Esterhazy coach gives back through energy, competitiveness
Mar 24, 2025
"Just because you're from a small town doesn't mean you can't go far."
Hundreds of people filled the gym at St. Joseph High School in Saskatoon on Saturday for the final two games of the 2025 Hoopla provincial basketball tournament.
In the 5A girls final, Regina LeBoldus Golden Suns matched up against Swift Current Ardens and from tip-off it was all Regina, as they found early success leading 46-33 at halftime.
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When LeBoldus hit the court in the second half the team continued its march to victory, eventually winning the provincial championship 81-59.
LeBoldus head coach Garret Kot credited his team’s success to his players who were willing to work hard all season.
“(The) girls played good defence, which for us leads to leak outs and layups,” he said.
It wasn’t an easy road to the finals as LeBoldus was without star player Nicola Medan, who was invited to Team Canada’s U16 Women’s team assessment camp.
Kot said he was impressed to see how the rest of the team stepped up.
“We’re missing a key player this weekend, but all the girls outplayed themselves (and) over compensated for what we missed,” he said.
LeBoldus’ Tatum Milligan picked up the heavy lifting, as almost every play funnelled through her, Kot said
“Yesterday and today she’s fabulous. These last two high school games she played amazing,” he said. “She’s five foot three, works her tail off. She’s getting knocked down, going to the line, the whole bit.”
Holy Cross Crusaders beat Walter Murray Marauders 93-91 in the 5A boys provincial basketball final in Saskatoon on March 22, 2025. (Will Mandzuk/650CKOM)
Holy Cross wins 93-91 over Walter Murray
It was an all Saskatoon matchup in the 5A boys final and a city finals rematch as Holy Cross Crusaders and Walter Murray Marauders once again found themselves on opposite sides of the court.
The first two quarters provided back-and-forth action resulting in a Walter Murray lead at halftime.
But when Holy Cross returned to the court to start the third quarter it was all gas and no brakes.
“We talked in our room and tried to make some adjustments,” said Josh Rutten, head coach of the Crusaders.
“We felt they were getting downhill and kicking out for open threes, so we tried to change some things defensively to see if we could limit that”
With nine seconds left Walter Murray found themselves at the free-throw line with a chance to end it, but two missed free throws resulted in a Holy Cross possession with three seconds left.
Gloom Bein had the game on his fingertips for Holy Cross as he floated in the buzzer beating layup to give Holy Cross a 93-91 victory.
Last week it was Walter Murrary who stunned Holy Cross with a buzzer-beater of their own in the city final.
Rutten said it was nice to get that one back.
“We’re down the block from each other, and in the past few years, it’s been us two at the top of the basketball scene,” he said.
“We were hoping we’d see Walter Murray in the final and hopefully have a chance at playing them again.”
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