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Written by Harrison Paulichuk The Redhawks Invitational Tournament (RIT) is an annual eight-team men's and women's tournament hosted in Calgary by Western Canada High School. This past weekend marked my first time attending, and after seeing the level of play across both draws, it’s a tournament I’ll be hoping to cover again next year. From Jasper Place and Western Canada renewing their rivalry in the women’s final after a 2OT thriller at the REB, to the Foothills men settling in and looking like a legitimate top Alberta team, the weekend offered no shortage of high-level moments.  The women’s side was stacked this year with three top-10 ranked Alberta teams and one ranked BC team. Meanwhile, the men's side matched this energy with two top-10 ranked Alberta teams and a top AAA BC team. With that level of top‑end talent, the separation was minimal, and by the time Saturday rolled around, nearly every matchup felt like it could swing either way.  On both the men’s and women’s sides, you could reasonably argue that any of the top five teams had a legitimate case to finish on top if a few possessions or bounces went differently. I saw some high-level play and some elite-level athletes all weekend, and despite four major tournaments running in Alberta at the same time, I had no regrets about being in Calgary. The Redhawks Invitational deserves more exposure than it currently gets. Below are the final standings from both draws: Men’s Results: Champions - Foothills 2nd - Western Canada 3rd - St. Mary's 4th - All Saints 5th - MEI 6th - Jasper Place 7th - Bishop McNally 8th - Cochrane Women’s Results: Champions - Western Canada 2nd - Jasper Place 3rd - MEI 4th - Aberhart 5th - Foothills 6th - Springbank 7th - Bowness 8th - St. Mary's This is one of the first times I’ve covered both the men’s and women’s sides in the same article. While much of my audience follows the men’s game more closely, that shouldn’t take away from the level of talent on the women’s side. With the number of top programs and several players with clear USports — or higher — potential in the gym, there was no shortage of standout performances. For this piece, I put together two all‑tournament teams based on players who consistently stood out over the weekend. This isn’t a ranking of the “best” players, but rather recognition for athletes who impacted winning when it mattered most, especially on the final day. I heavily valued hustle, defensive presence, and overall game IQ - traits that translate directly to the next level - and those themes will come up repeatedly throughout the article. This article isn’t about box scores — it’s about which players consistently impacted winning and left it all on the court, making an impression on me, and their teams. Every player highlighted showed that they belong in that conversation. Men's All-RIT Team Photo courtesy of capturedby_chriss Mayen Atem | 6'5 | All Saints | 2027 One of the best on-ball defenders in Calgary, Atem is an elite stopper and enjoys playing defence. The Keyano commit is a switchable on-ball defender and can hold his own against 1-4, using both length and reach. His reach allows him to grab steals on-ball, especially when ball handlers relax for even a moment. He also plays as a help defender in the paint with All Saints, closing lanes and making opponents think twice about attacking inside. He chooses not to force a steal or a block and risk getting handed a foul or being blown past on defence. As a point of attack defender, Atem prefers to lock up opponents for the full shot clock and simply play lockdown defence. Being this level of defensive threat is taxing, especially when tasked with guarding the opposing team’s best player, yet Atem still handles primary ball‑handling duties on offence. He plays an explosive game on offence and has a quick first step to the hoop. Once he finds his spots or sees a lane, his footwork stands out, and he has a variety of finishing moves around the rim. His release is smooth both in the paint and from beyond the arc, making him a dual threat. Atem was one of the best defenders in the tournament and will play for a team next year that fits his style of play. Drew Byam | 6'1 | Foothills | 2027 A Shifty 6'1 guard who runs Foothills' offence and can score at will. Byam earned the tournament MVP award and held the championship trophy for the men's side of the 2026 RIT. He hustles and plays with grit, as any Foothills player does. He averaged 23.3 PPG on a solid 40.8% from the field with a high usage rate and was likely the top of every opponent's game plan coming into the weekend, as he has made a name for himself throughout this season, recently coming off an All-Canadian Games nomination. He has an elite shot from deep, hitting 3.7 per game over the tournament, off of both spot-up shots and looks that he creates for himself off the dribble. He hardly needs any space to get a shot off and knows when defenders are sagging off just enough for him to see the rim. His release is pure and translates to all three levels; even when moving and fading, he doesn’t need to be set to punish the defence. An elite shooting touch is aided by a strong handle, allowing him to consistently create his own looks. As a floor general, Byam runs the court with confidence and composure. Even when pressured or doubled, he stays calm and makes the right play, whether that’s finding the open man or punishing a gap in the press. Down the lane, Byam is a crafty finisher with the handle and footwork to get to the rim. He doesn’t shy away from contact either, showing the rim the same confidence that the three-point arc sees. Byam is a high-level scoring guard but isn’t a liability on the defensive end either, grabbing 1.3 steals and 1.0 block per game at the RIT. His potential is sky high, and he will put in the work wherever he ends up next year.   Other per-game stats from the weekend: 6.8 Rebounds, 2.7 Assists Tighe Haughton | 6'6 |Western | 2027 Haughton is a 6'6 athlete who plays with size and grit. HIs explosiveness from the wing made for several highlight slams over the weekend. He has a large wingspan and is built like a university-ready athlete with a solid frame. He has the defensive IQ and build to know when to contest shots as a mobile defensive threat, averaging a block per game this weekend and swatting three in the championship game. Haughton searches for open space off-ball, which allows him to find open looks and not have to force anything. He can get hot from deep and has a pure release when he catches the ball in rhythm. Over the weekend, he had a handful of late shots before the buzzer and wasn’t fazed by the clock or defence, showing plenty of composure. When the team needed a basket, he was able to step up and deliver. Haughton’s shot isn’t limited to beyond the arc and translates well to the elbow or from the paint. He plays tough and always bruises inside, fighting for rebounds on both ends. He averaged over seven rebounds per game on the weekend and helped his team capitalize on second chance points, leading them to the final. When getting inside, Haughton was a bulldozer down the lane. He isn’t afraid to drive right into the teeth of the defence and finish through contact, drawing the and-one. Haughton is a high-potential athlete who already has a solid foundation and should be on the radar of USports programs. Cedric Reynolds-Raby | 6'4 |St. Mary's | 2027 Reynolds-Raby is one of the best all-around team players in this tournament. The guard has been playing starter minutes for a top-10 provincial team over the past two seasons and does exactly what they need out of him from year to year. He isn’t the flashiest player on the court who will stand out in a mixtape, but he plays the right way and contributes to winning basketball. He averaged eleven points over the weekend on a high efficiency and always guarded the toughest assignments on the perimeter. His first step and overall footspeed — both laterally and in transition — are among his best attributes. This footspeed helps him to not just stay with even bigger defenders, but to stick on them like glue. His defensive movement forces turnovers through tight ball pressure and quick hands, averaging two steals per game. That hustle carries over to the glass, where Reynolds‑Raby consistently crashes hard and sneaks in for rebounds as a guard. He has a “Josh Hart” type build and stature on the court, finishing the weekend with five rebounds and four assists per game. He processes the game at a high level and positions himself well. He is never afraid to make another pass or drive when there is an open lane. When he does get a look he likes, he’s a reliable finisher at the rim with a soft touch off the glass. If defence sags off, he is a great catch-and-shoot option from the perimeter, especially in the corners. Reynolds‑Raby has the potential to develop into a starting‑calibre player for any team looking for a true competitor on the floor. Mercer Thiessen | 6'5 | MEI | 2027 In the consolation final, Thiessen put up one of the most impressive games I have ever seen from a high school athlete. He dropped 52 points on over 50% efficiency and couldn't be stopped. He has one of the cleanest jumpers from beyond the arc in all of BC, and hit 9 threes in the final game of the tournament and averaged 8 in the final two. At 6’5, he has a clean release that is hard for most defenders to bother, and he takes his time with the shot, keeping the same rhythm regardless of coverage or distance. With such a uniform release, he thrives inside and out as a scorer and has a clean shot even when taking moving shots like a turnaround from the elbow. He has a strong build and a long wingspan that allows him to fight his way to the paint and finish hard through contact. His finishing package around the rim shows real finesse, even when playing through contact the ball always hits the glass with the right spin. He plays with a purpose while he's on the court and moves the ball well. The 50-point game might have been one of the most ethical high-scoring games that I have seen; scoring while also moving the ball and hitting at a high clip. Thiessen can read the court well and always has his head on a swivel. He averaged 4.5 assists over the last two games of the tournament. That scoring output didn’t come at the expense of the rest of his game. Thiessen reads lanes on defence well and puts himself in position to pick off passes. As a defensive player, he has a strong base and stays in front of opponents well, especially smaller guards. He averaged 2.5 steals and 2 blocks per game in the semis and final. Thiessen will play smart and hard for whichever USports program lands him next season.   Other per-game stats from the final two games: 12.5 rebounds Women's All-RIT Team Ella Tatlock | 6'3 | F | MEI | 2027 Tatlock is an elite stretch forward who impacts the game on both ends of the floor. At 6'3, she has a lanky wingspan, a confident handle, and the ability to space the floor well, making her a true inside‑out threat. Tatlock shot 40% from deep over the weekend and averaged 14 ppg. She didn't exclusively score the ball from deep, though. Her court awareness is elite, and she is always looking to find open space, whether that’s an open shot on the perimeter or a roll to the paint down low. She has a great finishing touch inside and seems unbothered by defence or contact, remaining unbothered by contact as she finishes at the rim. She plays with a grit and motor that doesn't often come with high school athletes. Tatlock has a magnet to the ball and always chases for boards, averaging 9 rebounds per game during the RIT. She could rely solely on her size and reach to rebound, but instead consistently creates contact on box‑outs and chases the ball off the rim. That size translates defensively as well, anchoring the paint during MEI’s run to a bronze medal, averaging 2 blocks a game. With a long wingspan, she has a presence on the help side that makes opponents think twice about driving to the rack. The athletic and mobile playstyle that Tatlock has as a big is very hard to find in high school talent. When going up to block shots or driving in for a layup, she’s always in control and looks comfortable and smooth on the court. Tatlock will be a great addition for any program looking for a two-way stretch threat. Ally Tannas | 5'8 | Springbank | 2027 Tannas is a multisport athlete who plays with an elite in-game IQ. The MacEwan soccer commit is a 5'8 guard that can shoot the lights out from deep. She isn’t afraid to pull from deep when given space, even well beyond the arc. She isn't fazed by a couple of misses and plays with confidence as a leader on a younger team. She passes the ball with split-second decision-making and finds teammates who are open even across the court. She might not be the shiftiest guard, but she handles the ball with purpose, keeping her head up and making the right reads without over-dribbling. She controls the tempo and knows when to push the pace or settle her team. Tannas has an eye for finding open space and relocating on the court in order to create looks and lanes for herself and others. She likes to run the offence but doesn’t need the ball in her hands to be effective on the court.  