Crusaders Win 5A Boys Championship - Photo Essay

Photos and story by Robert Thomas

Saskatoon’s Holy Cross defeats Prince Albert Carlton 102 - 97 in an overtime thriller

In what is arguably one of the best HOOPLA finals ever the first seeded Holy Cross Crusaders defeated the second seeded Prince Albert’s Carlton 102 - 97 in overtime.

The game saw Carlton fight back from a one time 20 point deficit to tie the game 82 - 82 forcing a five minute overtime.

With just over a minute left Carlton trailed by four points when Zane Litzenberger was fouled. Litzenberger would drain the two shots from the foul line leaving a two point deficit.

Carlton’s Clarence Ermine would score a bucket tying the game and the large contingent of Carlton fans who had taken the bus south for Hoopla went wild.

With six seconds left in regulation time Holy Cross was threatening but were unable to score forcing the game into a five minute overtime period.

The Prince Albert Carlton cheering section - MJ Independent photo

Carlton jumped out fast in overtime seemingly headed for the boys 5A provincial title as they held a nine point lead at the mid way point.

But Holy Cross used their size advantage to eat into what seemed like an insurmountable lead and then fly by Carlton.

Despite not giving up Carlton fell 102 - 97 to Holy Cross.

PA Carlton’s Colton Golding (left) is pursued by Holy Cross’s Daniel Solarin - MJ Independent photo

Top Point Scorers

Holy Cross

Daniel Umejiego - 27 points

Daniel Solarin - 25 points

Lucian Tyson - 20 points

PA Carlton’s Clarence Ermine (left) pushes off against Holy Cross’s Luka Pek - MJ Independent photo

Top Point Scorers

PA Carlton

Emerson McCuaig - 31 points

Zane Litzenberger - 29 points

Clarence Ermine - 27 points

PA Carlton’s Zane Litzenberger (left) goes around the outside - MJ Independent photo

Holy Cross’ Syn Tyson (left) pursues PA Carlton’s Everett Mocassin-Bourke - MJ Independent photo

PA Carlton’s Zane Litzenberger is heavily guarded - MJ Independent photo

Holy Cross’ Jacob Colding (left) tries to stop PA Carlton’s Clarence Ermine from making a shot - MJ Independent photo

PA Carlton’s Clarence Ermine (right) waits to make a shot against a jumping Holy Cross defender - MJ Independent photo

PA Carlton’s Emerson MacCuaig (left) faces off against Holy Cross’ Jacob Codling - MJ Independent photo

PA Carlton’s Emerson MacCuaig (left) looks for an opening while heavily guarded - MJ Independent photo

Holy Cross’ Sym Tyson (left) looks for a shot against PA Carlton’s Josh Climenhaga - MJ Independent photo

PA Carlton’s Clarence Ermine (left) tries to prevent a drive to the basket by Holy Cross’ Paul Peterson - MJ Independent photo

Holy Cross’ Sym Tyson (left) cuts in against PA Carlton’s Josh Climenhaga - MJ Independent photo

PA Carlton’s Clarence Ermine (left) is covered by Holy Cross’ Luca Pek - MJ Independent photo

Holy Cross’ Luca Pek looses his footing pressured by PA Carlton’s Clarence Ermine - MJ Independent photo

Holy Cross’ Lucian Tyson goes up for a shot - MJ Independent photo

Hoisting the trophy - MJ Independent photo

The Scotesheet