While the middle to the end of March every year normally means the sports community is knee-deep in the Hoopla, this year's provincial high school basketball regional championships were cancelled due to job actions from the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation in a contract dispute.

It was the ninth top story of the year. 

The city finals, which annually take place at the Saskatchewan Polytechnic gym, were the last basketball games played this year -  made even more 

Sanctions presented by the Saskatchewan teachers federation have yet to be withdrawn, making it impossible to save a sports season within a multi-sport association, the Saskatchewan High School Athletic Association said.

Students at Tuesday night's senior basketball city finals were disappointed

“To me it’s sad that we don’t get the regionals and provincials, but at least we ended off the season on a win, so we get that at least,” said Central's Ewan Johnson.

Peacock's Anna Maelde said she wished she could play in regionals and Hoopla but was also happy to go out as a city champion. 

Central coach Bryan Adams has coached for 47 years and he said that it was disappointing for many of the kids who have put in years of work to have the season shut down.

“I also would think there wouldn’t be a basketball player in the province that’s not supporting the teachers,” he said. “Without a doubt, every player in the province is tremendously disappointed to have a chance to go to Hoopla, but they also support their teachers and I applaud them for that.”

Central was scheduled to host 4A boys and girls regionals, and Caronport would have hosted 3A girls. Regina was to have hosted Hoopla.