If a teammate is open, she will find them, whether it’s a roller down the lane or someone spotting up from beyond. When given the room, she gets downhill with a purpose and finishes with confidence. She has a skillful finishing package at the rim and can punish defences in a variety of ways. Late in the game, Tannas slowed the game down and scored on some key possessions to keep Springbank within reach. As a leader for the Phoenix, she had a great weekend, not stepping off the court for almost the entire last game. Tannas has the tools and composure to thrive on both the field and the court. Photo courtesy of R3X Visualz Amanda Guss | 5'6 | Western Canada | 2027 After three weeks of being out with an injury, Guss made her debut in the championship game and  immediately made an impact when it mattered most. The UBC commit is a shifty ball handler who makes things happen on the court. She has the ball on a string and moves in and out of traffic like she is in the open court. Her low centre of gravity opens up lanes and  leaves defenders in her dust with one quick crossover or a hesitation. Her finishing at the rim is just as good  as her shot from deep, and she keeps the defence guessing with a variety of offensive weapons. In her first game back, she chipped in 12 points against the Rebels and capitalized on finding open shots from beyond the arc and getting downhill to draw contact. That same control and balance shows up defensively as well. For a smaller guard, she sticks in front of her check like glue. She doesn't need to reach or double to make  opposing guards uncomfortable from baseline to baseline. Her movement on the court is fantastic, and with or without the ball, she knows where to be. She is a leader on the court and knows how to direct traffic out there with or without the ball.  She draws defensive attention and uses it to move the ball, consistently delivering passes on time and in rhythm without forcing anything. Her passing was fantastic in the finals, finishing the game with 9 assists. Guss will be a force at UBC next year and projects as an immediate impact player at the U Sports level. Other stats from the final: 3 rebounds, and 1 steal The Redhawks Invitational delivered two electric finals and a weekend of high-level basketball that will stick with me for a long time. The players highlighted here stood out, but they were just a snapshot of the talent on display throughout the tournament. A big thank you to Western Canada High School for having me out and putting on a tournament that deserves more attention than it gets. I’m already looking forward to being back next season. All final standings, Player of the Game selections, and additional details are listed below. As always, feel free to reach out if you’d like more insight on any of the athletes mentioned or are interested in having me cover your tournament. RIT Website -   https://www.westernrit.ca/ RIT Program -   https://www.westernrit.ca/program My X account -   Harrison Paulichuk (@HPaulichuk) / X My Contact Info - hpaulichuk@gmail.com

What an incredible season for the still-growing league. Over 200 games played by 25 teams over the course of 7 sessions. Teams for all 4 Western provinces travelled to Edmonton, Vancouver, and Calgary to play one another. Most of the teams were filled with prospects in their post graduation year, looking to showcase their skills in front of college scouts. Looking at the rosters, I see at least 60 young men who will be on rosters from the NCAA to USport to the CCAA in the next couple of seasons. The quality of players in this league was on full display during the championship weekend. The platinum division finals both featured WCPA teams taking on CTA teams, and I highly encourage fans and coaches to visit the Dime Sessions YouTube page to watch those, as well as the final. Every player on those rosters should have coaches calling, and at least 3 should be NCAA Division 1 next season, in my opinion. Here is a look at the players that the coaches, along with myself and Harrison Paulichuk picked as standouts this season. MVP Owen Gateretse 6'6 CTA West Red Team Class of 2026 Submitted by Harrison Paulichuk This 6’6 guard has the most complete game out of anyone in Western Canada. He is a lanky, athletic, defensive-minded prospect who can serve as a “utility knife” on any team. He plays hard on both ends of the floor, but his best skill and most transferable one is the multi-positional defensive versatility. He finished the Dime Sessions averaging 17.6/6.3/3.3 with 0.7 blocks. He has played as a guard this season, but can defend 1-4 with great lateral movement and length, locking up even the best ball handlers. One of the most impactful reasons he earned this MVP title was the ability to bother opponents' top scorers. Along with the physical skills, Gateretse's IQ on both ends of the floor always has him in a position to make the right play. As an offensive player, Gateretse is creative with the ball in his hands and can punish defenders in several ways. He has the strength and footwork to drive it hard to the hoop and either finish with finesse or slam it home. His athleticism and balance help him make shots even under heavy contact. When left open, he will punish defenders from deep and can even step off the line to hit shots from way outside, shooting at 36.4% from beyond this season. At the end of the day, though, he does what the team needs. He can be a great passer off the dribble and likes to find teammates in open space. His offensive IQ allows him to move the ball and make the right pass rather than forcing up bad looks. His ability to jump out of the gym is just the cherry on top of an extremely versatile and well-rounded game. He was a great addition to CTA West this season and would be a great fit for any high-level program looking to take a swing at him. 1st Team All Stars (Alphabetical Order) Markez Cain 6'2 CTA Red Team Class of 2026 The first thing that you notice about Markez's game is just how quick he is; he does everything at a high pace, starting with his ability to move the ball up the floor in transition. He uses both the pass and his dribble to find openings before the defense can get back to set up. He is a standout quarterback prospect, and that shows in his play. Markez is a very good shooter from range and needs to be guarded, which sets up his ability to drive and pass efficiently. Defensively, he again uses his quickness and high IQ to force turnovers on the opposition. Rohan Dhanoa 6'4 WCPA National Class of 2026 Rohan can flat-out shoot the ball and needs to be accounted for at all times when he is on the floor for WCPA. He gets his feet set and has a quick release that is hard to guard. He has had multiple games with 5+ 3-point makes. Besides his shot-making ability, Rohan is an excellent defender who can lock down his assignment, limiting some of the game's best players to low efficiency throughout the Dime Sessions. He is a communicator whose defensive instincts help his teammates lock in and stay organized. Zayne Hinkson 6'1 WCPA National Class of 2027 Zayne can score from anywhere, anytime. His ability to knock down shots from deep and also beat defenders off the bounce to get to his spots is as good as anyone I have seen in Western Canada. He is always in control of the game and plays at the pace and with the patience that all coaches look for in their programs. Brayden Savage 6'10 CTA West White Team Class of 2026 Brayden is a true throwback big man who punishes teams on the low block. His willingness to get into the paint, post up, and demand the ball is refreshing to see in the modern game. He looks to finish with power whenever he can, but also has several post counters that make him a tough cover. Defensively, Brayden knows his role and challenges everything that comes at the rim without fouling at a very high rate. When he is switched out to the perimeter, he can move his feet and stay in front of his man. Spencer Tatlock 6'9 CTA Red Team Class of 2026 Spencer has impressed me every time I've seen him play. He is a big man who is extremely athletic and runs the break with great efficiency, routinely beating everyone down the floor for easy buckets. He plays the post well and is very efficient in the dunker spot, finding space and punishing the rim when he gets the ball. He rebounds well outside his area and wants the ball no matter what bounce it may take. Defensively, he can guard the paint and change shots at the rim, but his athleticism also allows him to effectively guard wings and switch out. 2nd Team All Stars Bebang Leke 6'4 Ovis One Prep Class of 2026 Easily the most explosive athlete we had in Dime Sessions this season, not a game went by that he didn't have multiple explosive dunks, whether they were in transition, from a lob pass, or an aggressive take from the wing. He has clearly put time in the gym, as his shot-making has seen incredible improvement; he knocked down 3s last session to put pressure on the defense and has shown he can make a one-dribble pull-up when needed. Bebang is also a willing defender and rebounder who actively impacts the game, no matter what role he is filling for his squad. His recent commitment to York University in Ontario means we will all see his game grow for years to come Anei Majock 6'9 CTA West Red Team Class of 2026 Anei is a match-up nightmare, and I can see why he is getting a lot of recruiting attention. He is a very good shooter, as demonstrated by his 10/15 in a game during Dime Session last month, at 6'9 there are not many defenders that can defend his shot. He is also a great finisher at the rim with a good post game. Defensively, Anei is physical and makes the opposition work for any basket they get. Kom Majok 6'1 WCPA Regional Class of 2026 Another quick, shifty guard that coaches will love. Kom is a 3-level scorer who forces opponents to change their defensive game plans; however, his passing is very good, and you cannot bring any extra help. He has had multiple 20-point, 10-assist games, showing his versatility. Clarence Suter 6'7 WCPA National Class of 2026 Clarence has committed to the University of Manitoba Bison for 2026/27, and they are getting a versatile big man who should impact the team immediately. He has a strong build that allows him to mix it up in the paint both offensively and defensively. He is just as comfortable throwing down a dunk in the paint as he is knocking down 3-pointers. Rashawn Taniskishaynew 6'3 First Nations (FN) Prep Post Grad Rashawn has been a force all season, leading a scrappy group with FN prep. His 47 points during the December session, despite facing many defensive looks, was very much the breakout game of the year. Having to commit to Olds College earlier this month, he will be someone whose motor and skill will be a welcome addition to the ACAC. 3rd Team All Stars Zach Auramenko 6' FV Mountaineers Class of 2026 The Mountaineer guard does it all for his squad and is a true leader on the floor. His ability to score creates mismatches for teams, and he takes every opportunity he can to exploit them. He knocks down the 3 at a very high clip and isn't afraid to challenge bigs inside and get himself to the free-throw line. Agrey Baya 6'6 Athletic Edge Class of 2026 The recent Olds College commit has been a physical force for his team all season. He not only rebounds and finishes tough baskets in the paint, but he also runs the floor extremely well. He stretches the floor with his shot-making and attacks aggressively. Muhammed Omar 6'6 WCPA Regional Post Grad Muhammed is a pick-and-roll monster; he always sets his guards up with a solid screen and then uses his high basketball IQ to roll and get himself into the paint or pop and knock down the 3. He is a player all coaches at the next level should be calling about, as he will fit in nicely at Olds College next season. Omari Wilford 6'5 PSA Prep Black Team Class of 2026 A big guard that is highly skilled, Omari plays with an energy and motor that makes the game easier. He is a 3-level scorer who plays very well at any position on the court. He is always in attack mode and has shown himself to be a good passer that his teammates enjoy playing with. Grady Wilson 6'5 Golden Ticket Class of 2026 Grady has been the glue that holds the Golden Ticket squad together all year. At 6'5, he is the tallest player on their roster, and his willingness to take on defensive matchups is just one of the things that make him a solid prospect. When he gets the ball on the wing, he shows the ability to shoot and drive, making the most of his size and quickness. Honourable Mentions Temi CTA West White Team 6'3 2026 Nash Byum CTA West White Team 6' 2026 Destine Ossai WCPA Regional 6'5 2026 Sarino Blake-Fortugno Golden Ticket 6'3 2026 Cashton Mah Ovis One Prep 6'2 2026 Faisal Shawwa OV Elite 6'5 2026 Josh Berg Athletic Edge 6'1 2026 Vince Longmuir FV Mountaineers 6'5 2026 Kierin Weinberger PSA Prep Black 6' 2026 Azariah Bumhira UPlay Scholastic 6'2 2028 Daniel Rom Legacy 6'5 2027 Nathan Merkel United Prep 6'8 2026 Jacob Moore PSA Gold 6'1 2026 Markus Kysilyuk DElite 6'2 2028 Coach of the Year Stephen Shields Golden Ticket What a year it has been for Coach Shields. He has led his scrappy squad from Saskatchewan to the 5 seed in the platinum division behind a 10-game winning streak over the past 3 Sessions. He has a group of players who are undersized to buy into the program and compete every time they step on the floor. He has done all this while balancing admin responsibilities for Golden Ticket, coaching a top-10 Saskatchewan high school team, and, this summer, being named Head Coach of the Saskatchewan U17 team at nationals. Honourable Mentions Lee Reckman CTA West Red Team Daniel Stonechild FN Basketball Stephen Kent WCPA Regional

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) 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.

