Cyclones Dominate Vikings In Semifinal Matchup
Win Sets Up Much Anticipated Rematch In Senior Boys City League Final
It was a bit of a slow start for the Central Cyclones senior boys versus the Vanier Vikings in one of two Moose Jaw High School Athletics Association (MJHSAA) semifinal games.
But once the transmission got warmed up the Cyclones tank - despite how hard the Vikings worked - was nearly impenetrable and seemingly motored past their opponents.
At the end of 40 minutes of play the Cyclones won 120 - 29 earning them a spot in this Monday’s final against the Peacock Toilers.
The much anticipated rematch from last year’s final is on.
Quarter Scores
First Quarter Central - 28 Vanier - 5
Second Quarter Central - 64 Vanier - 15
Third Quarter Central - 92 Vanier - 24
Fourth Quarter Central - 120 Vanier - 29
Top Scorers For Vanier
Jared M - 16 points
Hayden M - 6 points
Top Scorers For Central
Ben Ansell - 28 points
Chase Seaborn - 25 points
“I thought we played well. We looked like we were a little bit tired from not being able to practice since last Friday. I still thought we ran OK but we were a little rusty to start,” Central Cyclones head coach Barry Seaborn said in the post game interview.
For most of the first two minutes of play the Vikings held a slim one point lead as the Cyclones seemed unable to get anything going.
The Cyclones missed the first six or seven shots in those first couple of minutes.
“We were just rusty. But the kids played good. They played hard. They worked hard I thought. But I think we need to get our legs back under us,” Seaborn said.
About Monday evening Moose Jaw city league final he said the Cyclones are prepping to take on the Peacock Toilers.
“Swift Current is a good team. But Peacock is a really good team. So that is who we are going to be prepping to play - Peacock.”
In their last matchup the Toilers dealt the Cyclones their first defeat of the season in the city league.
With the final this coming Monday evening - due to moving the final because of sanctions against extracurricular activities by the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation in their fight against the provincial government - it will be tight for the Cyclones to prep.
Plans call for the Cyclones to practice Friday, Saturday and maybe an hour at the SaskPoly gym on Monday.
However Friday might be a no go as the Cyclones will be playing regionals then.
“It’s a quick turnaround,” he said.
Initially the final game had been set to take place on Thursday but instead the semifinals were scheduled for then.
“We’ll be prepared. We’ll be ready to go. It will be a great game. It always is a good game.”
Despite holding the top record for senior boys in the Moose Jaw city league Seaborn said the Toilers are favourites in the final.
“They won it last year so we have got to go and get them,” he said, adding “we are the underdogs right now.”
Seaborn said Peacock can be beaten if “you put the work in.”
“We will. We will put the work in.”
The scoresheet