Central Thankful To Teachers And SHSAA For One Last Game
“HONESTLY YOU HAVE GOT TO THANK THE TEACHERS BECAUSE HONESTLY I THINK THEY’RE THE ONES WHO MADE THIS HAPPEN” - BARRY SEABORN HEAD COACH CENTRAL CYCLONES
“It’s kind of been an emotional rollercoaster these last two months,” Central Cyclones head coach Barry Seaborn describes the climatic finish to the 2023 - 2024 season.
Just a few hours before it looked like this year’s basketball season was a total scrub with teachers withdrawing extracurricular services for this coming Thursday and Friday. Effectively cancelling the provincial finals basketball tournament, Hoopka, this season.
Nothing short of a miracle saved what little could be saved.
“I was resigned to the fact on Tuesday night we wouldn’t be playing it because it sure didn’t look good. And Inat the end of practice, you know, thanked them all for the hard work all year because I thought it was over,” Seaborn said.
“ I had my cry with them. It was really emotional. I felt bad to the point that some of those grade 12s aren’t going to get to play their last game. The emotional side kicked in and then about just after three (pm) we were given a little bit of hope that something may be coming down the pipeline,” he said.
THE CENTRAL CYCLONES IN BLACK VERSUS THE PEACOCK TOILERS IN ORANGE - MJ INDEPENDENT FILE PHOTO
Seaborn said the Cyclones were going to do their best and play it like a championship game.
“There are four good teams and anyone of them could’ve been there. But I’d like to think we would be one of the ones because we have been playing really well lately and that was an expectation play well and hopefully when that game and be in the final.”
Despite the championship game matchups been decided where teams were seeded in the tournament Seaborn said teams who didn’t make the gold medal final are happy that they get a game. Any chance at the bronze medal.
“I’m happy that everybody gets a kick at it because when I first thought about it, I thought it was only gold medal games only.”
Seaborn said he initially felt the Cyclones winning a Regionals championship this past Saturday afternoon was the team’s last game of the season.
“I felt when we played her last regional game I felt that was it. And it was tough because you didn’t know what to say to the kids…it just makes discussion with him a little bit different,” he said. “I’m glad it’s not and I’m glad things got worked out.”
Seaborn said credit for getting the games on Saturday should go to the teachers.
“Honestly you have got to thank the teachers because honestly I think they’re the ones who made this happen,” he said.
“I honestly don’t think this would’ve happened if they didn’t step up.”
STUDENTS RALLY IN FRONT OF MOOSE JAW CITY HALL AT LUNCHTIME ON MONDAY - MJ INDEPENDENT FILE PHOTO
Asked about the students who rallied to see if hoopla Seaborn said “ I thought it was great.”
“We talked to the kids in the morning and said you know how to experience something like this you should go out and fight you know and fight for your season.”
The players expressing their views was important.
“It’s important for people to hear your voice. There’s nothing wrong with you going out to do that.
He called it “neat” to see all of the Moose Jaw teams show up and rally to save Hoopla.
Seaborn said school was important, but also at the same time athletics are important as well. All of the extracurricular activities, including such things as music and drama, are highly important to the students, he said.
About the matchup against arch rivals the Peacock Toilers Seaborn said he was excited for the kids.
“I think it’s going to be a great game. Because I think those kids realize they have a second life now.”
About the match up with Peacock being important because they were supposed to face Central in the job action cancelled city league final Seaborn shed. City finals were important, but the team was going to play like they were playing for a provincial championship.
THE CENTRAL CYCLONES IN BLACK VERSUS THE PEACOCK TOILERS IN ORANGE - MJ INDEPENDENT FILE PHOTO
“This is what you want. You want to be able to hang a banner in your gym. The other one is part of the journey and cool the win but this is the one you want to win.”
“In the end if somebody calls that it’s whatever we’re just happy to have this one last game and hopefully go get it.”
Despite the 4A senior boys match up between Peacock and Central he said, there are many other teams playing in the tournament, especially Regina, where it could be expected to have large turnouts.
Everyone gets a game, he said.
Additionally the four other Moose Jaw teams should draw large crowds.