Season 4 of the Dime Sessions has been fun through the first 4 sessions, and the competition and talent level have been great to watch. 23 teams have participated so far, and with 2 sessions remaining (Jan 16-18 in Edmonton and Feb 6-8 in Calgary), here are the standings. 1. CTA Red (7-0) 1.000 2. WCPA Regional (6-0) 1.000 3. CTA Black (2-0) 1.000 4. CTA White (9-1) 0.900 5. Supreme (7-1) 0.875 6. WCPA National (4-1) 0.800 7. Regina JV (3-1) 0.750 8. Drive Red (2-1) 0.666 9. Drive White (2-1) 0.666 10. One Prep Ovis (7-4) 0.636 11. Golden Ticket (7-5) 0.583 12. FV Mountaineers (4-3) 0.571 13. OV Elite (5-4) 0.555 14. Athletic Edge (6-7) 0.462 15. FN (4-6) 0.400 16. United Prep (4-10) 0.286 17. DElite (2-5) 0.286 18. PSA Regional/Gold (2-6) 0.250 19. PSA Postgard/Black (1-3) 0.250 20. UPlay Scholastic (1-3) 0.250 21. Legacy (1-7) 0.125 22. Calgary Impact (0-6) 0.000 23. Blacktop (0-4)    0.000 With just 2 sessions remaining, here is a look at some of the 2026 and postgrad players that post-secondary coaches will want to see. This is just a glimpse of players that have caught my eye in the first 4 sessions. I recommend seeing all the CTA and WCPA teams play, as each has a full roster of players who will need homes and can impact college teams at all levels. (2026) 6'2 Bailey Assembe CTA West White Bailey is an athletic guard who excels in transition and is most effective when going downhill. He has a college-ready build and the ability to finish through contact. He is a good shooter from deep and currently has some interest from USport and CCAA programs. (2026) 6'5 Agrey Baya Athletic Edge Agrey is an extremely active player who makes plays at both ends of the floor. He has the skill set to aggressively rebound the ball and take it himself through traffic and finish. He plays through contact and is ready to make the leap to the CCAA next season. (2026) 6' Koeloe Bigplume United Prep Koeloe is another quick point guard who moves the ball well and makes opposing guards work on offense. He has a good range and will be a player CCAA coaches will want to watch. (2026) 6' Nash Byam CTA West White Nash is a quick guard who makes solid plays and will make defenses pay with his ability to knock down shots from everywhere on the floor. He is an opportunistic defender who disrupts opposing guards. He will be a great fit for the USport or CCAA program that takes a chance on him. (2026) 6'1 Markez Cain CTA West Red For anyone who hasn't seen Markez, you are missing out on seeing a great point guard and leader who will be an impact player in USports. He competes and leads his CTA team in a manner similar to Munroop Gill's approach last year, and he has been very successful. He is quick and smart, and it is clear he is also a high-level quarterback prospect. (2026) 6'5 Rohan Dhanoa WCPA National Rohan can shoot the ball as well as anyone I have seen this year at the Dime Sessions. He is a great on-ball defender and makes plays for his teammates. USport, D2, and JuCo colleges should all be taking a hard look. (Postgrad) 5'10 Rogan Fry Golden Ticket Rogan has developed into a point guard who leads and puts his teammates in great positions to succeed. He knocks down open shots and will be a strong depth piece for a CCAA program. (Postgrad) 6'2 Sarino Fortugno-blake Golden Ticket Sarino's game has continued to grow, and he has worked hard on his strength and conditioning to prepare for an opportunity in USport or the CCAA. He plays a smart game and attacks defenses. Last session, he had a couple of massive dunks that show how much his game has changed. (2026) 6' Hunter Furlong Athletic Edge Hunter is a very good shooter who sets his feet and finds an opening. He is a smart teammate and will be an asset for a CCAA team that needs more shooting. (2026) 6'6 Owen Gateretse CTA West Red Owen has demonstrated that he impacts the game in many ways and will fit in well with the right coach. At 6'6, he can guard 4 positions and is comfortable doing a lot of different things on the offensive end. I think he could fit in nicely at D2 or USport, and think some D1 programs may want to take a long look as well. (2026) 6'1 Cyrus Goulder Athletic Edge Cyrus has demonstrated incredible athleticism through the first 4 sessions and uses it to score effectively from all 3 levels. He is a good defender who makes the game easier for his teammates. USport, CCAA, and JuCo coaches will want to take a closer look and check in. (2026) 6' Max Harris WCPA Regional Max is another great shooter in the WCPA program. He has showcased excellent movement off the ball to get to his spots and be available for teammates. His defensive effort is consistent and high-level. USport and CCAA coaches need to take a hard look at Max. (2026) 6'4 Bebang Leke One Prep Ovis Bebang is one of the best athletes in the Dime Sessions and draws significant attention when he plays, typically recording a couple of highlight dunks each game. His game continues to improve, as his range has expanded, and he has a solid handle that allows him to attack from the perimeter. He continues to draw interest from USport, D2, and JuCo programs. (2026) 6'1 Cashton Mah One Prep Ovis Cashton is a strong guard with very good athleticism and basketball IQ who consistently makes plays for his teammates. He looks to pass first and is an above-average defender who communicates and keeps his team organized. He has interest from multiple levels and will be an excellent pick-up. (2026) 6'1 Kom Majok WCPA Regional Describing Kom as quick and athletic is an understatement. He scores at all three levels and gets to and above the rim with regularity. He is a significantly improved playmaker who sets up his teammates by pushing the pace and creating turnovers on defense. JuCo and USport coaches will want to take a hard look at Kom. (2026) 6'9 Nathan Markel United Prep Nathan is an athletic big man who moves well up and down the floor. He is an active rebounder who has good footwork. He protects the rim and changes shots. CCAA coaches looking for size will love this prospect. (2026) 6'5 Mukungu Mutabazi WCPA National Mukungu has a game that evolves with each session. He has a good feel for the game, gets to the rim extremely well, and has great size for a guard. His defensive game is evolving and and he has multi-positional versatility. USport, D2, and JuCo's will all want to check in with him. (2026) 6'2 Jude Ocon FV Mountaineers Jude has strong physicality in his game and isn't afraid to attack the paint and finish at a high rate. He has shown a high motor every time he steps on the floor, and despite being in several games with a short-handed team, he plays hard at all times. He has been talking with USport and CCAA coaches. (2026) 6'6 Oscar Rouillard WCPA National Oscar is a versatile 3-level scorer who has defensive versatility. He has consistently been one of the top shooters in Dime Session. He is another of the many players on WCPA that all levels of coaches should be calling about. (2026) 6'11 Brayden Savage CTA West White Brayden is a true big man who plays his size in the paint. He fights for position, seals off defenders, and has a variety of moves to score the ball. He is willing to fight for rebounds and is a presence on defense. He is getting looks from D1, D2, and USport. Coaches will all want him on their roster next year. (PostGrad) 6'2 Rashawn Tanishayinwe FN Rashawn is a player whose performance becomes more apparent the more you watch. He has put up some huge games over the first 4 sessions, but they are all due to his ability to out-hustle and outwork everyone else. He will make a CCAA coach very happy next year and will make an impact. (2026) 6'10 Spencer Tatlock CTA West Red Spencer is a unique recruit at 6'10 with a high motor and ability to play inside and out. I am impressed by his defensive competitiveness, perimeter guarding, and rim protection. Another prospect attracting D2 and USports attention. (Postgrad) 6'1 Ty Thomson Regina JV Ty made an impact in his debut at the dime session with his high motor and physical play. He scored well in the mid-range, knowing exactly what spots he wanted to get to and using his body to get there. CCAA coaches seeking a tough leader should contact Ty. (2026) 6'5 Grady Wilson Golden Ticket Grady is another player whose best skill is his effort level. He rebounds, plays defense, and can shoot the ball, and will be a very good wing player in the CCAA, but his ability to do the work and do the work in the paint for his undersized Golden Ticket team speaks to his mentality and character. These are just a few of the many players coaches will want to monitor over the last 2 sessions. As I mentioned in the opening, there are at least 25-30 more players I could easily have profiled, all of whom need homes from Division 1 down to the CCAA level. All games are broadcast live on YouTube at @TheDimeSessions, and there is an archive of all sessions from this season. I am available to discuss any players. Just message me @david_harmon on X and @davidharmoncoach on Instagram. If you are attending the sessions, feel free to introduce yourself, and I will try to lead you to the players you will want to see.

It is our favorite time of the year in Saskatchewan hoops again - BRIT. Last year's tournament was exciting, and looking back, it will be hard to top. Three teams went on to win their provincial titles - St. FX in Alberta, Holy Cross in Saskatchewan, and Kildonan East in Manitoba- and multiple players have moved on to play for very prestigious prep schools this season. This year is shaping up to be just as special. The committee at BRIT spends a significant amount of time ensuring that they have the right schools and that the level of play meets the standards set by the first 55 years. So with that said, let's take a look at the teams. Bedford Road Redhawks (Saskatoon, SK) This is a year of change for The Redhawks. Coach Scott McHenry takes the reins from Eric Fahie, and the Saskatoon legend will be looking to keep his squad out of the '8:00 a.m. special' on Saturday morning for another year. They have struggled with a 4-8 record to start this season, but have had some solid games at both tournaments they have played. (2027) 5'10 Abu Ahmad, (2027) 6'1 Abdulah Zahid, and (2027) 6'3 Parker Bond are the leaders for the Redhawks and will be looking to win on their home court. Dakota Lancers (Winnipeg, MB) Making their first appearance at BRIT, this program has been a powerhouse in Winnipeg for the last several years, and it appears they will be once again. They have only played at the Brandon Sun Spartan Invitational (BSSI) and took home the championships, beating a lot of very strong teams along the way, and it appears they will be the team to beat in the province this year. (2027) 6'5 Daniel Rom is a smooth player who will be garnering a lot of attention from coaches this season, especially after a successful run with Team Manitoba at the Canada Games. (2028) Conner Joubert and (2028) Alex Jean are key contributors that colleges will want to watch this week as well. St Joseph Guardians (Saskatoon, SK) Coming into the season looking to build upon last year's Hoopla semifinal appearance, The Guardians have struggled to a 2-8 record. They started with a 2-2 record at the Mike Dea Classic in Edmonton, but then injuries and other factors led them to a winless streak in league play, as well as at their home tournament. Coach Paul Hansen will need the break to be kind to his injured players, especially (2027) 6'5 Mayo Alabi and (2027) 6'1 Kaden MacAngus. If the 2 Grade 12s can play to their potential and be joined by (2029) 6'0 Fidel Linantud, they may make a run. Collingwood Cavaliers (West Vancouver, BC) Preview by Harrison Paulichuk - Alberta-based Scout for The Maple Minute Collingwood is one of two BC teams heading to the BRIT from Vancouver. One of the most exciting teams from out west to start this season, Collingwood is a 2A school that has competed at several 3A/4A tournaments already this season and has not only held their ground, but stood out. They made the finals of the No Regrets Tournaments and upset the #7-ranked 4A St. George's to get there. They like to play fast and score both from the perimeter and inside off the break. With a star-studded coaching staff, including a former UBC lead assistant, they always find a way to utilize the talent on their roster, and it is showing already this season. The standouts on this squad are led by their lead 6’3 guard, Harry Bell (2027). He has good footwork to get to the rim and can score the ball well down the lane. Making him a dual offensive threat, he can step out and has a solid shot from the perimeter. The other two that will be ones to watch on this squad are Jake McAdam (2027) and Elliot McNeil (2027). McAdam is an undersized 6’3 athletic big that plays scrappy down low and has a variety of ways to score and punish mismatches. McNeil stood out as the counterpart guard next to Bell and lit it up at the No Regrets tournament. This will be a squad to monitor and not underestimate. Sir Winston Churchill Bulldogs (Calgary, AB) Preview by Harrison Paulichuk - Alberta-based Scout for The Maple Minute The Bulldogs are coming into this year with a younger squad, aiming to rebuild and reload for the future. Once the Calgary squad got its feet under them, it ended 2025 with an impressive 4-1 start in the Prairie City Division, sitting in fourth. They have a team led by their two Team Alberta athletes, but play a well-rounded game for the most part. They like to push the pace and score in transition, getting a bucket before the defense has set up. Their players to keep an eye on from the U15 provincial team a couple of years back will be Colten Siebold (2028) and Ashton Leung (2028). Siebold is a 6’4 lanky forward who can shoot the ball and get to his spots. He is crafty with the ball and uses his size to finish over top of defenses well. Leung is a 6’1 guard who has incredible touch. Whether he is shooting from deep with a clean release or kissing the ball of the glass, he has good composure on the court. Both players play a confident game and can take turns trading buckets. If they are rolling, this will be a tough duo to stop. Walter Murray Maurauders (Saskatoon, SK) The 2024 BRIT Champions will look a little different this year as (2027) 6'1 Zach Hawley is no longer with the team, but they expect the results to be the same. The #2-ranked team in Saskatchewan comes in with an 8-5 record, having faced some great competition this year, and may be the most ready team for the competition. Their losses include Holy Cross three times in league play and exhibition, Kelowna, and Vancouver College, both at the REB tourney in Edmonton. (2027) 6' Isak Larsen has taken the reins at both ends of the floor and is averaging close to 10 assists per game. (2028) 6'1 Andrew Hawley, (2027) 6'0 Mouad Etagiuru, and (2029) 6'0 Lucas Hawley have all proven to be incredibly reliable shooters, keeping the Mauraders as the same high-tempo, shooting team we have come to know. Magrath Zeniths (Magrath, AB) The Zeneiths will make their second appearance at BRIT, having made their first appearance in 2025. They come in looking very good, ranked #5 in Alberta, but also coming