The Saskatchewan High School Athletic Association provincial curling championships concluded this past weekend across multiple Saskatchewan locations, featuring competitions in girls', mixed, doubles, and boys' categories. Local teams from areas like Wynyard, Wadena, and Estevan secured medals, including two golds. Close matches defined the tournaments, with several games decided by a single point.
The SHSAA provincial curling bonspiels took place in Martensville for girls, Moose Jaw for mixed and boys, and Estevan for doubles. In the girls' competition in Martensville, Dinsmore entered the consolation bracket after a 12-2 loss to Estevan, followed by an 11-2 defeat to Kincaid, ending their run. Saskatoon Holy Cross claimed gold by winning five consecutive games after an initial loss.
In mixed play at Moose Jaw's Temple Gardens Centre, Unity suffered an early exit with a 7-6 loss to Yorkton Regional and a 10-4 defeat to Moose Jaw Central. Wadena secured gold after an undefeated start led to a page playoff loss against Warman; they then won 7-6 over Moose Jaw Central and 7-2 against Warman in the final rematch.
The doubles provincials in Estevan saw intense action. Beechy opened with a 7-6 victory over the host team but lost 7-6 to eventual champion Prince Albert St. Mary 1 and 6-4 to Mossbank. Estevan Comprehensive School's team, consisting of Luke and Easton, earned bronze. Coached by Kyle Whitehead, they started with a 7-6 loss to Beechy, rebounded with 10-3 over Moose Jaw Central and 12-7 against Weyburn Comprehensive, then on Saturday beat Mossbank 11-4 before a 7-3 semifinal loss to St. Mary. They clinched bronze 8-7 over Mossbank in a nail-biter. Prince Albert won gold with a 7-3 final victory over Muenster, who took silver after an undefeated run to the championship. Muenster had earlier topped Prince Albert 11-8 in the page playoff.
In boys' provincials at Moose Jaw, Wynyard defended their title with an undefeated 4-0 record, outscoring opponents 40-13 for a +27 differential to claim gold.
Whitehead described the doubles event as 'two very long days,' with his players competing in all draws over 12 hours. He praised the close finishes, noting 'lots of 7-6s, eight-sevens a couple times,' and highlighted Estevan's growing junior curling talent.
