The Central Cyclones are unbeaten no more.
And the result of their Moose Jaw High Schools Athletic Association senior boys basketball league game against the Peacock Toilers on Tuesday night at Peacock will undoubtedly make things very interesting once things hit the city championship playoffs -- and beyond.
The Toilers turned in a steady and consistent offensive performance on their way to a 111-105 victory in a showdown of two of the league’s top teams, improving their record to 5-2 on the campaign and moving a win clear of Swift Current and into sole possession of second place.
Central, meanwhile, took their first loss of the season and remain in first place with a 6-1 record.
That the game was as close and competitive as it was should have come as no surprise -- the two teams had met in the final of the Peacock tournament a little over a week earlier, with the Cyclones needing a last-second three-pointer from Max Simmons to secure a 90-87 win.
Three-pointers would also factor into Tuesday’s contest, only this time it would be the Toilers making it rain all night long
Peacock would knock down no fewer than 13 shots from beyond the arc, and combined with some impressive work in the paint, always had an answer for Central’s potent offence.
Guard Kai Haughton was the most dangerous shooter on the floor, putting down 35 points including six three-pointers. Mukungu Mutabazi was his usual self with 28 points and Owen Varjassy added 11.
For all that, the Cyclones were right there with the Toilers until late in the game -- Peacock led 27-26 after the first quarter, had a four-point lead at the half and were up by five heading into the final 10 minutes.
Gerritt Gulutzan topped Central with 28 points, while Chase Seaborn scored 24.
The senior girls league also featured a first-place battle, but things didn’t go as well for the defending 4A girls provincial champion Central Cyclones against the 5A Swift Current Ardens.
The Ardens remained unbeaten on the campaign thanks to a 66-57 victory in Swift Current, improving to 7-0. Vanier falls to 6-2 and will finish in second place.
It looked as if Swift Current was going to run away with things given the 41-26 score at halftime, but you don’t win a provincial title without being able to stage a comeback, and the Spirits would do just that, closing to within three 50-47 through three quarters. The Ardens held on through the final frame, though, securing their win.
Waverley Demassi led Vanier with 23 points, while Ava Kindiak and Kate Waldenberger had 11 each. Kylee Michaluk scored 16 points for the Ardens, Dani Meyer added 14 and Rayanne Fleischfresser scored 13.
Things went better for Central in their girls match-up with Peacock, as the Cyclones took a 40-35 win. The two teams are now tied for third place with a 4-4 record.
Other boys league action on Tuesday saw Vanier pick up their first win of the season, battling to a 54-46 victory over the Lumsden Devils. Vanier improved to 1-6 and are now tied with Lumsden for fourth place.
Lumsden had better luck in their girls game in Assiniboia, taking a 56-50 victory for their first win of the season. The Angels are now 1-6, Assiniboia dropped to 1-7.