off a Sugar Bowl tournament win where they beat #2 Scona, #4 Harry Ainley, and #10 Medicine Hat en route to the championship. With a 9-1 record, they will be looking at a run for a BRIT and provincial title. Coach Chris Steed will look to (2027) 6'5 Eli Steed to use last year's experience to lead his group, and I am sure every college coach will be tuning in to his games. (2027) 6' Seth Harding runs the team efficiently and plays with a reckless abandon that is a coach's dream. Every player on this team knows their role and executes at a very high level, making them a team to watch. Carlton Crusaders (Prince Albert, SK) Making just their second appearance at BRIT, the Crusaders are looking to make a run. They entered the season as my #1 team in Saskatchewan; however, their inconsistent play has led to a 9-3 record and a drop to #10. (2027) 6'4 Emerson MacCuaig has gone to work all season and forced teams to focus on him, and that has drawn the attention of several college programs. A lingering football injury has limited (2027) 6'2 Zane Litzenberger so far, but I expect the Christmas break will have helped him, and he returns to the form he showed this summer as Team Saskatchewan's leading scorer at the Canada Games. If they can also get consistent performances from (2027) 6'7 Clarence Ermskin and (2027) 5'10 Everitt Moccasin-Burke, they will be a tough out. Holy Cross Crusaders (Saskatoon, SK) They have not played many games yet to open the season, but the defending Provincial champions and BRIT finalists of the last two years do look like the team to beat in Saskatchewan this year. With an 8-0 record and the GIT tournament championship already secured, they are desperate to bring home the championship trophy that has eluded them since 2004. (2027) 6'2 Raph Mutungolo has drawn a lot of attention from college coaches, and it is easy to see why schools want a defense-first player who makes life difficult for opponents. (2028) Lucian Tyson is a microwave that scores from anywhere and possesses an extremely high basketball IQ. (2027) 6'5 Daniel Solarin has been a revelation for the Crusaders, and (2030) 5'11 Syn Tyson and (2030) 6'6 Paul Peterson are only going to keep improving. Carson Graham Eagles (North Vancouver, BC) Preview by Harrison Paulichuk - Alberta-based Scout for The Maple Minute Carson Graham is the second of two BC schools participating in the BRIT this year from Vancouver. They are in a rebuilding year this season and look to settle in the middle of the pack at 3A. This will be their first big tournament of the year, so it will be intriguing to see if they can come out and make a name for themselves. They will be led by their point guard, Harvee Perez (2028). A combo guard who can score in bunches and is likely set to run the show for this team. He is crafty with the ball and can get to his spots with ease to find a clean release. Whoever can step up and show out at the BRIT this year for Graham will be an interesting story to follow. Martin Monarchs (Regina, SK) This will be Martin's 2nd appearance at BRIT, and they are looking to bring a trophy back to Regina for the first time since 2015. They are off to a solid start to their season with a 9-3 record and look to be the top team in Regina and a solid #3 ranked in Saskatchewan. They have already won their home tournament and finished 3-2 at the Brandon Sun Spartan Invitational (BSSI). (2027) 6'1 Zach Zaiser and (2027) 6'0 Judah Frentz have provided the Monarchs with solid leadership and helped coach Rob Thomson bring along the numerous players moving up this year. Their key is the play of (2028) 5'8 Kobe Thomson, who plays with a pace and IQ well beyond his years and will be looking to make a statement on the big stage that is BRIT. Maples Marauders (Winnipeg, MB) Maples like Dakota have not played in many games yet this season, finishing 3rd in their home tourney and winning 2 league games before the Christmas break. Their only loss is to Churchill, who will be a top 3 team when the Manitoba rankings are released. This is the Marauders' first-ever trip to BRIT, and I can not wait to see their reaction to all that goes with it. Coach Scott Kirkpatrick has 8 players returning from last year's squad that was ranked top 5 at the end of the season, and will be drawing players from a junior squad that brought home a provincial title. The squad is led by (2027) 6'5 Andrey Yamborko, a skilled grade 12 who will be drawing a lot of college coaches' eyes this season. Fellow grade 12s (2027) Pritpal Uppal and (2027) TJ Mabilangan will be key to them advancing far in BRIT, but it is (2029) Veer Brar that I am excited to see in person following his electric performances for Manitoba at the U15 national championships this summer. This year's tournament will be a great one, and I strongly encourage coaches and players to tune in and enjoy. They do an amazing job with their YouTube channel and livestreaming every game. I will be in attendance at the entire tournament and available for colleges looking for more info on players. Now, for what do I think will happen: Dakota will take home the crown in their 1st ever BRIT appearance, marking the first time since 1989 a Manitoba squad has won. Magrath will emerge from their half of the draw but come up just short The game of the tournament could happen on Friday between Holy Cross and Maples, with the Dakota - Collingwood game also being a great game.

We have reached the Christmas break at Saskatchewan High School, and the first month of basketball action has been very telling. When I said anything could happen in the initial rankings, well, I was proven right very quickly, and you will see why as I roll out the update #1 Holy Cross Collegiate Crusaders (Saskatoon, SK) (8-0) Previously #4 They have looked like the defending provincial champs right from the start, which is impressive considering they only have 2 players who actually were with the team last season. They breezed through the Guardian Invitational Tournament (GIT), beating up three teams that are all ranked below. They will be incredibly fun to watch after Christmas, as we will see them play at BRIT and the Western Canada Basketball Tournament in Kelowna, BC, which is always filled with highly ranked teams as well. (2027) 6'5 Daniel Solarin has been a presence for them, and their young players have all stepped up and are playing as they belong. #2 Walter Murray Mauraders (Saskatoon, SK) (8-5) Previously #7 They have been tested early with a tough schedule and have looked good. They have already met up with Holy Cross 3 times, including the GIT semi-finals. They also had a strong showing at the loaded REB tourney in Edmonton, losing to two top-5 BC teams in Kelowna and Vancouver College. You may have heard this before, but they are very dangerous from beyond the arc with multiple shooters that hit at a high clip, led by (2028) 6'1 Andrew Hawley. #3 Martin Collegiate Monarchs (Regina, SK) (9-3) Previously #3 Regina has been tough to evaluate as they haven't seen too many matchups between the top teams yet this year. Martin won their home tournament to start the year and also headed out to Brandon for the Brandon Sun Spartan Invitational, where they lost 2 games to what should be top 10 Manitoba teams (Manitoba starts very late, so we don't have much info for how teams match up there), Vincent Masse from Brandon, and Vincent Massey from Winnipeg. They also lost a league game to Sheldon Williams, which may be something to note, but I am giving them the benefit of the doubt at this point as no one has stood out as the team in Regina. (2028) Kobe Thomson has gotten out to a great start and has been the leader of this squad with multiple 20-point games. #4 Miller Mauraders (Regina, SK) (5-3) Previously #6 Another team from Regina that has looked very good and has a legitimate argument for being the top team in the city. They suffered a loss to a Riffel team that has struggled since that opening game, but wins over Campbell and Leboldus more than show where they belong. They also ventured to Edmonton to play in Ross Shep's Totem Classic, where they went 1-2 but played a great game against the #2 team in Alberta, the Strathcona Lords, and also lost to always tough Cardston. (2027) 6' Josh Kabongo has gotten off to a strong start, having some very good games in Edmonton. #5 Bishop James Mahoney High School Saints (Saskatoon, SK) (8-3) Previously - Unranked The first of the teams that I did not have ranked in the preseason, Coach Bret Hardy has this team rolling early, as they won BOWLT to open the season and then headed to Medicine Hat, where they went 2-1, losing to the #9-ranked Medicine Hat High. They have looked very good in early league play with losses to only Murray and Cross. This team is young and led by (2028) 6'2 Owen Cook and (2029) 6'2 Taylor Grant, both looking to score the ball from all 3 levels. #6 Bethlehem High School Stars (Saskatoon, SK) (10-2) Previously - Unranked Now, the biggest surprise of the year so far. No one saw this team coming, and they have been impressive so far; however, they are in the B pool in Saskatoon and have not had to play the top teams in regular-season play, but that will change after Christmas. They had a great game in the BOWLT final but came up short to BJM, and were very good at GIT, knocking off Leboldus in the semis before losing to Holy Cross in the finals. Returning (2027) 5'8 Adam Macandog, who played at Orangeville Prep in Ontario last season, and (2027) 6'3 Sowka Tombe led this team's high-powered and high-octane attack. Coach Scott Fernquist looks to grab one of the 2 coveted Hoopla spots for Saskatoon and may just do it. #7 Campbell High School Tartans (Regina, SK) (4-4) Previously #8 Campbell has been very hard to place so far this season, as they have not been able to get all 3 of their big players onto the floor at the same time consistently because of injuries. They started league play with a big win over Riffel, but have also had losses to Martin and Miller. They ventured to Medicine Hat for their first tourney and went 1-2 with losses to Medicine Hat. High (Alberta 5A #9) and Brooks (Alberta 3A #1). They were scheduled to play Leboldus before the break, but the snowstorm postponed that game, which would have told me a lot about the team for these rankings. #8 Michael A. Riffel High School Royals (Regina, SK) (4-4) Previously #5 It has been an up-and-down start for Riffel and Coach Shields; they have quality wins over Miller and Leboldus, but a loss to Campbell as well in league play. Their other games came at the BSSI in Brandon, where they finished 2-3, playing some tough competition from Winnipeg with losses to Oak Park, Miles Mac, and River East, and wins over Garden Valley and MBCI. They have played the entire season without guard (2028) 6' Rayce Shaw, who may be back before the playoffs, but it seems Riffel has some work to do to secure one of the 3 Regina Hoopla spots. #9 Central Cyclones (Moose Jaw, SK) (6-3) Previously - Unranked Not including Central in my initial rankings was probably very short-sighted, as they are the 5-time defending 4A boys champions, and their program just keeps rolling players through the system. Coach Kris Temple will continue to work with this younger team to improve and grow after the break. (2027) 6'4 Suliman Suliman has looked very good so far this season. The athletic prospect creates mismatches and makes an impact on the game. #10 Carlton Crusaders (Prince Albert, SK) (8-3) Previously #1 They have taken a tumble down the rankings as maybe I had too high hopes for them to start the season. They have done a good job of beating the teams they need to, but losses to Murray, Holy Cross, and Central show they still have work to do. A very good win against Prince Albert Rival St Mary's keeps them in the rankings and looking like he favorite of one of the 3 rural spots for Hoopla. (2027) 6'4 Emerson MacCuaig has been his usual beast in the paint and added a consistent outside shot to his game, but will need (2027) 6'1 Zane Litzenberger to fully heal from his ankle injury over the break for them to work their way back up the rankings Teams to watch St Mary's (Prince Albert, SK) (8-2) Aden Bowman Bears (Saskatoon, SK) (6-3) Leboldus Golden Suns (Regina, SK) (7-4) Previosuly #10 I hope everyone has a great holiday break and gets some rest before we begin the sprint to Hoopla. We will get some answers, hopefully, as the league play in Regina and Saskatoon sees the top teams face off more often. We also have some loaded tournaments like BRIT, MIT, CIT, and Crosstown that will all see these teams play each other more. I look forward to seeing more games and will hopefully be able to update these rankings at the end of January, going into the playoff stretch

Written by Harrison Paulichuk Thirty hours in Jasper Place gym this past weekend wasn’t enough. The Rebels Early Bird tournament—now in its 42nd year—remains one of Western Canada’s premier basketball events. This was my third year covering the senior boys' side of the event, and I loved every minute of it. The 12-team draw tipped off with a TSN-featured dunk contest winner and delivered three days of high-level competition among some of Canada’s top high school programs. The draw included a top 3 team from NS, two top 10 teams from BC, a top SK team, and the top two teams in AB. All teams fought hard to be the ones to hoist the final championship trophy, but only one could prevail. I wanted to extend a huge congratulations to the St FX Rams out of Edmonton for coming out on top of an event that could've been anyone’s. I am so appreciative to say that I was a part of this tournament from the opening ceremonies to the final whistle. Welcome to my REB highlights—packed with standout performances and future prospects. I highlight the fifteen players that stood out most to me and sort them across three different teams. There will be an All-REB First Team, including the five best players I saw across the tournament and the MVP. This is followed by the All-REB Second Team, which includes the next best players in the tournament who stood out. Finally, there will be an All REB ‘Got Next’ Team that includes the best young prospects in the tournament. Choosing these teams was not an easy process, and there were plenty of exciting performances that I had to leave out. Selections were based solely on in-tournament performance, not reputation or outside play. I highlighted some solid single-game performances on my X account (@HPaulichuk) outside of the article as well, but to make the article, an athlete needed to stand out to me throughout the entire tournament. I did not count players out if their team performed poorly in the tournament, and alternately, did not give special praise to a player's game if their team did well. A player is more than the outcome of their team, and this article is made to celebrate individual athletes. There are three main things that I look for in player performances.  First and foremost, I need to see some kind of defensive ability. If a player can put up 20+ points a game but would let up just as many breakdowns on the other end, they didn't deserve to make my list. The second thing I keep in mind is consistency within an athlete's role. If I'm highlighting an athlete as a shooter, I need to see them doing this effectively and at a high clip. If they had a couple of bursts of scoring, then went cold for two quarters straight, it wouldn't move my needle. The third and final factor that I watch is the little things that an athlete does on and off the court. Were they boxing out for every shot? Talking on defense? Cheering and being a part of the team on the bench? These are just a few of the little things that athletes can do to catch my attention and earn looks from post-secondary coaches. These little things can make or break an athlete's recruitment, and I’ve seen it go both ways when talking to coaches. With that in mind, let’s dive into the first group of athletes. All-REB First Team The five athletes who were talented enough to earn a spot on the All-REB First Team were the best of the best all weekend. They made an impact on both team and individual performance and excelled in several different areas. These athletes are all talented in their own way, but were equally as impactful for their teams. These guys all played both ends of the ball at a high level. The first player on the list is the tournament MVP. The next four are the remaining first-team members listed alphabetically by last name.                                                                             Photo courtesy of Graeme Kelly #13 | Prabhshan Dhaliwal | 6'5 | G | Strathcona | 2027 For the first time in covering REB, my tournament MVP was not from the championship team. The bronze medal game featured arguably the tournament’s best individual performance. Prabhshan Dhaliwal from Strathcona will be one of the top scorers in Edmonton this year. The 6'5 senior has a lanky build and a high release point that allows him to get a shot off with hardly any space. He was pulling up from far beyond the arc confidently and draining shots all weekend. Even with the defense smothering him, his release stayed consistent, and he seemed unfazed. He chose to take it straight into the teeth of the defense, comfortably getting up into his shot. When he was in the paint, he went to a small turnaround jumper time and time again and made it look as easy as a layup. His abilities look unorthodox, and he moves at a much slower pace than most athletes, but the numbers don't lie, and he can flat-out score the ball. His footwork is good enough to get to his spots and simply rise up or fade into a bucket. His three-point shot is where he made his money, and is deadly at his size. He caught fire in the final game and couldn’t miss from the perimeter. Every time the shot clock wound down, Scona would just give him the ball, whether he was at the line or five feet back, and it looked like a cheat code. His most underrated skill was his defense. While he may not have been the quickest defender on the court, Dhaliwal was able to use his size to block shots. There were several times when he would end up in the paint on defense, where he used his length to shut down both smaller guards and bigs by blocking their tries at the rim. Knowing when to reach for the stuff block and when to use his length to just contest the shot bothered whoever tried to score on Dhaliwal. This guy is the definition of utilizing your skillset to the best of your abilities and showing up when it matters. #3 | Bol Bol | 6'6 | G/F | St. Mary's | 2027 The first one out of Calgary on this team and maybe one of the best athletes in his city this season. Bol Bol, coming out of St. Mary's, is a 6'6 G/F with a solid build. Bol is an athlete who controls the tempo of the game and finds his teammates well. He has a great offensive IQ and doesn't force anything. Even if he can create a look to score, he would rather move the ball to find a better look for his teammates with a very unselfish and team first attitude. He plays a leadership role on St. Mary’s and likes to keep everyone in the game. His passing is crisp, and he can move the ball well when on the move. He is comfortable with his team and can read the court to find them, no matter where the defenses are set. That doesn't mean that he isn’t able to get his as a bucket getter, though. As a scorer, Bol is a force down the lane with the rim in his sights. He uses his strength and big frame to create space down low. His footwork and craftiness down the lane are impressive. His shot from all three levels is very clean for his size. He can knock down open threes on the perimeter and make defences pay for giving him space. His mid-range is especially tough when he gets into his bag down the lane and pulls up on a dime at the elbow. Every time a shot went up, he was the first one crashing the glass. He is a hard-nosed rebounder who fights for every ball he gets a hand on. Whether he was grabbing a defensive rebound by boxing out and creating contact or sliding past weak coverage for the offensive board. He was a fantastic rebounder for a player who stuck mostly on the perimeter. An elite athlete and utility knife for his squad at the highest level. #4 | Ollie Nadeau | 6'4 | G | Armbrae Academy | 2027 Let’s look to the Maritimes for the next athlete, coming out of Nova Scotia. Ollie Nadeau from Armbrae Academy dazzled in the dunk contest and caught everyone's attention after jumping over a standing teammate for the slam. At 6'4 this was an impressive show of athleticism, and highlights just one of his skills that stood out during the REB. Ollie plays with an athletic and defense-first style of play. He can score the ball at an elite level from the perimeter and needs hardly any space. He hit an and-one three for the first points of his second game and landed on a foot on his way down. He came back to that same game in the second and proceeded to drop 44 in OT. His shot form is clean and can be spread out anywhere on the court, from the midrange to far off the three-point arc. His scoring abilities don't stop there, and being a very confident ball handler, Nadeau likes to take the ball to the rack searching for contact. He knows when he has enough space to finish through traffic, and if he doesn’t, he will still push his way through and earn his points at the line instead. Although his offensive game was impressive, I believe that he will earn his play time at the next level through his defensive presence. He was one of the best defenders I watched play all weekend at the REB. He uses a  lanky build and court vision to close off lanes and poke the ball loose when ball handlers try to go past him. Even if he couldn't get the ball, his lateral movement and ball pressure would slow down ball handlers into coughing up a turnover or forcing a bad pass, after which he would be the first one up the court on the break. With his bounce that was displayed in the dunk contest and a strong defensive presence, Nadeau was able to swat shots at a high level as well when people would try to drive around him. A dominant personality on the court and confidence from playing for Team Canada will help this guy perform at the next level with ease.                                                                           Photo courtesy of Ludwig Bernardo #3 | Elijah Thomas | 5'10 | PG |  St. FX | 2027  One of the best guards in Alberta, standing at 5'11, is Elijah Thomas from St. FX. He's an extremely confident two-way guard who plays with the same hustle and grit that all the Rams do. One of the most confident ball handlers I've seen come out of the city, he runs the offence like a well-oiled machine. He uses this same handle to break down defenses and find his shots. His shot IQ matches his shot making ability perfectly, and he always seems to be able to make the right reads on the defense and find his spots or teammates left open. He has great pace control and reads the defense well, using a few dribble moves to break free and work his magic. His shot from deep has improved this year and is straight-up deadly. He can hit from on the line and even take a few steps off and still shoots the ball confidently. The new skill I saw exemplified this weekend actually had nothing to do with shooting, but instead was his passing. He was making reads off the dribble and reacting instantly. Whether it was down the lane, finding the open roller, or the dish to an open teammate across the court. His passes were all right on target and right on time, finding players as soon as they had an inch of space to work with. His passing was visible not just off the dribble, but while he was driving to the basket with a full head of steam, he could make one-handed passes with either the left or the right. His play is one of the reasons his team won the finals, and he earned himself the Jasper Place selected MVP. Most smaller guards struggle with defense and switches, but not Thomas. He moves extremely well laterally and can stay in front of even the best ball handlers with ease. He makes it look easy, but he is still giving it his all every time he steps out onto the court. This is an athlete who is going to play his absolute hardest every time he steps onto the court.  #23 | Ashton Wong |6'4 | G | Vancouver College | 2027 Now looking at the west coast for the final first team member is Ashton Wong from Vancouver College. At 6'4, this lanky guard has the build of an athlete who is ready for the next level. He moves with discipline on the court that comes out in several different ways. He has a combination of elite lateral movement and a fantastic defensive IQ that helps to anchor his team on the defensive end. He can guard the 1 through 4 and switch with ease on the fly. He knows the right time to cheat off for the steal and to double team both on and off-ball. As a point of attack defender, his motor doesn’t stop. He has a strong build, but moves very light on his feet, and laterally he can stay with anyone on the court. He processes the game at high speeds, and it's evident that he has played at the provincial level with Team BC. He plays with confidence when the ball is in his hands and can score from all three levels. He doesn’t score in a flashy way but always takes the best looks. He scores at his own pace and uses strength to take the ball downhill and get to the rim. When defence is clogging the paint, he has a nice fadeaway in his bag, and he can hit this shot at a high clip. It’s hard to stop him down low, though, as he finishes high above the rim, using his length to keep the ball out of reach of any defenders. His athleticism and explosiveness make him a hard guard at the rim. Defenses have to stay true on him, though, because if you give him any space, that's a bucket you can’t get back. His shot is clean and works from anywhere on the court, especially inside, where he likes to make his money. An elite-level scorer who can guard with a motor that doesn’t stop. That sounds like I am describing the perfect prospect, but it's just how Wong plays. All-REB Second Team The All-REB Second Team features five athletes who delivered standout performances and ranked among the tournament’s top ten. Each player showed elite skill and resilience in one of the toughest high school environments to shine—Jasper Place during the REB.  These five athletes proved they belong among the best at REB, and each has the tools to make an impact at the next level. As far as skill level goes, on any given day, these athletes have the talent to outshine one another. These are all listed in alphabetical order by last name.  #3 | Mayen Atem | 6'5 | G | All Saints | 2027 The first player on this team made the REB ‘Got Next’ Team last year and has clearly made the jump he needed to over the past year. Mayen Atem from All Saints in Calgary is a lanky, two-way guard. The 6'5 Keyano commit came into the REB this year as the leader on a younger team and truly stood out. Since last year, his game has drastically improved, and he was a visible number one option at the point of attack on the court this year. He moves well and can smother guards on the perimeter with his long reach and quick feet. He can be a lock-up guy and take tough defensive targets willingly. Atem thrives at being the best defender on the court and can anticipate the opponent's moves to grab steals on ball. On the other end, he is versatile offensively, but his handle and his footwork with the ball are the two things that tie his game together. His handle is shifty when sizing up on the perimeters, and it doesn’t take much for him to slither his way to the rim. He made himself a hard defensive stop and never settled when he had the ball in his hands. When he got to his spots, his footwork helped free him up in the paint and made scoring look effortless. He has a deep bag down the lane and frees himself up with moves like a shifty euro step, an elite paint fadeaway, and a handful of finishing moves at the rim to score the ball creatively when defended. Even when his offense isn't rolling, his defense stays consistent and carries his game. Atem thrives at keeping the other team in front of his body and moving with them, even when pressing full-court.  He plays with heart and knows the game so well that doing the little things right looks natural for him. #2 | Prynce France |6'2 | G | St. Mary's | 2027 St. Mary's second player to make this list is a shifty guard who has the best handle of any player at the REB this year. Prynce France is a 6'2 guard that controls the ball like it's his puppet. He is able to make his way around the court and through defenses without batting an eye and maintaining a tight grip on the ball. He is creative off the hop and deceptive with the ball. He can both score and find a teammate off the dribble with split-second decision-making. I saw him throw several one-handed passes off the dribble while maneuvering through traffic and find his teammates with a pocket pass. Even throwing lobs for bigs cutting down low looked as easy as a simple chest pass for him. Both in-system and out of system, France was confident with the ball in his hands and was setting the table for his teammates. Whether he was running a simple action like a pick or a set offensive play from Mary’s playbook, the ball looked like it belonged in his hands. When defense cut off a lane or broke up a play, France was flexible at making split-second decisions on the fly and scored the ball when he saw fit. He can both spread the offense with an elite shot from deep or take the ball into the paint, all depending on how the defense reacts around him. His shot looked elite several times throughout the tournament, and he could take a few steps off the line, spotting up and draining shots with any space he was given, even if he didn‘t need to do this often. To add to this, his footwork and pace control give him the ability to stop on a dime and rise up for a mid-range shot without missing a beat or looking uncomfortable. As a point guard running the offense, France processes the game far above his age level, being young for a senior. He takes the game as it comes to him and plays with a stunning amount of confidence.                                                                               