Central Cyclones Host 64th Annual Senior Boys Basketball Tournament This Weekend
It’s a tradition that is 64 years in the making as Central Collegiate is holding their annual senior boys basketball tournament today and Saturday.
Featuring six teams - two from Central Collegiate - the tournament will bring together dozens of players from 4A schools.
The tournament usually features eight to 12 teams but due to factors beyond their control the tournament will feature six teams this year says Collin Belsher from Central Collegiate.
Editor’s note - the Central Cyclones are in the white and red uniforms and the Luther Lions are in black and white uniforms.
“It’s still OK with us. We always try to get some high quality teams here . We prefer to have 4A teams here based upon the rankings of the season and kind of get us prepped for provincials that come in March,” Belsher said.
The provincials for the Saskatchewan High School Athletics Association or Hoopla will be held in Moose Jaw.
The Central Cyclones are the reigning 4A senior boys champion.
Teams for this year’s tournament come from the northern part of the province, Regina and Moose Jaw.
The teams are from Meadow Lake, Melfort, Humboldt, Luther in Regina and the two Cyclones teams.
“It looks like it’s going to be a pretty balanced tournament and we’ll see how it all finishes up,” he said.
The tournament should help all teams participating become better teams, Belsher said.
“I think the more you play the more reps you get. The more redefining you can get. You can only do so much at a practice that’s where you make things work. But you need that game experience to improve upon what you’ve done in practice,” he said.
Belsher said teams go on a tournament circuit where they look for new competitors.
“ when you do a tournament you bring in teams you don’t normally see.’
He said the Cyclones are fortunate because in February they’re headed off to Winnipeg for a major tournament. They will play teams they have never seen before..
“ it will be really high-level competition so we’re looking forward to that.”
The cost to attend the tournament is $5 per day. Pre-schoolers are free.
Games get under way at 9 am on Saturday with the championship game scheduled for 6 pm.
Everyone is welcome.
All games are at the Central Collegiate gym and its newly reconditioned floor.
After two games the Central Cyclones senior boys team has a 2 - 0 record.
The Cyclones defeated Luther and Meadow Lake.
Editor’s note - the Central Cyclones are in the black and red uniforms and Meadow Lake are in orange and green uniforms.
