Saints Close the Season at 1A Provincial Championships

Jacquie Stuart St. Mary’s High School

For the past three years, the St. Mary’s Sr. Boys basketball team has had the goal to make it to ASAA provincials at least once. Two weeks ago, that dream came true and the Saints headed on a long trek down to Stirling, Alberta for the 1A Provincial Championship tournament. Going into the tournament ranked #8 meant that the team potentially would have to play two games on opening day, with the second game against the #1 seeded team, in front of their home crowd. On Thursday morning, the team played amazing, defeating JT Foster from Nanton to put the team on the winning side of the draw and put us up against Stirling that afternoon. Our game against Stirling was tough and the boys played hard from the start to the end, but unfortunately, we lost. That loss put us in the running for playing for consolation and we were up against Rosemary on Friday afternoon, who went into Provincials seeded #4. On Friday, the boys played their absolute hardest again from start to finish, and were in the game, but came up short in the end. The second loss meant that the Saints finished 7/8 overall in the tournament.

Many people – parents, students, sponsors, and fans – have supported our team throughout the season this year and made both our home tournament and our Provincials trip possible. The incredible season we have had wouldn’t have been possible without the teachers at St. Mary’s for accommodating and allowing students leeway for assignments and tests missed because we were gone to a tournament. Throughout the season, the athletes were cheered on by the school community, staff, and students, who have supported us from afar since December.

The parents who have, for the last few years, picked up their sons from practices and tournaments, driven out to watch us play, and supported us in every way possible are at the heart of our team. And lastly, to the players on the team - your dedication for the last 3 years has been amazing and we certainly wouldn’t have made it to Provincials without your hard work! It was an amazing season, and as a coach, I was happy to be part of it.