes have stepped up remarkably, defeating Murray in a preseason game and starting the preliminary round of league play in Saskatoon with a 2-0 record. They have participated in two tournaments, winning the Fekula Classic in Regina with ease and finishing as runners-up to Leboldus at the GIT.Â
Holy Cross is currently the team to beat in Saskatoon, but competition will be intense for the three Hoopla spots that are up for grabs.
6. Walter Murray Marauders (2-4)
This team has been the most challenging to rank so far. They haven't played a heavy schedule leading up to the break, with only three of their games played against teams from Saskatchewan. In those matchups, they recorded a 2-1 record, suffering their only loss to Cross by just two points in the season-opening exhibition match. Their other three losses occurred at the REB tournament in Edmonton, where they competed against two strong teams from Alberta and one from California.
Given their limited number of games, this is a team to keep an eye on to better understand their true standing.
7. Wynyard Bears (8-2)
Wynyard is one of the teams that was unranked in the preseason but has now made it into the rankings. What makes Wynyard unique is that they are a 3A team competing against tougher 5A opponents, and they have made a strong impression so far.
They won the Lanigan Tournament and finished as the runners-up at the Humboldt Tournament, where they suffered an upset against Meadow Lake in a late-game comeback. Their current ranking reflects their impressive performance in the St. Mary's Tournament, where they lost to Swift Current in the semifinals but secured significant victories over Battleford and St. Mary's in the third-place game.
We will see Wynyard again in the MIT at Walter Murray, where they will face top teams to further assess their competitiveness. There is little doubt that they should be strong favorites for another 3A championship.
8. St. Joseph Guardians (6-4)
A new addition to the rankings has made a strong impression this season. They began with an impressive victory over Centennial and participated in two tournaments, finishing in 2nd and 3rd place, respectively. At the St. Mary's Tournament, they reached the finals but lost to Swift Current after defeating St. Mary in the semi-finals. At their home tournament (GIT), they lost to Holy Cross in the semi-finals before defeating Carleton for the bronze medal.
The Guardians have looked very good so far and will be a contender for a spot at Hoopla.
9. North Battleford (6-3)
This new addition to the rankings has performed well in every tournament so far but has fallen short in each one. They began at the St. Mary's Tournament, where they lost to Wynyard in the semifinals but secured a win against Carleton to claim 3rd place. At the GIT, they lost their opening game to Holy Cross but bounced back by defeating St. Mary's and Peacock, ultimately winning the consolation bracket. Finally, at the C4 tournament, they enjoyed an impressive opening win against Centennial but lost to Knoll in the finals.
They have demonstrated strong potential and appear to be on an upward trend. We will see if they can put it all together after the break and come away with a couple of tournament championships.
10. Centennial Chargers (3-5)
Our final-ranked team has had a challenging start to the Saskatoon league play, suffering losses to Holy Cross, Walter Murray, and St. Joe's in an exhibition match. They traveled to Edmonton for the Totem Classic, where they lost against Jasper Place (#8 in Alberta) and All Saints (Calgary), but managed to secure a win against J. Cardinal Schubert (Calgary) in their final game.Â
They also hosted the C4 tournament, where they lost to North Battleford but won against St. Mary's, ultimately finishing in third place.
As I previously mentioned, Saskatoon has faced lighter competition in league play, which presents opportunities to improve with some victories. They will need to compete hard to qualify for Hoopla, and it will be exciting to watch their journey.
Other Notes
- Regina appears to have three strong teams, while both Harvest City and Campbell have had a rough start to the season. Expect Harvest City to make a comeback, as they have string players and coaching. Campbell will be working hard to move back up from B Pool in hopes of securing a spot at Hoopla.
-The Rural division has been very competitive, with teams consistently challenging one another. St. Mary's has performed well, making it difficult to drop them from the rankings. Additionally, keep an eye on Carleton as playoff time approaches; they are a formidable team.
