Prince Town celebrates their city championship. (Submitted Photo/ Denny Heathen)

By Nigel Maxwell

Hoop dreams

P.A. men’s basketball league lays up triumphant return

Jun 30, 2023 | 2:00 PM

After nearly six long years, a Prince Albert men’s basketball league made a big return this year and the final game of the season was played Thursday night at Sask. Polytech.

Despite playing with no subs, Prince Town was able to defeat the Real Hoopers 110-89.

Denny Heathen is the person responsible for bringing the league back.

“I just recently sobered up in my life two years ago and I just realized there’s a lot of men out there that need a positive way to release their stress,” he told paNOW.

Heathen, who is taking carpentry classes at Sask Polytech, first contacted the facility manager and secured the gym. Then he talked to Kent Arpin at Carlton Comprehensive High School, a certified referee, who agreed to work all the games.

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The league this season consisted of six teams and each paid a fee of $1,100 which covered costs associated with liability insurance, gym rental and paying the referee.

Denny Heathen. (Facebook)

Heathen noted they had a number of players who played high school basketball and one who played college ball across the U.S.

“I was just really surprised to see the level of competition here with men,” he said.

This season’s sole sponsor was Escalade Homes and noting plans to have another league this fall, Heathen said he would like to get more sponsors on board.

“A lot of people are giving me positive feedback because it went so well these past couple months,” he said, adding basketball provides a healthy outlet for men.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell