Because unless there was some sort of bargaining miracle between the Saskatchewan Teacher’s Federation union and Saskatchewan government as of 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, the upcoming regional basketball and Hoopla provincial championships would be cancelled, bringing an end to the 2020 season.
The STF announced on Monday that all extra-curricular activities by teachers would be curtailed as of Thursday; the Saskatchewan High School Athletic Association announced earlier Tuesday that unless the sanctions were lifted by the aforementioned deadline, all basketball playoffs going forward would be cancelled outright due to scheduling and venue concerns.
“When those sanctions votes happened in February, I kind of prepared myself for what could happen,” said Toilers girls head coach Penny Maelde, who saw her charges win their 10th-straight league title. “We talked a lot this season about things we can control and what we can’t, and while we can’t control what’s happening to us we can control how we respond. We can’t control what happens, but we respect the bargaining process and keep our fingers crossed for tomorrow at 3:30 p.m.. But if it doesn’t this is a great way to end the season.”
Cyclones girls head coach Bryan Adams has been at this coaching game for more than 40 years, and only one other time has seen job action cause the cancellation of the season. It wasn’t a good situation then, and it isn’t now.
“You have to feel for all the kids in the province who are playing the game right now, and especially you have to feel for the Grade 12s,” Adams said. “It’s not just this year, some of them have put in four years and a lot of work and to get to this stage and for this to happen is tough.
“But while every player in the province is disappointed they might not get a chance to go to Hoopla, they’re all supporting the teachers. I applaud them for that. Other than that, it’s all politics and I’m not getting into that.”
One of those Grade 12s is Peacock standout Anna Maelde.
“It’s very disappointing how it’s all working out this final year,” she said. “I wish we could play in Hoopla, but at least we’re getting to go out with a smile on our faces.”
Cyclones boys head coach Ryan Boughen will see his team enter the playdowns as the defending 4A boys champions if they go forward. Not having a chance to defend their title is naturally a disappointment.
“I hope for all the kids in the province this isn’t the end, I think we all hope that, and I guess we’ll find out tomorrow,” he said. “It’s a shame, because this is great thing for all of these kids. Everybody feels for the kids who lose out on an opportunity like this.”
That includes Peacock boys head coach Troy Setter, who has seen his crew come on as of late.
“We’ve played well the last five or six games, hopefully this isn’t the end of the year with everything that’s going on, but that’s out of our control,” he said.
The cancellation, according to the SSHAA, would affect 1,700 students, 300 coaches and a large number of other affiliated organizations.