- After Christmas, Saskatoon is expected to be highly competitive, with all four ranked teams believing they deserve a spot at Hoopla.
PRESEASON RANKINGS - Nov 8/2024
With November 18th marking the opening day for basketball in Saskatchewan, it’s time to assess the top teams in the province this year. Hoopla will be hosted in Saskatoon, and the 5A field will feature three teams from Saskatoon, three from Regina, and two qualifying rural teams.
As I analyze the provincial basketball landscape, I notice that many grade 12 players have graduated and teams will heavily rely on underclass players this year, which will likely affect the standings for 2024/25. Let’s take an early look at what I anticipate for the 2024/25 season.
These rankings are based on conversations with coaches, basketball enthusiasts, and players themselves. The interesting aspect of team rankings is that they are not definitive; teams will ultimately earn their places at Hoopla through their performance. I have gathered information on where to watch these teams, so fans and college coaches can follow their progress when they are nearby.
#1 Dr. Martin LeBoldus Catholic High School Golden Suns
It is often easy to place the defending provincial champions at the top of rankings, and Leboldus makes a strong case for this. Despite finishing in 4th place in Regina League play last season, they secured 3rd place in the playoffs after the semi-final game against Winston Knoll was canceled due to work action. They were seeded #2 for Hoopla, and in what some may have considered an upset, they defeated Winston Knoll to claim the provincial title. Coach Kot is looking to replicate the success he had in 2018 and 2019 when he won back-to-back provincial titles.
While the loss of six Grade 12 players cannot be overlooked, the team still has promising talent, including Hayden Kot, who is moving into Grade 11, and Nicola Meban, who is entering Grade 10. This young talent gives them a real opportunity to repeat their success.
Their schedule this year will include the following tournaments to complement league play:
GIT (St. Joseph; Saskatoon, SK) - Dec 5-7th
REB (Jasper Place; Edmonton, AB) - Dec 12-14th
Leboldus Tourney (Regina, SK) - Jan 16-18
CIT (Campbell; Regina, SK) - Jan 30 to Feb 1
LIT - qualifier TBA
#2 Swift Current Comprehensive High School Ardens (Swift Current, SK)
Coach Andrew Herrick is aiming to bring the 5A provincial championship to a rural school for the first time since 1996, when Moose Jaw Peacock achieved this feat.. In the 2023/24 season, the Ardens won the rural qualification but fell short in the bronze medal game at Hoopla against Walter Murray. This year, they return with the majority of their team intact, with only two Grade 12 players graduating from last season's squad. Led by guard Dani Meyer, along with Kylee Michaluk and Sarah Neustaeter, they are ready to make history and claim the title from the big city teams.
Their schedule this year will include the following tournaments to complement league play:
#3 Miller Marauders (Regina, SK)
Miller and Coach Carter Martens faced a challenging 2023/24 season due to injuries, which prevented them from fielding the team they believed they could be. Finishing in 5th place in league play resulted in a quarterfinal matchup against LeBoldus. As they move into the 2024/25 season, they carry high hopes.
However, the upcoming season won't be easy, as they have lost two key Grade 12 players. Renee Dauphinais and Princess Castaneda have graduated and will be attending Brandon University and Keyano College, respectively. Fortunately, team MVP Jordyn Neumann returns, along with Jessica Wicklund and Ali Eidsness plus several players moving up from junior ranks, Coach Martens feels optimistic about the season ahead and aims for a trip to Saskatoon.
Their schedule this year will include the following tournaments to complement league play:
Mike Dea (St Francis Xavier; Edmonton, AB) - Dec 5-7
CIT (Campbell; Regina, SK) - Jan 30 to Feb 1
Swift Current Tourney -
LIT - qualifier TBA
#4 Winston Knoll Collegiate Wolverines (Regina, SK)
The 2023-2024 season was notable for Coach Lance Ford and the Wolverines. They finished first in the Regina regular season and secured the city championship by defeating Campbell in the finals. However, their journey ended in the provincial final, where they lost to LeBoldus.
