Huskies point guard Gage Grassick in action against the University of Manitoba. (David Larkins)

By Derek Craddock

SILVER PERFORMANCE

‘Phenomenal effort’: P.A. basketball player reflects on national championship experience

Mar 13, 2024 | 5:00 PM

From the courts of Carlton High School to the National Championships, a Prince Albert basketball is reflecting on an impressive season with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies.

Third-year player Gage Grassick and the Huskies played in the National Championship game on Sunday but fell just short, 70-67 to the Carleton Ravens.

READ MORE: P.A.’s Grassick scores 30 as Huskies fall to Ravens in championship game

The Huskies had a season for the ages, going 19-1, and winning the Canada West title, being ranked number one in the country.

In the first round, Grassick had 19 points as the Huskies took care of the number eight seed University of Calgary Dinos.

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She followed that up with a nine-point, seven-rebound performance in a 64-57 Huskies win over the Laval Rouge et Or in the semi-finals.

In the title game against Carleton, Grassick was on fire, leading the team with 30 points in a performance worthy of gold. However, the team had to settle for silver.

Speaking to paNOW about the championship game, Grassick said it was something that every basketball player dreams of.

“It’s the goal for every team to be on that stage and in that spotlight,” she said. “Everyone wants to win the national championship, but as a team we were super proud of the progress we made and still coming out second in Canada is a phenomenal effort as a team.”

When reflecting on not only this season but her two previous years with the Huskies, Grassick said it was her early days with the team that she remembers the most.

“My first year, we made it to nationals. We won the consolation side, but we also won Can West that year,” she said. “So, as a rookie, as a first year winning that Can West championship was quite exhilarating.”

In the 2023-24 season, Grassick averaged 30.7 points a game with 130 rebounds in 25 games played.

With their championship run now finished, Grassick and the Huskies are taking a few weeks off to focus on their studies. In the meantime, they’re ready to cheer on another Huskies team, vying for a national title.

“We host the women’s national hockey here, so, as a team, we’ll probably go in and support them because we had such a great showing in Edmonton.”

That tournament begins on Thursday and finishes on March 17 at Merlis Belsher Place in Saskatoon.

–With files from HuskieFan

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com