Photo courtesy of Ludwig Bernardo    #4 | Elijah Johnson | 6'7 | F | St. FX | 2027 Next up is the second half of the Elijah duo that won the championship. Elijah Johnson is St. FX's big man this season. At 6'7, he is a switch defender who spreads the offense. Johnson is an elite athlete who does whatever the team needs out of him in each matchup. Sometimes he plays as a versatile stretch big, and other times he sticks to more of a pick-and-roll or post-up inside threat. He is a solid screener and can pop or roll, leaving defenders guessing. His versatility on the court allows him to adjust offensively on the fly. He is crafty down low with many ways to finish around the rim and a good post finishing bag that he can break out. His footwork is great and allows him to seal defenders away from the basket, giving him open looks. With the ball, his head is always his head on a swivel, and he can find teammates with ease instead of forcing up bad shots. In transition, he has a solid handle on the ball and controls it well enough to bring the ball up court confidently. His shot from the perimeter allows him to spread the offense for the Rams. On the other end, he fits in with the team culture and can defend extremely well. He roams the paint as a last line of defense and can block shots with a long reach. He moves very light on his feet, which allows him to switch onto guards and stick on them as well as any perimeter defender can. His defense in and out of system is one of his best traits. His movement on the court is athletic and calculated, allowing him to match up with anyone and hold his own. Johnson is a very versatile and disciplined athlete at his core. #3 | Cohen Pratt | 6'3 | G | Ross Sheppard | 2027 Cohen Pratt from Ross Sheppard is an elite scoring guard. He has a craftiness to his game and finds space to get inside effectively. He isn't the shiftiest guard on this list, but he has a handle on the ball that allows him to get into his spots and make defenses pay for leaving an inch of breathing room. The 6’3 NAIT commit truly shone in getting to the hoop this weekend and finishing through contact. It was multiple times that I saw him drive down the lane, create contact with the defense, and finish acrobatically at the rim, earning the and-one. Getting to the line is no problem for Pratt, and his shot, being extremely clean, helps the effectiveness of his game. He has one of the purest forms and shots in Edmonton and might just be the best shot maker. His shot can get hot from outside, and if he's left open, that's just asking to give up three points. Whether he creates a look off the dribble from the perimeter or he spots up and gets the look from someone else, his shot is pure. His skillset doesn't force him to rely on this shot right now, though, so when he isn’t feeling it or in rhythm from deep, he is effective at creating a shot off the hop. His creativity with the ball allows him to find the open space between defenders. Several times, he got into the paint and finished with a reverse around defenders or turned away from the defense into a fadeaway from the elbow. One of his most deadly shots this weekend was a pull-up or fade from the paint, over the top of bigger paint defenders. A good off-ball mover to get open on the perimeter, and he doesn’t stay still for long, making him a tough matchup. He only needed a foot in the paint to get a good look and make weak defenses pay. One of the best shooters in the tournament with a versatile scoring ability. #7 | Lucas Tan-Ngo | 5'11 | G |  Vancouver College | 2027 For the final player on this team, Lucas Tan-Ngo has made it consecutively over the last two years onto my list. A 5'11 guard that plays some of the most lockdown perimeter defense I have seen for Vancouver College. His lateral movement is elite. He can put anyone in jail on the perimeter and acts as a defensive leader on the court, communicating with his team, helping or doubling when he was needed. His motor does not quit when on the floor, and he hustles for everything, matching up with the toughest defensive assignment and always running down the court on offense. This defense never faltered over the three days, and he stood out as one of the best defenders in the whole tournament. Whether he was pressing the ball handlers in-system or reading a pass and cutting off the lane for a steal, his quick feet help add to the menace of a defender he is all over the court. On the offensive side of the ball, Tan-Ngo has an elite shooting touch. His range was able to be extended far beyond the arc several times. In his second game, he came out in front on the break and knocked down consecutive threes. His shot looked clean all weekend. Outside of shooting, when handling the ball, Tan-Ngo was confident to run the offense or find his way to the rack for an easy look. His split second decision making allowed him to either pull up for a high percentage look from deep or rip it through on the way to the rack with a soft touch off the glass. At his size, he has no problem finishing over and through taller defenders and plays far beyond his height. This guy is ready to be a crafty three-and-D player at the next level.  REB 'Got Next' Team   The final team in this article is the REB ‘Got Next’ team. This is a team made with five of the best younger players who stood out in a contributing role during the tournament. There was plenty of young talent, but I highlighted the ones that showed the most potential and the ones that played their role the most efficiently. Selections were based on the same standards as the previous teams, showing impact on both ends of the floor. I expect all five of these players to grow into high caliber players and develop into more than just role players on their respective teams. Check in on these athletes next season and see how much they've developed. These are all sorted in alphabetical order by last name. #3 | Mitchel Ilika | 6'5 | C | St. Mary's | 2028 The first one on this team is the third member from St. Mary's who earned a spot in this article. At 6’5, Mitchel Ilika was running the paint during the REB. The big man is built like an athlete and shows it in the way he plays as well. Ilika plays with force and strength, dominating the paint on both ends. He rebounds the ball extremely well by creating contact and making space for himself under the rim. Even though he can, he doesn't just jump out of the gym or out-muscle opponents when grabbing boards; he does it the right way and fights to earn the second chance points. He can punch it through the rim with a slam when recycling the ball under the basket. Ilika is extremely strong at recycling offensive possession and is not easily stopped in the paint. Although he did hit a couple of threes over the tournament, he knows his role and plays it extremely well as a paint force. His finishing under the rim is not just all force and his game has some finesse to it as well. He has a few finishing moves he uses right now, and it doesn’t have to be flashy to work, especially when it’s done the right way. As for defense, he is a fantastic rim protector. His length helps him alter shots at the rim easily. Just having him down low makes the offense adjust and have to think twice about driving to the hoop. Ilika will be the big man of the future for Mary's, and as their starting center, will only get better with the kind of run time he gets now.                                                                                    Photo courtesy of Graeme Kelly #3 | Kaeleb La Pierre |5'7 | G | Strathcona | 2028 Next up is a major contributor to Scona's offense and a huge part of their future: starting point guard, Kaeleb La Pierre. La Pierre combines high basketball IQ with scoring ability, making him a key contributor for Scona. He doesn't force anything and looks to get to the high efficiency spots. At 5’7, he is a very comfortable ball handler and good at running the offense in or out of system. He is crafty down the lane and can move the ball if there is a better look elsewhere for one of his teammates. A very efficient and smart player with the ball in his hands. He has the game IQ to even be an efficient part of their offense when he plays off the ball. He is always on the move and looking for open space, whether that is spotting up on the perimeter, crashing inside, or cutting down the lane to find an open drive. La Pierre's on court IQ doesn't only show on the offensive end, and he is a great defender at the point of attack. He moves well laterally and is great at keeping opponents in front of him. His on-ball pressure bothers most guards as he stays close enough to disturb the ball handler, but is in control and doesn’t foul often. When he has the opportunity, he can snag a steal on-ball as well, but his steals on the box score don’t represent how good of a defender he is. He bothers guards just with his movement and his read on the ball. Just one part of Scona's young core, La Pierre has a very well-rounded and efficient game. I am excited to see what skill he can master next. #4 | Kent Muheto | 5'10 | G | Ross Sheppard | 2028 The next player on this team is another small, defensive-minded Edmonton guard. At 5’10, Kent Muheto from Ross Sheppard has shown lockdown perimeter defensive talent. He has good reaction time and hands to grab steals when he has the position, but doesn’t force anything. He bothers guards and sticks to ball handlers no matter how crafty they get with him. His lateral movement allows him to stick with bigger guards and keep them on the perimeter. He keeps a solid low base and moves with the ball. As for his offensive game, he likes to take it hard to the rim. Muheto has a great line drive and doesn't shy away from contact. He has a bag of finishing moves around the rim and doesn't let paint protectors deter him from getting creative and putting the ball in the hoop from the paint. He has a solid enough handle on the ball and can find teammates in the pick-and-roll or down the lane while he drives. An effective role player who can spread the offense and shoot the three when left open. His shot wasn’t a highly used skill since his team had several other strong shooters, but when he got the looks, he delivered. With a higher offensive volume, I believe Muheto will thrive and truly show out. He plays a very hard-nosed game and lets his defense lead the show. I am excited to see how far his defence-first mindset can carry him.                                                                               Photo courtesy of Graeme Kelly #7 | Hayden Spronk | 6'2 | G |  Strathcona | 2028 One of two Grade 11s from Strathcona on the ‘Got Next’ team this year. Hayden Spronk showed how well he can straight-up shoot the ball at the REB. He was easily one of the top shooters in the tournament. His shot is clean, and he knows how to get into his spots with and without the ball. At 6’2, he is a creative shot maker. He can score the ball in several different ways too all across the court. He has a solid step-back to the three-ball and fade-away shot from inside in his bag right now. Spronk has a good handle on the ball and can use it to create space for himself or to take a line drive to the hoop when he is given the space. Spronk moves well off-ball and moves with the other guards on the court, and adjusts to open space where he can be found with the pass. He only takes the shots that he feels comfortable with, and at this moment, there isn’t much that he can’t take. He comfortably shoots the ball from beyond the three-point line and steps a few feet off to give an extra cushion from the defense without hindering his shots. As a role player this year, he is shining on the court, and the runway for minutes is there for him to make another jump during the season or into next with the roster turnover. #1 | Marcus Taylor | 5'8 | G | Jasper Place | 2028 Closing out the list is Jasper Place’s own Marcus Taylor—a guard with vision and poise beyond his years. His handle on the ball is tight, and he can run the offense well, controlling the pace of play. For an undersized guard right now, he reads the game well and finds his teammates in crafty ways, adjusting to how the defense is set and what he can find around the court. His role as of now on the team is to run the offense in a smaller capacity off the bench, which he did in a super impactful way that helped keep his team rolling, even with the second unit in the game. There were several instances where Taylor found teammates with a flashy pass down the lane for an easy bucket under the rim. His passing looked like pocket passes only and made for an easy shot for his teammates and an assist for himself. Whether finding his teammates in their pocket for a shot, or leading the cutter to allow them to stay in motion for the easy bucket. He is confident with the ball in his hands and can run the team offense well, directing his teammates as a floor general. The second part of his game that stood out was his shooting. His shot is very clean, and in a small sample size, he looks like a confident shooter with space, even in high pressure situations. He has a good, quick pull-up and looks like he can shoot the ball well from the perimeter, spreading the offense and keeping defenders guessing. Taylor will be the guard of the future for the Rebels. These selections represent the athletes who stood out most during the 42nd REB—but the tournament was full of talent beyond this list. If you want to see even more player highlights, check out my X profile for on-the-fly highlights and big game updates. If you’ve never been, make sure to check out the 43rd annual REB tournament next December; you won’t regret it. I cover Alberta and Western Canada basketball, so if you want to see more, then feel free to follow me on Instagram and X. Any of these athletes interest you? Feel I missed someone? Want me to cover another tournament? Feel free to email me at hpaulichuk@gmail.com . I love to hear from everyone, and I'm blessed to be around basketball in Edmonton for the foreseeable future. A huge shoutout to everyone who helped make this article and coverage possible. This is no light undertaking, and I appreciate all who helped make this possible. From event organizers to coaches, players, editors, and photographers. I am only as good as my support, so feel free to share the article and my account with anyone you think could use it! REB Website -   https://sites.google.com/epsb.ca/reb-invitatational/information REB Program -   https://drive.google.com/file/d/11b7DEqx6P86dIs2SKNeHVjSIEOgT_j09/view My X account - Harrison Paulichuk (@HPaulichuk) / X My Contact Info - hpaulichuk@gmail.com