As the team prepares for the this season, they have lost four graduates, including wing player Josie Valley, who will be joining the Regina Cougars. Nevertheless, the Wolverines have a strong core that can lead them to another successful run at Hoopla. Coach Ford will be counting on two key seniors: guard Ryan Zimmer and post player Maddie Chicoine. He is also excited about a talented group of juniors, including Brooke and Brynn Birnie.
Their schedule this year will include the following tournaments to complement league play:
C4 (Centennial; Saskatoon, SK) - Dec 12-14
Cross Town Classic (Winston Knoll; Regina, SK) - Jan 16-18
CIT (Campbell; Regina, SK) - Jan 30 to Feb 1
LIT - qualifier TBA
#5 Walter Murray Collegiate Maurauders (Saskatoon, SK)
The 2023/24 season was a successful one for Coach Katie Farmer and the Murray Marauders. The team finished undefeated in Saskatoon league play and secured the city championship. They entered Hoopla ranked third and ultimately took home the bronze medal.
As the team looks ahead to the 2024/25 season, they will face challenges due to the graduation of four Grade 12 players, including Sophie Larson, who will join the Saskatchewan Huskies, and Megan Jetzke, who is headed to the Concordia Thunder. However, with Ryan Deutscher moving into Grade 10 and several other underclassmen returning to the squad, Coach Farmer has a competitive team that is poised for success in the coming years.
Their schedule this year will include the following tournaments to complement league play:
REB (Jasper Place; Edmonton, AB) - Dec 12-14
MIT (Walter Murray; Saskatoon, SK) - Jan 28-30
LIT (Luther; Regina, SK) - Feb 6-8
#6 Campbell Collegiate Tartans (Regina)
In the 2023/24 season, the Campbell team had an impressive performance, finishing second in Regina and earning the sixth seed at Hoopla. They managed to upset Holy Cross in the fifth-place game, concluding their season on a high note.
For the 2024/25 season, changes are on the horizon for the Tartans, as coach Bill Nagel will be transitioning to coaching the junior boys’ team. Claire Dore will take over as the new head coach. She will face challenges, as the team will graduate six players, including Gabrielle Kaban, who will join the Saskatchewan Huskies this season.
Their schedule this year will include the following tournaments to complement league play:
Medicine Hat Tourney (Medicine Hat, AB) - Dec 12-14
Leboldus Tourney (Regina, SK) - Jan 16-18
CIT (Campbell; Regina, SK) - Jan 30 to Feb 1
The ROCK (Regina Christian; Regina, SK) - Feb 26-28
LIT - qualifier TBA
#7 Centennial Chargers
The 2023/24 season did not conclude as the Chargers had hoped. They finished third in Saskatoon league play, and since the city only sent two teams to the Hoopla playoffs, they were eliminated based on their ranking. The work stoppage also disrupted the city playoffs.
Looking ahead to the 2024/25 season, there will be a new head coach for Centennial, as longtime coach Trevor Mirtle has retired and handed the reins to Maddy Humbert. Coach Humbert inherits a team that has been quietly developing, featuring young players who have gained valuable experience. This will be Maya Haggerty's senior year, and she is certainly one to watch. She will be joined by juniors Paige Mirtle and Elyse Wagner, who are entering their third season on the senior team and are eager to compete for city and provincial titles.
Their schedule this year will include the following tournaments to complement league play:
Totem Classic (Ross Sheppard; Edmonton, AB) - Dec 5-7
C4 (Centennial; Saskatoon, SK) - Dec 12-14
MIT (Walter Murray; Saskatoon, SK) - Jan 28-30
LIT (Luther; Regina, SK) - Feb 6-8
#8 Harvest City Christian Academy Reapers (Regina, SK)
This school, which has only 80 students in grades 9-12, continues to compete with the largest schools in the province. Technically a 2A school, they are once again declaring for 5A and aiming for a provincial title, hoping to add to their 5A silver medal from the 2022/23 season. Coach Joel Wells graduated only one player from last year's roster, putting the team in a strong position for this upcoming season.
