Sports This Week: Royals prepare for conference basketball playoffs

By David McIver

The Rosetown Central High School senior basketball teams head into conference playoffs this weekend, with the girls competing in Biggar and the boys in Watrous.

The senior girls Royals will face the host Biggar Blazers along with teams from Maidstone, Delisle, Unity and LCBI. The top four teams will advance to regional playoffs hosted by a West Central District school, meaning the next round could be played in Unity, Biggar or Rosetown.

The Royals were scheduled to play in a tournament in Unity this past weekend. Earlier, they won the consolation side of a tournament in Assiniboia on Feb. 27-28.

They dropped their opening game 48-31 to LCBI High School but rebounded with a 33-19 win over Oxbow before claiming the consolation final 51-26 over Saskatoon Christian School.

“The girls really clicked on Saturday and played great team basketball,” said Royals coach Trinity Grant. “This was very encouraging as we enter the last few weeks of the season and gear up for playoffs.”

The senior boys Royals will meet the host Watrous Wildcats along with teams from Delisle, Outlook, LCBI and Biggar. Two teams from that tournament will advance to regional playoffs.

The boys were scheduled to compete in a tournament in Kindersley this past weekend after going winless in a Davidson tournament Feb. 27-28 and dropping two home games last week.

Rosetown lost 63-33 to the LCBI Bisons on Thursday. Glen Matro Jr. led the Royals with nine points while Wyatt Perry added five. Gavin Shepherd topped the Bisons with 11 points.

Jaevin Nedjelski left the game before the end after feeling unwell.

“He’s been dealing with a bug this week and thought he was feeling better and, partway through the game, wasn’t feeling so hot,” said Royals coach Ben Cressman.

Rosetown played a closer game Tuesday, falling 67-51 to the visiting John Paul II B team. Luke Harrington and Harper Willis each scored 13 points to lead the Royals. Scoring details for the Crusaders were not available at press time.

The Royals also faced Eaton-Westcliffe, Outlook and Coronach at the Davidson tournament.

High school officials finalized conference playoff seedings Wednesday, prior to the LCBI game, so coaches Ben Cressman and Mitchell Wintonyk used the opportunity to give every player ice time.

Because John Paul II is not a 3A school, that result did not count toward standings, Cressman said.

Despite the “ups and downs” of rotating starters and backups, he said the approach allowed players to gain experience.

“It gives them a chance to see what their potential is,” he said.

All players saw the floor Tuesday, rotating five at a time every few minutes.

“It was pretty much an exhibition game,” said Cressman.

Reflecting on the Davidson tournament, he said the team continues to show promise.

“It’s the same issue: We’ve got potential but we just can’t seem to make things click and work out for ourselves,” he said.

“Hopefully we’re all healthy and ready to roll” for conference playoffs, Cressman added Thursday.

For Grade 12 players Gerald Bonyai, Malcolm Ledding, Alex Nickel, Wyatt Perry and Corbin Wiens, the upcoming games will likely be their final appearances in high school basketball.

Bowling

As of Thursday, 24 four-person teams had registered for the Les Wardrop Memorial Tournament, said Penny Andersen of the Rosetown bowling alley.

The event is limited to 30 teams. Last year, 27 teams took part.

Gymnastics

Sixteen members of the Rosetown Gymnastics Club returned with ribbons, medals and a trophy from a meet in Prince Albert held Feb. 28 and March 1.

Competitors receive gold, silver and bronze medals for the top three finishes, with ribbons awarded for fourth through eighth place, said club coach Fern Dyer. Inter-club gymnastics awards medals based on overall scores.

In the bronze Xcel class, Aubrey Lovenuk placed first in vault and floor, third on bars and fourth on beam to claim first place all-around in the 10-and-over category. Kenley Craig, competing in the nine-year-old group, placed second in vault and floor, sixth on bars, eighth on beam and sixth all-around.

Taylor Van Hove earned a gold medal and Piper Rolleston a silver in the inter-club bronze category.

Seven club members competed in three age groups in silver Xcel.

In age group B, Jordyn Ginther finished eighth on vault, sixth on bars, fourth on beam, sixth on floor and sixth all-around. Kamryn Ismond placed fifth on vault, seventh on bars, eighth on beam, third on floor and seventh all-around.

In age group C, Maisie Farden placed fourth on vault, first on bars, second on beam, fifth on floor and second all-around. Ryleigh Herman finished sixth on vault, seventh on bars, fifth on beam, eighth on floor and eighth all-around.

In age group D, Autumn Rolleston placed sixth on vault and second on bars, beam, floor and all-around. Karlee Anholt finished seventh on vault, sixth on bars, fourth on beam and sixth on both floor and all-around. Alice Garbe placed eighth on vault, sixth on beam, eighth on floor and eighth all-around.

Four gymnasts competed in the gold Xcel class.

Paysley Ogilvie placed sixth on vault, third on bars, seventh on beam and floor and sixth all-around in the eight-to-11 age group.

In the 11- and 12-year-old category, Kaia Ginther finished seventh on bars and floor and eighth on beam and all-around. Myla Van Hove placed sixth on vault and Maddi Van Hove eighth on bars.

Freya Farden, competing in platinum Xcel, finished sixth on vault and eighth on bars, beam, floor and all-around, said Dyer.