The Team Sask. U17 Development team poses with their new hardware following there win at Main Event Las Vegas over the weekend The team featured Prince Albert's Zane Litzenberger and North Battleford's Nate Fransoo. (Basketball Saskatchewan Inc./Facebook)

By Logan Lehmann

Top of the podium

Locals claim gold in major tournament in Las Vegas

Jul 24, 2024 | 8:57 AM

More than a handful of Central Saskatchewan locals are bringing home hardware following their top tier performances at a series of major basketball tournaments in Las Vegas.

The tournament, called Main Event Las Vegas, features hundreds of teams and thousands of players from around the globe all competing for the title of champion.

Representing Saskatchewan from close to home included Melfort’s Paul Peterson, Battlefords’ Max Weran, and Muskoday First Nation’s Landon Stonestand in the U15 Division. Meanwhile, Prince Albert’s Emerson MacCuaig and North Battleford’s Eston Glass were on the U17 squad, and P.A.’s Zane Litzenberger and North Battleford’s Nate Fransoo were on the U17 Development team.

The U17 Development team managed gold for the second straight year, where Litzenberger said it was a whole different game on the court from what he’s used to in the Prairies.

“It’s very different from what it is in Canada,” he said. “It’s a very fast paced game, lots of better players you see out there – more experienced guys, you got to dig a little deeper when you’re out there and work more as a team.”

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Like the development team, the other U17 crew also won back-to-back tournament titles while the U15’s also captured the championship.

With many college and even some pro scouts among the crowds at the tournament, Fransoo mentioned they were the least of his worries.

“[They’re] not in my head at all. I’m focused on doing what I can do for my team, making the right play, making the right pass, and being the teammate I know I can be.”

He added this being his second stint with Team Sask., there was a lot more confidence in his game.

“We had pretty much the same team [as last year] so we already had a decent amount of chemistry to begin with. During the club season, I played with most of the guys that were on this Team Sask. team again so going into Las Vegas, I felt way more comfortable with the team and that we had a great shot at winning.”

Next up for the U15’s and U17’s is the National Championships in Toronto next month.

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com