Written by Andrew Sharpe * Player evaluations follow New Brunswick basketball fans got an early Christmas gift this weekend, as three of the top boys high school teams in the Maritimes met for a little round robin. Rothesay Netherwood is a prep school playing out of, you guessed it, Rothesay, NB, near Saint John.  They participate in the National Preparatory Association (NPA), and play against the top high school-age teams in Canada. Citadel High is a public school in Halifax, NS, playing in the School Sport Nova Scotia D1 division.  They finished second in last season’s SSNS championship, but are widely considered the favourite this season.   You can read our full profile of The Phoenix at https://www.themapleminute.com/post/the-best-high-school-boys-basketball-team-in-atlantic-canada Fredericton High School is the third participant, another public school, playing in the School Sport New Brunswick AAA West conference.  The reigning provincial champion, they are also coming off a gold medal win at the Crandall University Hoop Classic in Moncton, the biggest high school tournament in the Maritimes.   So it was a battle of three titans meeting each other for the first time this season, to lay rest the argument of who’s the best high school team in the Maritimes. GAME 1 Full crowd for this one, including rapper and actor Maestro Fresh Wes, and more than one college coach scouting new talent.  The excitement around Citadel is well-deserved; everyone is wondering if a public school can truly compete with a well-established prep program like RNS. It took three quarters to decide, but the Riverhawks reminded us there are levels to this sport, as they pulled ahead in the second half to beat Citadel 104-89, though this was certainly a competitive and exciting game. GAME 2 RNS dominated the Sunday morning rematch, easily winning 95-80, using largely bench players, with Assistant Coach Anthony Anderson (yes, THAT Anthony Anderson) running the show. Citadel were lethargic and largely disinterested, while the RNS bench were hungry and determined.  A fourth-quarter run was all Citadel could muster, but it wasn’t nearly enough to make this a game. The difference between RNS and public schools was quite palpable in these two games, particularly in the way they run sets with deliberate, purposeful movements that were clearly orchestrated.  They have great energy from the court and the bench, and it doesn’t hurt that they have a loud, supportive student section. Conversely, Citadel, accustomed to simply out-athleting teams, largely plays an Open Gym style of 5-out, swinging the ball around until they find an advantage to attack, or, when they get frustrated, resorting to hero ball style early threes without a paint touch.  When it works, they cook.  But against a disciplined team like RNS, the cracks showed. GAME 3 Citadel travelled to Fredericton High School for the third and final game, where they reestablished dominance, eventually pulling out a 122-113 win after allowing the home team to bring the score back from a 20-point deficit. This game featured arguably the two best high school players in the Maritimes: FHS’ Teddy Worley (2026), a UVic commit, and Citadel’s Amari Upshaw (2027).  What a treat to watch the two go at each other, as both took turns taking over the game. Travaris Carvery (2026) both won and nearly lost this game.  Completely in his bag with spins, threes, and floaters, Carvery was dominant until being ejected for an ill-advised second technical for taunting. FHS fans know you never poke the Teddy bear, because Worley responded by putting the Black Kats on his back, to the tune of a 31-point second half, a challenge for the scoresheet writer, who struggled to find room to note them all. Citadel showed some mental toughness in this one.  Playing their third game in two days, they buckled down and got it done.  They remain the favourites in NS D1. RNS PLAYERS Halifax native and former Armbrae Academy player, 6'1” G Elijah Mantley (2028) led RNS with 28 points in game 1.  Mantley is a three-level scorer with amazing quickness, high compete, and pogo hops.  Crazy to think he’s 2028. From Kitchener, ON, 6'7” F Kareem Aljaibat (2026) had 20 points for RNS in game one, and 19 in game two.  Kareem is a long, lanky, exciting player who dunks everything and lets you know about it. Another Nova Scotian, New Waterford’s 6’3” SG Cohen McDonald (2027) is really one to watch.  His high-energy defense and cyborg shooting form are something to see, and his 205 lb frame is college-ready. Elijah, Kareem, and Coen are the noticeable standouts for RNS, and really move the needle for them.  Expect some American attention for these three, and any USports team that gets them will be happy. CITADEL PLAYERS For Citadel, 6'5” G and U17 Team Canada member, Amari Upshaw (2027), from Halifax, had 19, 18, and 20 points to lead his team in all three games.  Perhaps Upshaw’s most impressive talent is knowing when to get a bucket and when to involve his teammates.  If he can get his academics in order, the sky’s the limit for this kid.  6'1" G Travarius Carvery (2026) used his trademark floaters, spins, and logo threes to add 14, 7, and 18 points.  His bulky frame makes him a tough cover at the guard position.  If he can learn to play disciplined, he could be a very nice get at the USports level. 6'1” PG Harrison Norman (2026) provided his usual all-around game, adding 13, 15 and 13 high percentage points on intelligent shot selection.  Norman is a pesky defender, sticking his nose in every possession with tips and touches.  His high IQ and even temperament serve this team well, as they will his college team. Long and lanky 6'6” F Zi’aez Allison (2028) continues to steal minutes on a talented team of seniors.  He had 16, 5, and 16 points, most at the rim, off hard-earned offensive rebounds.  This is one to watch. FHS PLAYERS At this point, 6’5” Teddy Worley (2026) is a man among boys when it comes to high school basketball, scoring at will, to the tune of 36 points in this one.  We look forward to seeing what he can do at UVic. 6’2” Eric Desaulniers (2026) provided 26 points for the Black Kats.  Desaulniers is a Team NB player who should not be overlooked. 6’2” Josh Lawlor (2027) provided 13 points in this game.  It will be very interesting to see how his role increases once the Teddy Show leaves town. 6’5” Ilija Babic (2026) had 16 points in this game, and 24 in last year’s provincial championship game.  He should find a post-secondary team soon.

Written by Andrew Sharpe For two seasons in a row, the Citadel Phoenix, a boys basketball team from downtown Halifax, have been to the Nova Scotia provincial high school championships, and lost.  But before you start talking “bridesmaids”, check the roster. The Phoenix are coached by Alex Petropolis, a young but experienced analytical mind, who was on staff with Canada Basketball, USports’ Dalhousie Tigers, and Basketball Nova Scotia.  The basketball gods have been good to Coach Petropolis, but this year, they downright spoiled him, in the name of one of the best prospects in Canada. Amari Buckets. Team Canada U17 World Cup point guard, Amari Upshaw (2027), who has been playing prep basketball with NBA hopefuls in Arizona and Ontario, has returned home to Halifax to reclass for his grade 11 season.  And he’s joined the Phoenix. Upshaw has long been highly touted as an NCAA prospect, and when you watch him play, it’s easy to see why.  The game looks easy to him.  His thin, deceptively 6’5 frame isn’t imposing, but he floats on a sea of smooth athleticism.  He shoots the long ball, he attacks the rim, he passes.  As the kids say, he’s him. So, you can imagine Coach Petropolis’ excitement when he learned he was adding such a big piece to his veteran team, which already features six battle-tested seniors.  But as anyone who’s coached this game knows, with talent comes challenges.  Finding enough touches for everyone, not to mention managing court time and young egos, is no easy task. Enter Harrison Norman (2026).  On a team of cowboys, he’s the sheriff.  Calm, poised, and dependable, Norman doesn’t have the flash of Upshaw or the dominance of their fellow starter, Travarius Carvery (2026), a physical specimen capable of taking over a game.  But Norman is exactly what the Phoenix need, a risk-averse game manager who provides high-percentage scoring, but is eager to facilitate and defend, a team-first college prospect who plays with poise and joy.   The seniors Norman and Carvery are joined by a mini-Upshaw, another senior, Mukhtar Abokar (2026), a facilitator who’s a threat from deep.  We also need to mention 6’4 senior forward, Noah Gray, and grade 11 forward, Michael Tynes Jr., Upshaw’s younger brother.  Lastly, 6’6 grade 10, Zi’aez Allison, is one to watch, and his classmate, Fin MacLean, can really shoot it. This roster isn’t the only thing that’s loaded.  The coaching staff also features Ben Johnson, an NCAA player at College of Saint Rose and OUA All-Star at Lakehead University, Will Silver, an AUS All-Star at St. FX, and Marquis Clayton, another AUS All-Star with Saint Mary’s.  A coaches versus players game is probably a bad idea. So far, all this has added up to is an undefeated 6-0 season, including a 20-point statement win against the reigning champion Armbrae Academy, and a 14-point victory against the previous season’s champion, CP Allen. You see where this is going.  The Citadel Phoenix are the best high school basketball team east of Quebec, and we predict their two-season run as provincial final runner-up is about to end…in a championship. Promise and prediction ain't worth a penny.  The Phoenix need to focus on structured, team-oriented basketball.  They’re dominating Open Gym right now, but Armbrae and CP Allen will improve, and Millwood are loving the underdog role.  So the worst thing Citadel can do is watch their highlight films and start to believe their own hype.  They need to buckle down, listen to their coaches, lose the ego, and manifest their own destiny. It’s time.

Houston just secured one of the most dominant long-term prospects in North American basketball. Arafan Diane — a 7’1, 270-pound center with a reported 7’4 wingspan — has committed to the Cougars, giving Kelvin Sampson the kind of interior anchor you rarely find: size, power, touch, and real upside. Diane, originally from Guinea, has climbed the basketball ladder through the Canadian and American prep ecosystem, most recently suiting up for Iowa United Prep, where he’s become one of the most heavily recruited bigs in the 2026 class. His recruitment included offers from major programs such as Kentucky, Indiana, Virginia, and Arkansas, but Houston’s consistency, development track record, and culture separated them. This is a massive win for the Cougars — and a statement about where Diane’s game is heading. A Physical Presence You Can’t Teach At 7’1 and built incredibly sturdy, Diane is unlike almost any other young big across the prep landscape. He’s not just tall — he’s strong, wide-shouldered, and able to control the paint on both ends. He seals deep, finishes through contact, rebounds in traffic, and punishes smaller lineups the moment he touches the ball. His length and timing make him a natural rim protector. He deters drives, challenges without fouling, and forces opponents to re-route everything around him. Houston has built its identity on defense, rebounding, and physicality — and Diane fits that mold perfectly. A Growing Skill Set With Long-Term Upside What makes Diane such a compelling long-term prospect isn’t just his size — it’s how quickly his skill set is expanding. He’s shown comfort scoring with both hands, using a soft touch around the rim and becoming more confident with jump hooks and face-ups. Evaluators close to Iowa United have raved about his development curve: a big man who embraces coaching, works, and adds something new every season. He’s also flashed real passing instincts, especially out of the post when double teams come. That’s huge at the college level, and Houston’s staff clearly sees a foundation they can build into a complete, two-way center. Why Houston Makes Perfect Sense Houston doesn’t chase hype — they chase winners, workers, and guys with the toughness to survive the Cougars’ culture. Landing Diane is a sign that both sides saw the fit clearly. Sampson and his staff have developed bigs by emphasizing discipline, conditioning, and defensive fundamentals. For a young 7’1 center with legitimate pro potential, that environment is exactly what you want: accountability, structure, and a program built on competing every day. The Bigger Picture for Canadian Basketball Diane’s path — from Guinea to Canadian development, to Iowa United, to a national-level commitment — reflects the expanding pipeline of global talent moving through Canada and thriving on big stages. His commitment to Houston is another example of a player with size, patience, and long-term upside choosing a school that develops pros. Arafan Diane isn’t just a massive pickup for Houston — he’s one of the most intriguing big men in the entire 2026 class, with tools that translate and a ceiling that continues to rise.

When you talk about the 2026 class in Canada, there’s one name that consistently rises above the rest — Miles Sadler. The Bella Vista Prep standout has been on a steady climb for the last few years, and today he sits firmly as the best point guard — and best overall player — in Canada’s 2026 class. With his recent commitment to West Virginia, Sadler has stamped himself as the next must-watch Canadian prospect heading to the NCAA. A True Lead Guard Who Controls the Game Sadler is the type of point guard who makes the game look organized even when everything around him gets chaotic. He’s a natural decision-maker — calm in pick-and-roll, dynamic off the bounce, and always a step ahead as a passer. He shoots it with confidence, gets to his spots efficiently, and competes on the defensive end with the same edge he brings offensively. The numbers back up what you see on film: this past EYBL session he averaged 13.3 PPG, 5.6 APG, and 1.8 SPG, showing how complete his two-way game already is. For a guard who’s still early in his development curve, the polish is hard to miss. Canadian Roots, U.S. Development Originally from Canada, Sadler made the jump to the U.S. to sharpen his game at Bella Vista Prep (AZ), and it’s clear that the move paid off. He blended the toughness and fundamental base you see from Canadian guards with the pace, physicality, and spacing of American prep basketball. That combination is exactly why his stock skyrocketed. Why West Virginia Was the Move For Sadler, West Virginia offered everything he was looking for: A real opportunity to play right away A coaching staff that believed in him early A system that values tough, smart, competitive guards The Mountaineers are in a rebuilding phase, and Sadler arrives as a foundational piece — the type of guard who can bring stability, scoring, leadership, and a defensive presence from day one. What Makes Sadler Special There are good point guards, and then there are players who change the tempo and shift the outcome just by being on the floor. That’s Sadler. Three-level scoring High-IQ facilitator Competes defensively Elite pace and poise Leadership qualities you can build a team around His ceiling is high, but what makes him so valuable is how high his floor already is. He’s reliable, battle-tested, and rarely gets sped up — traits you can’t teach. Another Win for Canadian Basketball Each year, we see another wave of Canadian guards carve out their path south of the border. Sadler is the next in line — and a legitimate blueprint for the younger generation coming up behind him. His West Virginia commitment isn’t just another headline. It’s a statement: Canada’s top guard in 2026 is ready for the spotlight — and the spotlight is ready for him.

