The JPII senior girls basketball team pose for a picture following their tournament win over the weekend. (Facebook/JPII Collegiate)

By Martin Martinson

Crusaders make mark

JPII senior basketball teams shine in Lloydminster

Jan 31, 2022 | 5:00 PM

John Paul II Collegiate (JPII) is coming off another weekend to remember for their senior basketball program in Lloydminster.

The senior girls topped the podium with a gold medal, while the senior boys won silver in a strong weekend showing at the Hugh Morrell Border City Classic.

The Crusaders senior girls opened their schedule with a bang, defeating the hosts from Lloydminster Comprehensive, 68-44, before also besting Holy Rosary, 54-33, to clinch their spot in the finals against St. Walburg/Paradise Hill. There they took home a 72-48 win to earn their second tournament gold of the season.

The tournament win came despite the team being a bit shorthanded, missing a pair of key players at the point guard and forward positions. Though as coach of the senior girls, Bruce Yockey, said, the team’s resiliency allowed them to find success through their play at both ends of the court.

“What impressed me was our girls’ work ethic,” Yockey said. “We played really solid defense which was probably our biggest strength and we ran the floor well and scored a ton of fast-break points. I was impressed with their work ethic and they were tireless this weekend.”

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The senior girls are scheduled to return to action this coming weekend, Feb. 4-5 at North Battleford Comprehensive High School (NBCHS).

The JPII senior boys basketball team pose for a team picture after taking silver in Lloydminster. (Facebook/JPII Collegiate)

The senior boys had a similar weekend result, winning two of their three games overall on their way to the silver medal.

Opening their tournament with a 75-65 victory over Lloyd Comprehensive, the boys then topped Vermillion in convincing fashion, 98-50, to earn their spot in the gold medal final where they fell to Prince Albert Carlton.

“The boys played very well and played a high-paced game where everybody contributed,” coach, Sheldon Rivet said. “Everybody on our bench got to see lots of playing time, so that was fun for our guys and it was really good to see.”

The senior boys will return to tournament action in Prince Albert the weekend of Feb. 10-12.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1