Chinook SD Sports focus on birdies and basketball

The last winter activity on the SHSAA calendar, basketball, is winding down. Practices have begun for junior and senior badminton and, hard to believe, track and field can start in two weeks and golf 2019 in three weeks!! Follow all the sports happenings on “SWACSports” Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

REGIONAL BASKETBALL

The Herbert Laurel boys and Shaunavon Silhouettes attended SHSAA Regional Basketball. The top 16 1A and 2A teams are seeded and then placed into one of four regional tournaments around the province. Shaunavon Silhouettes (#12 seed) were at Saskatoon Christian Academy and Herbert Laurels(#9 seed) played their regional tournament in Lake Lenore. Only one team advances to HOOPLA out of each Regional.

Shaunavon played #5 seed Asquith and lost 66-46. In the consolation game, the Silhouettes lost 72-40 to Saskatoon Christian. Herbert boys were beaten by #9 seed Mistawasis (89-79) in the first round. The boys dropped into the consolation game, losing 76-68 to Maidstone.

The SCCHS Arden and Colt teams started their run at the 5A provincial championship at Regionals on March 15/16. All 5A teams in the province (excluding Saskatoon/Regina) are at this tournament. The top 3 teams qualify for the SHSAA Provincial Championship – HOOPLA. The Colts (#7 seed) were at the 8 team Regional in Yorkton and the Ardens (#2 seed) were at a 6 team Regional at PA Carlton.

The SC Colts lost to #2 seed Estevan (57-97)in their first game. In the consolation game, the Colts finished their season with a strong 99-76 win over North Battleford Comp.

The SCCHS Ardens earned a bye in the first round because of their top 2 ranking. They played #3 Weyburn in the semi-final. The Ardens cruised to a 67-47 victory (and an automatic berth at HOOPLA)!! SC girls came up against #1 seed PA Carlton in the final. The short turn around between games took its toll, and the Ardens lost 75-53. Congratulations to the Ardens, who will be SWAC’s lone representative at HOOPLA 2019.

BADMINTON

Playoff dates and sites for junior and senior badminton are set. All junior section badminton takes place on Saturday, April 27. Whitemud juniors in Eastend, Cypress Hills juniors in Leader, Rolling Hills A in Herbert and Rolling Hills B in Ponteix. The SWAC junior badminton championship is Saturday, May 4 in Swift Current.

Senior badminton sectionals are on Saturday, April 13. Whitemud seniors are in Frontier, Cypress seniors in Leader and Rolling Hills seniors in Swift Current. The SWAC senior badminton championship is on Saturday, April 27 in Swift Current (where we have the luxury of using 8 courts).

We are thrilled that the site for the 2019 SHSAA Provincial Badminton Championship was awarded to Swift Current. That championship takes place on May 11. Make sure to mark your calendars.

TRACK AND FIELD

Athletes and coaches are excited to get outside and start the track and field season. Both of our section meets and the SWAC championship will be held on the ‘all weather’ track and field facility at SCCHS. The BLUE section track meet (Rolling Hills) is on Wednesday, May 22.

The WHITE section track and field meet (Whitemud and Cypress Hills combined) is on Thursday, May 23. The SWAC championship is on Wednesday, May 29.