For the first time since 2012, the HCI Mohawks Senior Girls basketball team will represent Humboldt at HOOPLA.

The Mohawks paced to a 59-29 win over the Assiniboia Rockets in Saturday's Regional Final.

Coach Kerri Archibald says that the team has come a long way from their humble beginnings in November.

"At the start of the season, HOOPLA wasn't on our radar. We improved a lot over the season, in fact I don't even have hotel rooms booked, so its a wonderful surprise and the girls have worked hard for it."

Archibald complimented the team's work ethic and determination for turning things around and being able to make a season to remember that will now end in Moose Jaw.

"They practice every Monday morning, they come work on individual skills. We practice every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday after school, they shoot three or four times a week, so they kinda eat, sleep, live basketball and I think the fact that they're willing to put the time in and work hard has really paid off for us."

The resurgence of the Mohawks was led by Grade 12 standout Angela Baran, who scored 38 points in the semi-final before adding 21 more in the final.

Being able to make it to HOOPLA has been a goal for her, according to Archibald.

"I was a little worried we weren't going to fulfill that dream for her," she said. "About February is when we really turned the corner and I saw lots of potential. The closer we got to it and the more realistic it became, I'm excited for me and the whole team, but I'm very excited for her because I know how hard she has worked."

As for how the Mohawks were able to breakthrough and get to this point, Baran noted that is was the team rallying together and making it happen.

"We had to come together as a team. We're playing for our coach Mr. Kevin Grieman. He's with us, and we had to do it for him, so we had to push the intensity."

Grieman, who was still coaching with the team prior to his tragic passing on February 24, has left a lasting legacy that Baran says will stay with her.

"The last things he said to me was 'stop whining and make the next play', and I really will take that with me now the rest of my basketball career, because its true, I got to get on to the next play when I make a mistake and put the energy into the team."

Archibald added that Grieman's presence was definitely felt in the final game.

"His pre-game chats before big games, he would say 'work hard and hope the basketball gods shine down on you'. I think we had the basketball god shining down on us today."

The Mohawks will meet the Lumsden Devils in the provincial semi-final Friday. Game times for HOOPLA will be determined once the field is finalized.

Kerri Archibald

Angela Baran