Let’s play it again: Rematches in boys, girls high school hoops finals

Article content

One year ago, Walter Murray pulled off a double-double in high school hoops at the expense of Holy Cross. On Saturday, the two schools are again at the centre of the basketball world in Saskatoon.

Article content

Article content

As the Marauders and Crusaders meet in both the girls and boys Premiere Division city finals, here are five things to know about the basketball post-season:

1 — STAR POWER

Article content

The boys final features one of the greatest high-school hoopers to ever suit up in the city, closing out what is expected to be his final season at Walter Murray even though he’s only in Grade 11.

Zach Hawley — the sharp-shooting, high-scoring guard — has committed to joining Edge School in Calgary, where he will play for the prep basketball program next season. To this point, his resume since Grade 9 includes a city and provincial championship; MVP awards to go with Bedford Road Invitational Tournament (BRIT) and Luther Invitational Tournament (LIT) titles; and adding his name into the conversation alongside all-time Saskatoon greats such as Byron Tokarchuk, Alison Lang, Andrew Spagrud, Roger Ganes, Carolyn Ganes, Kevin Hollman and more.

This year, the Marauders have relied on Hawley along with backcourt mates Faisal Mahadhi and Isak Larsen.

Holy Cross, meanwhile, has been anchored by senior standouts Kian Tyson and Moe Osman.

On the girls side, Walter Murray is led by a trio of returning starters: league leading scorer Ryan Deutscher, Sydney Deibert and Juliette Smith.

Article content

Article content

Holy Cross, meanwhile, has relied largely on Grade 12 star Taylor Randall, along with sister duo Sloane Holt-Mellor and Grier Holt-Mellor.

2 — REMATCHES IN BOTH FINALS

One year ago, the Murray girls beat Cross 77-50 to claim their first city title since 1995. The Murray boys won their first city crown since 1990 with a 110-99 win over Cross.

On Saturday, the girls final tips off at 4 p.m., followed by the boys at 6 p.m. Both games are at Bedford Road.

3 — TOO CLOSE TO CALL

Though Walter Murray girls (6-1 in official league standings) finished as league champs and top seed, second-ranked Holy Cross (6-1) has a 2-1 record against the Marauders. The Crusaders beat Murray in November in a pre-season game and again in January in seeding pool action, followed by a Murray win this month in official league play.

Through seven league games and two playoff contests, Murray is scoring 70.6 points per game and giving up 42.6 points.

Cross has averaged 72.8 points per game while allowing 46 points per game.

The top-ranked Cross boys (7-0) and second-ranked Murray (6-1) have split four games. Cross won in the pre-season, Murray pulled wins out in seeding pool play and the final of the Marauders’ tournament in February, before Cross dominated two weeks ago to determine league champion and No. 1 seed.

Article content

Through seven league games and two playoff contests, Cross is averaging 87.8 points per game and surrendering just 60.4 points.

Murray, meanwhile, is scoring 106.6 points per game while giving up 76.7 points per game.

4 — HOOPLA SPOTS UP FOR GRABS

While the boys and girls finalists have guaranteed themselves berths next weekend at Hoopla provincial championships, the other remaining spots from Saskatoon will go to the winners of Saturday’s third-place games.

On the boys side, No. 3 St. Joseph (5-2) takes on No. 4 Bethlehem (3-4) at 2 p.m. In the girls draw, No. 3 Centennial (5-2) faces No. 4 St. Joseph (5-2) at 12 noon.

5 — BEDFORD, TOMMY DOUGLAS CLAIM TITLES

In the girls Championship Division final (for schools with smaller enrolments or participation numbers), the top-ranked Bedford Road Redhawks knocked off second-ranked Saskatoon Christian School 54-48 on Tuesday.

It was a historic evening for the Redhawks. The win gave Bedford the school’s first senior girls basketball city title since the squad won five straight between 1973 and 1977.

In the boys Championship Division final, No. 3-ranked Tommy Douglas upset top seed Evan Hardy 73-70. That win came after a semifinal victory for the Tigers over No. 2-ranked Bedford Road.

Article content