Holy Cross Crusaders Capture Second Straight 5A Hoopla Title in Epic Overtime Battle
In a contest that will be remembered for years in Saskatchewan high school basketball lore, the Holy Cross Crusaders successfully defended their 5A provincial championship with a heart-stopping 102-97 overtime victory over Prince Albert Carlton. The gold medal game, played before a packed and deafening crowd at Saskatchewan Polytechnic gymnasium in Moose Jaw on March 28, 2026, delivered non-stop drama from opening tip to final buzzer.
Carlton's Historic Bid Falls Just Short
The Prince Albert Carlton senior boys basketball team came agonizingly close to making history, seeking their first-ever 5A championship and first provincial title in any division since 1991. For Carlton, merely reaching the final represented a monumental achievement, as they had never previously advanced to this stage in Saskatchewan's highest high school basketball division. Only two other non-Saskatoon or Regina schools had ever broken through to make a 5A final since 1994.
"The Prince Albert Carlton team could almost reach out and touch the championship trophy they coveted, so close were they to making history," said observers of the contest. Instead, Holy Cross repeated some history of their own, capturing their third provincial title in four seasons and ninth overall championship.
A Game of Dramatic Momentum Shifts
The contest featured wild momentum swings that kept fans on the edge of their seats throughout. Holy Cross, the top-seeded perennial powerhouse, looked dominant early, building a commanding 54-34 halftime lead and maintaining a 16-point advantage heading into the fourth quarter.
That's when Carlton mounted an incredible comeback. Emerson MacCuaig scored 10 of his game-high 31 points in the final frame, while Clarence Ermine contributed 12 of his 27 points and Zane Litzenberger added nine of his 29 points. In the final minute, Litzenberger hit two crucial free throws to bring Carlton within two points, and moments later, Ermine scored the game-tying basket to send the contest to overtime at 82-82.
The large contingent of Carlton fans who had traveled south for Hoopla erupted in jubilation, believing their team was poised to complete the stunning comeback.
Overtime Heroics Seal the Victory
The extra period packed an entire playoff's worth of thrills into just five minutes. Carlton continued their momentum, racing out to a nine-point lead midway through overtime. But in a game defined by dramatic twists, Holy Cross had one final answer.
With their season on the line, Daniel Umejiego scored six of his team-high 27 points in the extra period, while Lucian Tyson—one of just two players returning from last year's championship team—added four of his 20 points. Daniel Solarin finished with 25 points for the Crusaders.
The slow overtime start was quickly forgotten as Holy Cross poured in 20 points to stun the Prince Albert contingent and secure their repeat championship. Since the current Hoopla bracket for 5A was largely implemented in 1993, only Regina LeBoldus from 2013-2016 had previously managed to repeat as Hoopla winners.
Building a Championship Legacy
This victory marks Holy Cross's second consecutive 5A championship, following last year's dramatic buzzer-beater victory over Saskatoon rival Walter Murray. That finish was considered nearly impossible to top, though this year's final certainly made a valiant effort.
The Crusaders have established themselves as a dominant force in Saskatchewan high school basketball, appearing in the 5A final seven times in the past fifteen years. Their ability to win close games under pressure has become a hallmark of their program, as demonstrated once again in this instant classic that will be discussed for years to come.
For Prince Albert Carlton, while the outcome was heartbreaking, their performance demonstrated how far their program has come and established them as a legitimate contender in Saskatchewan's highest division of high school basketball.
