Dual gold medals see JPII on top

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Bluesky
• Share on X
• Copy Link

The Vikings took the opening set 25-13, before the Crusaders came charging back in the second with a big 25-9 counter. Heading into the third set the contest was up for grabs; it was still anyone’s game.

Provincial Politics

Sask. Speaker says legislature not out of control

31m ago

Back at base

Canadian astronaut and Artemis II crew return to Houston

36m ago

Moving ahead

Liberal party adopts motion to restrict kids from social media

6h ago

Sensing the gravity of the moment and seizing the opportunity, the blue and yellow Crusaders completed their quest and overcame adversity to the tune of a gritty 15-11 victory.

No doubt harnessing the momentum of the semi-finals series, the junior boys, brimming with confidence and riding high, rolled through Bishop Lloyd in the finals, taking the championship in straight sets, 25-19 in the first and 25-13 in the second to seal the first place finish.

For the John Paul II junior girls, their trek to the top was more of an underdog tale or at least it was on paper. One of 15 junior girls teams in the tournament, things got off to a bit of a shaky start, with the Crusaders finishing third of the five teams in their pool.  

However, as those who have followed the team this season can attest, this is one premier club. Boasting a 29-4 record on the season, this was a team that knew how to win and do so in dominating fashion.

The result of their third-place finish in the division was a first round matchup against the top seeded Jonas Samson Stingers, playing in the Stingers’ home gym.

Banding together and facing the tough test head-on with intensity, the team stormed head-first into their first round showdown.

Thoroughly embracing their camouflaging underdog status, the team pulled out a 25-23 victory in the first set, before parlaying that momentum further to flex their killer instinct to the tune of a 25-22 win in the second, completing the sweep of the hometown favorites in two straight sets.

The girls’ confidence just continued to snowball, with the team destroying anything in their path.

After demolishing Lloydminster College Park in straight sets in round two, and handing Wilkie a similar fate in the semi-finals, the junior girls Crusaders played at the top of their game entering the finals.

For their sixth match on the day, and fourth of the playoffs, the girls from JPII once again were staring down a promising team from Lloydminster, in the form of Bishop Lloyd Middle School.

Unfortunately for Lloyd, the two-hour trip to Meadow Lake would provide a silver, as the Crusaders, once again claimed victory over their counterpart in straight-sets, winning 25-21 and 25-22 respectively, to capture the tournament title.

The conference playoffs will begin this weekend with the top four teams advancing to the district championships to conclude the season. Needless to say, John Paul II looks to be a real threat to continue their dominance and make some noise to end the season on a high.

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1