Eight teams from the Humboldt area, including the HCI Mohawks Senior Girls, walked away with conference championships Saturday, as the first step to HOOPLA began.

Conference championships are played out for teams in 1A to 3A classifications.

The Mohawks visited Birch Hills for 3A conference playdowns, entering the tournament as the top seed.

In their first game they defeated Prince Albert Collegiate 90-48 to advance to the conference final where they knocked off the host Marauders 68-37 to secure the title.

The Clavet Cougars also secured a 3A title, defeating Osler VCA 80-37.

In 2A girls conference play, the Wynyard Bears downed Langenburg 91-38 in the final.

Lake Lenore hosted 1A playdowns with another classic battle between the Lancers and Middle Lake taking place in the final. The Avengers took the conference with a 48-44 win, continuing on their path to seek a third straight provincial championship.

The Foam Lake girls also took their 1A conference with a 65-43 win over Canora.

Much like the girls, the Middle Lake and Lake Lenore boys had a down to the wire battle in their conference final. The Avengers took the win 79-76 to secure the title.

In St. Brieux, the host Crusaders rolled to the championship with a 112-46 win over Porcupine Plain.

One 3A boys conference playdown had Wynyard taking the title with a 67-31 win over Watrous.

A total of 13 teams advanced to regionals from the conference playoffs, which take place March 11-12. They include: Foam Lake, Lake Lenore, Middle Lake, Wynyard, Kelvington, Naicam, Humboldt, Clavet (Girls) and Lake Lenore, Middle Lake, St. Brieux, Wynyard, Watrous (Boys).

Seeds for regionals will be revealed Monday.