With November 17th 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 Moose Jaw, and the 5A field will feature two teams from Saskatoon, three from Regina, and three qualifying rural teams. As I analyze the provincial basketball landscape, I notice that this year will be tough to predict, as we lost a very strong group of grade 12s. Last year saw a lot of continuity with teams, but we are looking at almost every top team having lost half their roster, so junior programs and coaching will play a huge factor in which teams will be at Hoopla. This year is a moving target; other than injuries and a transfer, I was mostly correct all last season. This year, I am sure there will be movement all over the place, and teams not even ranked may be Hoopla contenders. 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   Carlton Comprehensive High School Crusaders (Prince Albert, SK) I think they are the team to beat on paper. They finished 7th at Hoopla after a dominant run in the rural qualifying draw. This team returns the most minutes played of any team that participated in Hoopla last season. They will return (2027) 6'1 Zane Litzenberger, who was team Saskatchewan's leading scorer at nationals, and (2027) 6'4 Emerson MacQuiag, who is a nightmare inside for almost any high school team they will face. Add to this (2027) 6'6 Clarence Ermine, (2028) 6'7 Landon Stonestand, (2027) 5'9 Everett Moccasin-Bourke, and (2027) 6'0 Colton Golding, all took huge steps last year and will fill valuable roles as the team looks to bring home a championship banner. Their schedule this year will include the following tournaments; they do not play any league games: Carlton Tourney (Prince Albert, SK) - Nov 28-29th GIT (St Joseph High; Saskatoon, SK) - Dec 4-6 Moose Jaw Tourney (Moose Jaw, SK) - Dec 12-13 BRIT ( Saskatoon, SK) - Jan 8-10 Estevan Tourney (Estevan, SK) - Jan 16-17 MIT (Walter Murray; Saskatoon, SK) - Jan 29-31 Tri-Prov (Harry Ainley; Edmonton, AB) - Feb 4-7 Peacock Tourney (Moose Jaw, SK) - Feb 27-28 North Battleford Tourney (North Battleford, SK) - March 6-7 #2  St Joseph Collegiate Guardians (Saskatoon) 2024/25 was a great year for the Guardians, and Coach Paul Hansen will look to keep building on that this season. They lost 7 players from last year's team, with Nemo Arnold (Holland College) and Demi Akinmoyero (Douglas College) moving on to college, Raphael Ewejobi graduating, and Leandro Rego moving to Edmonton. They will still have a lot of talent, including (2027) 6'5 "Mayo Alabi and (2027) 6'3" Kaden MacAngus, both of whom I highlighted in my "Players to Watch" article last week. Add to them (2027) 5'9 Khynne Aspero, (2027) 6'3 Owen Graham, and (2029) 6'0 Fidel Linantud. Their junior team had a good season last year, but will that be enough depth to hold off all the teams below? We shall see. Their schedule this year will include the following tournaments to complement league play: Mike Dea Invitational (St FX; Edmonton, AB) Nov 27-29 GIT (St Joseph; Saskatoon, SK) Dec 4-6 BRIT (Saskatoon, SK) Jan 8-10 MIT (Walter Murray; Saskatoon, SK) Jan 29-31 LIT (Luther; Regina, SK) Feb 5-7 #3   Martin Collegiate Monarchs (Regina) Coming off a season where they finished as Regina City Champions and 3rd in the province, Coach Rob Thomson is looking to break through and win it all this season. They lost 10 players to graduation, including 6'2 "Thomas Olson (Medicine Hat College), 6'5 "Corban Andres (Red Deer College), and 6'4 "Aiden Newton; however, they have had a powerhouse junior program over the last several years that will replenish some of the pieces. (2027) 6'1 guard Zack Zaiser will be their main guy and will drive them with his relentless attacking and motor. (2028) 5'8 Kobe Thomson will again start at the point. He was big at times for them as a Grade 10 starter last season, and he has stepped his game up further this summer playing with Golden Ticket. They will also return (2027) 6' Judah Frentz and (2027) 6'1 Eric Flaman. (2028) 6'5 Kehinde Ajayi, (2028) 6'4 Kiefer Derkitt, and (2029) 6'5 Braydon Waldron will all be looked upon to make the leap to the senior team and provide the size they need to defend their city championship and maybe earn Martin the long-awaited Hoopla title. Their schedule this year will include the following tournaments to complement league play: MIBT (Martin; Regina, SK) - Nov 20-22nd BSSI (Brandon, MB) - Dec 11-13th BRIT (Saskatoon, SK) - Jan 8-10th St Mary's (Calgary, AB) - Jan 29-31st LIT - qualifier TBA #4  Holy Cross Collegiate Crusaders (Saskatoon) The defending provincial champs will be in for a big learning curve this season as they graduated 10 players, including Kian Tyson (Edge Prep), Moe Osman (Saskatchewan), and Goloom Bein. But Coach Josh Rutten has done nothing but win in his 3 seasons as head coach with 2 Hoopla titles and a bronze. He will start with a great foundation as (2027) 6'2 Raph Mutungolo may be the best defensive player in Western Canada, and (2028) 5'10 Lucian Tyson is a bucket that will be a nightmare for teams to contain. Add to them some grade 12s that looked good over the summer in club, a very talented group of juniors coming up, and the possibility of (2030) 6' Syn Tyson making the squad as a grade 9, make this a team that will once again contend. Their schedule this year will include the following tournaments to complement league play: BRIT (Saskatoon, SK) Jan 8-10 MIT (Walter Murray; Saskatoon, SK) Jan 29-31 (British Columbia) Feb 5-7 #5 Michael A. Riffel High School Royals (Regina) 2024/25 did not turn out the way that coach Shields planned, as Davin Berry got hurt early in the year, and without him, they really couldn't challenge for the Hoopla title. They still had a solid season, finishing 2nd in Regina and playing well at Hoopla. They do lose 7 players on top of Davin (Regina football), and replacing Ian Randall, Ethan Aveyard (Okanagan College), and Grady Wilson (Golden Ticket Post Grad) will not be an easy feat. (2027) 6'5 shooter Joe Lippai had some big games last year and will need to take a huge role for this squad if they want to challenge for a city and Hoopla title. He will also count on (2027) 5'11 Jevin Kassick and (2028) 6' Rayce Shaw to lead a good group of juniors. Their schedule this year will include the following tournaments to complement league play: BSSI (Brandon, MB) - Dec 11-13th Royal Rumble (Riffel; Regina, SK) - Jan 9-10th CIT (Campbell; Regina, SK) - Jan 29-31st LIT - qualifier TBA The Rock (Regina Christian; Regina SK) Feb 26-28 #6   Miller Maurauders (Regina) Coach Nav Burke will be looking to get back to Hoopla, and this team should get him there. 2024/25 was a building year with only 2 grade 12s on the roster, which means he is returning 13 players. (2027) 6' guard Mofope Soyemi will be his undisputed leader after a great summer with Rise Above and Saskatchewan. He is joined by (2029) 6'1 Jacob Del Castillo, who was one of the top scorers at U15 nationals and will have a green light to light up play every time he steps on the floor. Add solid players like (2027) 6'0 Joshua Kabongo, and (2027) Goodness Odumosu, and they should be able to hold on to a spot at Hoopla and possibly even win it all. Their schedule this year will include the following tournaments to complement league play: Totem Classic (Ross Sheppard; Edmonton, AB) - Dec 4-6 CIT (Campbell; Regina, SK) - Jan 29-31st #7   Walter Murray Collegiate Mauraders (Saskatoon) This will be a changing of the guard for Coach Hawley, and his son Zach will be suiting up for Edge Prep and not Walter Murray. The 2 have led the team to 2 consecutive city championships as well as 2 Hoopla Silvers and 1 championship in the past 3 years. Combined with losing Faisal Mahadhi (Saskatchewan), Nickolay Khivrich, and Darius Moss (Golden Ticket Post Grad), this team has a lot of minutes to fill. However, as significant a loss as the above seems, they are returning nine players who have gained valuable experience and may step up to bring home another title. (2027) 6' Isak Larsen will be their leader, and I think he is ready to take on the role. Also returning (2027) 6'5 Zach Mochoruk, (2027) 6'1 Mouad Etagiuru, (2028) 5'11 Andrew Hawley, and 5'8 Lucas Hawley, will all be ready to fill roles and create their own legacies at Murray. Their schedule this year will include the following tournaments to complement league play: GIT (St Joseph; Saskatoon, SK) Dec 4-6 REB (Jasper Place; Edmonton, AB) Dec 11-13 BRIT (Saskatoon, SK) Jan 8-10 MIT (Walter Murray; Saskatoon, SK) Jan 29-31 #8  Campbell High School Tartans (Regina) 2024/25 was a year that saw Campbell compete hard every game and find themselves finishing 6th at Hoopla. They will lose some huge pieces as Adriane Reaume, Treysen Perras, Aidan Kreutzer, and Julio Ruiz have all graduated. The biggest loss may be head coach Zenon Orobko, who I think is the next great coach from Sask, to Riffel, where he will be with Coach Sheilds. New head Coach Aaden Hamann will be starting with maybe the most talented roster in Regina, but also a very young one. (2028) 6'5 Dominic Baker-Poloma, (2028) 6'2 Sascha Scoular, and (2028) 6'8 Demetry Gotsoulias will be the team to beat in 2026/27, and I'm sure they will push hard to win one this season as well. Their schedule this year will include the following tournaments to complement league play: Medicine Hat Tourney (Medicine Hat, AB) - Dec 5-7 Crosstown Classic (Regina, SK) Jan 15-17 CIT (Campbell; Regina, SK) - Jan 29-31st LIT - qualifier TBA #9  Swift Current Colts 2024/25 saw the Colts make an impressive run at the Regional Tournament to secure a birth in Hoopla. I did not rank them a single time last year, and I won't be missing out on coach Phil Braun's squad again. They return 9 players that have been together for a few years on the spring club circuit and will be looking to make a deep run at Hoopla this year. (2028) 5'8 Manning Unger, (2027) 6'2 Nate Siemens, and (2027) 6'1 Toby Klassen will be just names to watch for this squad. Their schedule this year will include the following tournaments to complement league play: Carlton Tourney (Prince Albert, SK) - Nov 28-29th Swift Current Tourney (Swift Current, SK) - Dec 4-6 Swift Current Tourney (Swift Current, SK) - Jan 8-10 MIT (Walter Murray; Saskatoon, SK) - Jan 29-31 Peacock Tourney (Moose Jaw, SK) - Feb 27-28 The Rock (Regina Christian; Regina SK) Feb 26-28 #10  LeBoldus Golden Suns (Regina) 2024/25 was a rebuilding year for the Suns, who have consistently been the top men's program in Regina, as 4 Hoopla titles and 4 runner-up finishes since 2010 show. Coach Patrick Reed will have 6 players returning, including 4 starters. (2027) 5'10 Mike McLellan is fresh off an impressive summer with Rise Above and will be joined by (2028) 6'5 Sam Hominuke, whose game was very impressive for Golden Ticket this summer. They will be joined by (2027) 6'0 Tobi Kukura, who has signed with the Rams for football next season and will bring a lot of energy. Look for them to not only push for a spot at Hoopla but also try to stave off a couple of teams that will be challenging that I didn't rank. Their schedule this year will include the following tournaments to complement league play: Mike Dea Invitational (St FX; Edmonton, AB) Nov 27-29 GIT (St Joseph; Saskatoon, SK) Dec 4-6 Crosstown Classic (Regina, SK) Jan 15-17 CIT (Campbell; Regina, SK) - Jan 29-31st Instead of Honorable mentions, here are my predictions for the teams in each city, as well as my top 5 rural teams. Saskatoon Premiere League St Joseph Guardians Walter Murray Marauders Holy Cross Crusaders Aden Bowman Bears Bishop J Mahoney Saints Centennial Chargers Marion Graham Falcons Bedford Road RedHawks Regina Premiere League Martin Monarchs Riffel Royals Miller Mauraders Campbell Tartans Leboldus Suns Regina Christian - 3A Harvest City Reapers - 4A O'Neill Titans Rural Team Carleton Crusaders (Prince Albert) Swift Current Colts Central Cyclones - 4A (Moose Jaw) North Battleford Vikings St Mary's