The McLurg Broncs are competing at 2A Girls Hoopla this weekend. (Submitted photo/McLurg High School)
Provincial return

McLurg girls basketball makes first Hoopla appearance since 2012

Mar 23, 2022 | 4:59 PM

Wilkie is among multiple schools in the northwest region seeing their basketball squad move on to Hoopla 2022 this weekend.

The McLurg High School girls’ team won regionals at home on Saturday, easily defeating Asquith 83-48 before defeating Hepburn 73-57 in the final. It’s the program’s first appearance in the provincial competition for high school basketball since 2012.

Coach Mark Myszczyszyn said it was exciting to win in front of their fans and qualify for Hoopla, praising his players for all contributing to the victory.

“You can’t shut down one player on our team and limit us,” he said. “That bodes well for our chances, you key on player and someone else will pick up the slack.”

The Broncs have had a spectacular 2A season, losing just two games all year; one to top ranked Wynyard and the other North Battleford 4A school JP II. For Myszczyszyn, it’s been particularly special coaching this team, given it’s a family affair. Three of his daughters, who are in Grades 12, 10 and 9, have played important roles in McLurg’s success.

“I hope they say the same,” he laughed. “I’m the luckiest coach around.”

Ranked second in the province among 2A schools, the Broncs will face Moose Jaw Cornerstone in the semifinals on Friday. Myszczyszyn stressed that they don’t need to change much, but will have to utilize their strengths from tip-off in order to get to their goal of the gold medal game.

“We’ve got a lot of athleticism and speed,” he said. “If we can control the pace of the game and run everyone hard, I have depth that a lot of other teams won’t have.”

“I sure hope we can get to that final game, it would be really exciting, against the hosts Wynyard likely.”

The game is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. and will be live streamed on the SHSAA website, where brackets and schedules are also available.

cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com

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