Saskatoon High School Basketball Playoffs Set to Begin with Championship Aspirations
Athletes from high schools across Saskatoon are preparing for what they hope will be extended playoff runs as the city league basketball postseason gets underway this week. The regular season concluded on March 11, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting championship tournament.
Playoff Schedule and Venues
The Championship Division city final is scheduled for March 18 at the home court of the highest remaining seed. Meanwhile, the Premiere Division playoffs will commence two days later on March 20 at the Kelly Bowers Gymnasium located within Bedford Road Collegiate.
"Our goal is to get better every time we step on the floor and to be playing our best basketball at the end of the season," said one coach, echoing the sentiment shared by many teams entering the postseason.
Recent Championship History
The Walter Murray Marauders have established themselves as a dominant force in recent city championships. In the boys division, Faisal Mahadhi and the Marauders narrowly defeated the Holy Cross Crusaders 87-86 in the 2025 city championship game at Bedford Road. Similarly, in the girls division, Ryan Deutscher led the Walter Murray Marauders to a 69-66 victory over the Holy Cross Crusaders in the 2025 city finals.
Team Snapshots and Expectations
Aden Bowman Bears (Girls)
Coach Nicole Poier leads a team anchored by co-captains Bridgit Milne and Zelene Zehtab-Jadid, both returning starters from last season. The Bears roster features a mix of players from Grade 12 through Grade 9, with team connectivity and depth identified as key strengths.
"All of the girls will be required to play a significant role," noted Poier. The team finished fifth in league play in the Premier Division last year and lost in the quarter-finals. This season, they've already shown promise with a single-point victory in the Bowlt pre-season tournament and a consolation final win in Vancouver.
Bedford Road Redhawks (Girls)
Under Coach Mia Cottini, the Redhawks feature a young squad without any Grade 12 players this year. Key players to watch include Hillary Block (Grade 11, High Post), Ayesha Khan (Grade 11, Post), Warda Mohamed (Grade 11, Power Forward), and Namroop Salooja (Grade 11, Shooting Guard).
Despite their youth, the team remains competitive within the league and recently claimed the Orange division Bowlt Championship. Last season, the Redhawks completed an undefeated regular season and won the Championship Division title.
Bethlehem Stars (Girls)
Coach Dominic Gursky's team features several standout players including Annia Dimaguila (Grade 10, Point Guard), a returning player described as a "true point guard" who excels at involving teammates while creating her own shots. Anne Besong (Grade 11, Forward) brings two years of starting experience with a unique blend of size and athleticism that creates difficult matchups for opponents.
Tomi Oresanya (Grade 10, Post) has developed into one of the team's most dependable players since joining as a Grade 9 student last year. Standing 6'2" with a 6'7" wingspan, she presents incredible size in the post and consistently contributes rebounds, points, and blocks.
Building Toward Championship Moments
As teams prepare for the playoffs, coaches emphasize development and gradual improvement throughout the season. Many programs are using this postseason as a building opportunity for future success while remaining competitive in the present.
The coming weeks will determine which teams can maintain their momentum through the playoff bracket and ultimately claim city championship titles in both divisions. With multiple competitive programs and talented athletes across Saskatoon, the basketball community anticipates thrilling matchups and memorable performances as the postseason unfolds.
