WYBA teams set for home hoops tourney

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This article was published 16/05/2025 (371 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Westman Youth Basketball Association season comes and goes in a flash, but Carey Lasuik hopes it leaves lasting benefits for his under-16 squad.

The longtime hoops coach, who spent nearly two decades with Winnipeg’s Daniel McIntyre Maroons boys and most recently coached the Neelin Spartans varsity girls, sees some varsity stars in the making within this group.

They’re set to play four games in two days at the Healthy Living Centre on Saturday and Sunday in their home tournament, which kicks off today.

As much as players want to win now, Lasuik has a bigger picture for his approach to his WYBA group.

“I’m trying to help them be better for their teams next year,” Lasuik said. “As much as I want them to be successful in the club, it’s a short season. It’s twice a week and I’m used to going 4-6 times a week for a longer period of time. I’m trying to … enhance what they have and give them a different perspective.”

At first, Lasuik planned to focus more on individual skills. But after a few practices, he realized the players might be better off learning some higher-level team concepts as they prepare to jump to varsity ball next year.

His top scoring threat, Markus Stevenson, is a step ahead after starting for the Vincent Massey Vikings varsity team as a sophomore this year.

“Physically, when I watched him play this year … I was like, ‘this kid’s pretty good.’ Now that I’m coaching him, (I see) he’s something special,” Lasuik said.

“He’s a competitor. He doesn’t like to lose and he likes to take things into his own hands if need be, but not in a selfish way.

“He’s more than willing to find somebody else to dish to. When I ask him to work hard on defence, he works hard on defence.”

The majority of the squad is from Massey’s JV team, including a few Crocus Plainsmen and other players from around Westman.

WYBA played its first event two weeks ago in Winnipeg, winning its first game handily before a thrilling second contest. Massey’s Ashton Opperman hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to win by two.

The team fell by six points to a tough group from Red Lake, Ont., in the semifinals, then won a blowout for third.

“When it’s time to compete, Ashton has this other gear and it usually has to do with speed and simple work ethic … that I wish other people would see,” Lasuik said.

“It’s not flashy but it’s so effective and it’s something everybody can learn from.”

Lasuik can see big growth in a few players, including Crocus’s Adedamola Gbadebo. The six-foot guard stepped into unfamiliar territory but is loving the chance to develop.

“It’s a bit different because they’re basically all Massey guys, a couple of Crocus and Virden people so it’s pretty new for me, new playing style so I’m trying to get used to it,” he said.

“I just love playing basketball and if I get any opportunity to play, I’ll keep playing.”

WYBA opens U17 division action against Dauphin on the HLC main court on Saturday at 12:15 p.m., then faces Winnipeg’s Mayhem White on the same court at 7:45.

WYBA takes on Swan River on Sunday on the HLC South floor at 9:15 a.m., then heads back to the main court to face Ambush at 1:45 p.m.

The top teams after four preliminary games meet in Sunday’s final at 6:15 p.m.

WYBA heads to Yorkton, Sask., on Father’s Day weekend for its third and final tournament of the season.

U18 GIRLS LOOK TO

TOP THREE-TEAM FIELD

While a lot of club players are using the extra reps this spring to improve for their next high school season, some at the U18 level will move on from basketball afterwards.

Co-head coach Milaina Nachtigall was in that spot when she played for WYBA as an overager in 2023 and works to balance what each player is trying to get out of their time.

“I obviously just love the game of basketball,” Nachtigall said. “Especially because I lost out on a season in COVID, I feel like I want to help the girls recognize how special it is that they get a chance to play more basketball, especially some of the Grade 12s this year.

“It’s awesome to be able to give them a chance to play one last time and I encourage them to work hard to help the Grade 11s get even better.”

With just three teams in the U18 girls’ division, WYBA has two games on Saturday and two on Sunday. It faces Winkler at Crocus on Saturday at 10:45 a.m., and then Dauphin at Henry Champ Gymnasium at 6:15 p.m.

On Sunday, it takes on Dauphin at Crocus at 10:45 a.m., and Winkler at the HLC at 4:45 p.m.

The team with the best record through four games wins the tournament.

The U18 group is a mix of players from all around Westman, featuring some of the top players from the three Brandon schools including Neelin’s Kruz Wilson, Crocus guard Rebecca Alebiosu and Massey’s Nicole Nnamani and Jessie Sumner — a Brandon University commit.

“It’s really cool to get them all playing together,” Nachtigall said. “They kind of know each other already, a few have played together last year for the (Manitoba) Summer Games team. It’s honestly a mix of the best Grade 11 and 12 players in Brandon, so it’s pretty cool.”

• • •

There are five U14 girls’ teams, playing a full round-robin today and Saturday with the best record taking first place.

The U16 girls and U15 boys have six teams each, split into three-team pools. The top two in each reach Sunday’s semifinals, with the U15 boys final on the HLC main court at 3:15 p.m., and the U16 girls’ title game following at 4:45.

The four U13 boys teams — including WYBA A and WYBA B — play two preliminary games each today, with the top two in Saturday’s final and the bottom two playing for third.

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