The JPII junior boys (top left), junior girls (top right), and senior girls (bottom) each took home hardware in their first tournament of the season. (Facebook/John Paul II Collagate)

By Martin Martinson

On the hardcourt

Crusaders basketball program off to sizzling start this season

Dec 6, 2022 | 5:04 PM

It’s been nothing but net for John Paul II Collegiate, to open the high school basketball season.

The Crusaders’ senior girls took home a gold medal on their home court in North Battleford over the weekend, while the junior boys also topped the podium with gold, and junior girls won silver, each in Lloydminster.

Senior girls

The senior girls’ gold came in front of a full house of supporters at the Crusaders’ home gym, as the team fired off three straight victories, beating Lloydminster Comprehensive and Nipawin, before topping Warman 43-27 in the final to top the podium.

Head coach Bruce Yockey said the team hit the ground running and played to their strengths.

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“We’re a smaller team, but we’re fairly quick and we shoot pretty well from the outside,” Yockey said. “We got some key threes and we have a couple of girls who really get to the basket well on the inside that played really well too. It was a nice start, but we’re also just getting started; this group will just get better and better as the year goes on.”

Following the victory on their home court, the senior girls will now get set to return to action Dec 9 to 10 in Humboldt.

Junior boys

The junior boys swept their opponents on the weekend, going 4-0 on their way to the gold, with wins over Lloyd’s E.S. Laird, Holy Rosary 1, North Battleford Comprehensive High School, and Holy Rosary 2.

Head coach Nate Jurgens said it was evident from the get-go the team was ready to go and looking forward to the competition.

“They just play with a love for the game, and you could tell the boys were excited to get out and play their first couple of games,” Jurgens said. “They came out and ran really hard and were working from whistle to whistle. They were hungry to get out there and compete in some gameplay, and they really communicated well.”

The junior boys will return to play for an exhibition game next Monday, Dec. 12 in Lloydminster. The team will then play their next tournament across town at NBCHS Dec. 16 to 17.

Junior girls

The junior girls won three of their four games en route to the silver, advancing to the finals with a win over Bishop Lloyd, finishing runner-up to Holy Rosary 1.

Head coach of the junior girls, Kristina Binette said she was proud of the way the team came out of the gates this season.

“The team played really well,” Binette said. “They learned a lot and got better each game. They’re a coachable team [and] they worked hard and had fun. I can’t ask for more than that.”

The junior girls will now get a weekend off, before also returning to tournament play at NBCHS Dec. 16 to 17.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1