On February 14-15, the Lumsden High School senior girls basketball team hosted a round-robin tournament with attendees, including Sheldon Williams Collegiate, Moose Jaw Vanier, and Oxbow. On Friday night, the Lumsden girls beat out Vanier with a score of 73-55 and followed that win up on Saturday with two more against Oxbow (89-58), and Sheldon (34-30). Winning their home tournament was a necessary morale booster for the girls as they begin their playoff run in March.
Because the tournament fell over the Valentines Day weekend and featured four girls teams, the LHS Angels decided to support an organization that aids women and children seeking shelter from unhealthy relationships. Each team was asked in advance to put together a few items from the wish list of Regina Transition House. This organization accepts new and gently used items that help to ease the way for women and their children to start over.
The team was overwhelmed by the support shown by visiting schools. At the end of the weekend, the tournament had collected two overflowing bins of diapers, wipes, shampoos, toothbrushes, hairbrushes, towel sets, women's and children's pajamas, and gift certificates to grocery and department stores. Visiting schools put together beautiful gift baskets with notes of support, and one of the moms even hand-sewed sets of children's mittens to donate. In addition to donated items, the LHS SRC voted to use $100 of the tournament entry fees as cash donations to Transition House.
This was the first girls-only senior basketball tournament that the LHS Angels have hosted in several years. After this year's success, the girls are already looking ahead to similar hosting-opportunities for next year.
Submitted by Nicole Squires