With Jael Wells, Kai-Lynn Clive and Severyn Ferrara-Horne all only entering their junior years, we can expect great things from this small but formidable school. The question will be their depth and can they find enough players that can fill out a roster that is competitive.
Their schedule this year will include the following tournaments to complement league play:
O'Neill Tourney (Regina, SK) - Nov 21- 23
St. Vital Tourney (Winnipeg, MB) - TBA
CIT (Campbell; Regina, SK) - Jan 30 to Feb 1
LIT - qualifier TBA
The ROCK (Regina Christian; Regina, SK) - Feb 26-28
#9 Holy Cross High Schoool Crusaders (Saskatoon, SK)
The 2023/24 season saw them finish second in both the regular season and playoffs in Saskatoon, earning a 5th seed at Hoopla. Unfortunately, they fell short against Campbell in that game, marking the end of their season. This upcoming season will bring significant changes for a program that has consistently been a leading women's team in Saskatoon. Coach Shaun Nechvatal is stepping away, and his assistant from the past several years, Coach Janaya Brown, will take over the program. Additionally, they will lose six players to graduation, including Kayla Gillespie-Kraft, who will be joining Mount Royal University in Calgary.
Taylor Randall will be the only returning player entering their senior year and will be expected to lead a young team. Holy Cross will have a strong group of juniors coming up, and they will need to focus on securing a third Saskatoon berth to Hoopla this year.
Their schedule this year will include the following tournaments to complement league play:
GIT (St. Joseph; Saskatoon, SK) - Dec 5-7th
Balfour Tourney - (Balfour; Regina, SK) - Dec 12-14
CIT (Campbell; Regina, SK) - Jan 30 to Feb 1
Centennial Tourney (Centennial; Calgary, AB) - Feb 6-8
#10 Ecole St Mary's High School Marauders (Prince Albert, SK)
St. Mary will need to put in a significant effort to compete for a spot at Hoopla, as only two berths are available for rural teams. This year, Swift Current is looking particularly strong. Just like in the 2023/24 season, when St. Mary lost to Swift Current in the rural final, I expect to see the same two teams facing off again. Coach Dwayne Gareau has developed an excellent tournament schedule to ensure the team is well-prepared for the challenge ahead.
Last season, he graduated five Grade 12 players, including point guard Sydney Batiuk. This year, he is counting on guard Cate Rapin and post player Esther Akinobu to have standout senior seasons as they fend off other rural contenders, aiming to secure one more berth to Hoopla.
Their schedule this year will include the following tournaments to complement league play:
St Mary's Tourney (St Mary's; Prince Albert, SK) - Nov 28-30
GIT (St. Joseph; Saskatoon, SK) - Dec 5-7th
C4 (Centennial; Saskatoon, SK) - Dec 12-14
Carleton Invitational (Prince Albert, SK) - Jan 10 - 12
Cross Town Classic (Winston Knoll; Regina, SK) - Jan 16-18
MIT (Walter Murray; Saskatoon, SK) - Jan 28-30
North Battleford Tourney - Feb 28-Mar 2
Instead of Honorable mentions, here are my predictions for the Premier division teams in each city as well as my top 5 rural teams.
Saskatoon Premiere League
Walter Murray Marauders
Centennial Chargers
Holy Cross Crusaders
St Joseph Guardians
Aden Bowman Bears
Bethlehem Stars
Marion Graham Falcons
Bishop J Mahoney Saints
Regina Premiere League
Leboldus Suns
Miller Mauraders
Winston Knoll Wolverines
Campbell Tartans
Harvest City Reapers
Riffel Royals
Balfour Bears
Luther Lions
Rural Team
Swift Current
St Mary's Crusaders
Wynyard Bears - 3A
North Battleford Vikings
Moose Jaw Vanier - 4A
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