WILKIE-- Ranked number two among 2A schools in the province, the McLurg Broncs girls’ basketball team romped through conferences and regionals to earn their way to the provincial championships in Saskatoon, March 21 and 22. They had to come from behind in their first game in order to get the win to move on to the final where they lost a very close game to number one ranked St. Brieux. Congratulations, McLurg, on a silver medal finish.
The Broncs started the championship tournament March 21 against Norquay, a “very skilled and tall … team with a huge bench,” according to Broncs Coach Mark Myszczyszyn. At one point in the fourth quarter, the Broncs were down by 15 points. Pressing hard, the Broncs came back to ultimately win the game by one point, 60-59.
The Wilkie team then met St. Brieux in the final, having played them twice in the regular season, winning one and losing one. The Broncs led for the majority of the game but St. Brieux was not going down without a fight, dropping several three-point baskets. Ultimately St. Brieux claimed the gold medals, winning the final by only two points, 49-47.
Myszczyszyn said, “One of the host school’s organizers … [told] me that this was the best game of the whole tournament.”
Myszczyszyn added, “Unfortunately we didn’t take advantage of some important opportunities at the end … I am very proud of them but we are all disappointed too … I am very proud of these girls who have shown tremendous tenacity and skill by playing in this final game the last four years straight.
“Basketball is the longest season and we practise three times a week with two 7 a.m. practices We are gone to tournaments every possible weekend.
“I have seven grade 12s who have taught the young ones the way to continue by valuing hard work and being a great teammate. I do believe the young grade 10s and 9s will continue with this competitiveness.”
The seven graduating players are Cheyanne Cey, Tyra Myszczyszyn, Erin Squires, Hailey Hyland, Kierra Babchuk, Reese Fenrich and Alara Lang. Some of these players have been selected by Basketball Saskatchewan to play in the Senior All Star Classic game in early April. Details to come in a future issue of The Press-Herald.
The McLurg Broncs weren’t the only representatives of our area to be playing at Hoopla 2025. Also qualifying for the provincial finals was the Kerrobert Rebels girls’ basketball team. Although the Rebels were not able to return home from the tournament with medals around their necks, finishing fourth among all the 1A schools in the province is an accomplishment they should all be proud of. Congratulations, Rebels.
