By Jeff D'Andrea

Crusaders lone P.A. team off to Hoopla

Mar 23, 2017 | 2:00 PM

The Carlton Crusaders senior girls basketball team will be the lone Prince Albert representatives at Hoopla 2017 high school basketball provincials this weekend in Regina.

The Crusaders were the only P.A. team to qualify through the 5A rural regionals, winning the tournament in Estevan this past weekend.

Crusaders head coach Jennifer Ferguson expected her team advance to Hoopla, but knows the provincial tournament is another ball of wax.

“This weekend, that’s a little bit different. We’re expecting to go down and compete but the results will be up in the air,” Ferguson said. “We could go and lose both our games, we could go and win our first two games. The competition is that tight. If we play our best, we’ll be in every game. If we don’t, we’ll get beat.”

Their first matchup is Thursday night against Centennial, the second seeds coming out of Saskatoon.

WORLD SOFTBALL

Group stages officially set for Men's Softball World Cup in P.A.

2h ago

Safety first

Safety concerns and tips surrounding discarded needles in P.A.

20h ago

Liquor stores must change hours

Prince Albert limits liquor store hours

23h ago

Although the Crusaders haven’t played against Centennial this year, they did see them at a tournament earlier this year.

“They have some really good shooters on their team, they have some provincial team players, they’re coached well,” Ferguson said. “They’ll press and move the ball quickly. We think it will be a good matchup.”

The Crusaders will hope to combat Centennial’s skill by committee, as well as their defence and quickness.

“Our depth is probably our biggest strength,” Ferguson said. “We’re one of few teams that can use all of the players they have in pressure situations. We definitely plan to get everybody into games as much as we can.”

Also competing from the region are St. Brieux in the 2A Boys division, Kinistino in the 2A Girls division, Birch Hills 3A Boys and Melfort in 4A Girls.

Trophies will be handed out on Saturday in Regina. 

jdandrea@jpbg.ca 

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW