The annual event draws all the top teams from throughout Manitoba as well as a handful of the best teams in Saskatchewan – a total of 32 in all, divided over two tiers – with the Central Cyclones one of those competitors.
The defending 4A provincial champions ended up giving a solid accounting of themselves with a seventh-place showing while taking on some of the top Winnipeg-based teams in the Tier I division.
Central 98, Winnipeg Maples 68
The Cyclones got off to a solid start and showed a balanced performance in their commanding win over Maples, who finished last season as the 10th ranked 4A team – Manitoba’s equivalent to 5A – in the province.
Dylan Boughen led Central with 12 points, Jake McLean and Mohamed Jabeteh had nine each.
Vincent Massey 98, Central 68
When it comes to Manitoba high school basketball, they don’t come better than Winnipeg Vincent Massey. The reigning 4A provincial champions took an impressive win over the Cyclones and would go on to defeat Winnipeg Dakota in the final.
Jabeteh continued his impressive start to the campaign with a 28-point outing while Ewan Johnson and Dylan Boughen had 12 and 10 points respectively.
Central 98, Regina Luther 80
Central faced a familiar opponent in their third game, and things went as expected in their comfortable win.
Jabeteh had 17 points, McLean and Boughen 14 each.
Winnipeg Glenlawn 101, Central 84
The Cyclones trailed 48-45 at half but were unable to keep pace after the break.
The Mo Show continued as Jabeteh had a 21-point outing, Boughen and Johnson 17 each. McLean added 11 and Quinton Ross nine points.
Central 98, Winnipeg MBCI 95
What better way to close out a weekend with a great game, and the Cyclones got just that against Winnipeg Brethren Collegiate Institute.
And sure enough, it was Jabeteh who provided the late game heroics, hitting a three-pointer with three seconds left to provide the margin of victory.
It was part of another impressive outing as he’d finish the game with 24 points. Ewan Johnson would led the way with a 32-point outing, while Ross and McLean had 10 and 11 points each.
The Cyclones don’t have much time off, as they travel to Assiniboia to face the Rockets on Tuesday night.
