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High School

Plainsmen beat Spartans in semifinal

1 minute read Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026

Elia Plerot scored 17 points to lead the Crocus Plainsmen to a 65-37 win over the Neelin Spartans in the Brandon High School Basketball League junior varsity girls’ semifinal at Crocus on Tuesday.

Success Ebri and Sydney Dell each scored 14 for the Plainsmen, who meet the Vincent Massey Vikings in the best-of-three final.

Paisley Anaka scored 12 points for Neelin.

The varsity girls’ game ended after deadline.

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Foster staying consistent with Tigers

By Massimo De Luca-Taronno 5 minute read Preview

Foster staying consistent with Tigers

By Massimo De Luca-Taronno 5 minute read Monday, Feb. 9, 2026

If there’s anyone who knows how to raise the bar year after year, it’s Ian Foster.

Just when it seems the 17-year-old forward for the Westman High School Hockey League’s Neepawa Tigers will have a hard time topping his offensive totals from his previous season, he finds a way and reminds everyone how high his ceiling really is.

It all started for Foster in his rookie season with the Tigers, when at the age of 15, he notched 31 goals and 59 points in just 39 WHSHL games. He also tallied seven more goals and 15 points in the annual Neepawa Slasher Showdown and Victoria Inn tournaments, boosting his overall totals to 38 goals and 74 points.

It was a picture perfect rookie season and it only got better in his second campaign with Neepawa last year, when the classic “sophomore slump” was most definitely not in play.

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Monday, Feb. 9, 2026

Ian Foster of the Neepawa Tigers leads his club in scoring this season with 24 goals and 45 points in 21 Westman High School Hockey League games. The senior forward also has seven goals and 10 points in nine tournament games this year. (Submitted)
Ian Foster of the Neepawa Tigers leads his club in scoring this season with 24 goals and 45 points in 21 Westman High School Hockey League games. The senior forward also has seven goals and 10 points in nine tournament games this year. (Submitted)

Sisler sweeps Java Jam events

2 minute read Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026

The Sisler Spartans earned varsity gold at the Crocus Plains Java Jam girls basketball tournament on Saturday, beating the Portage Saints 73-54.

Gurmandeep Chahal led Sisler with 21, while Collette Thess had 18 point for Portage.

In the third-place game, the host Plainsmen fell 62-54 to the Jeanne-Sauvé Olympiens. Emma Elliott led the winners with 15 points, while Iliana Courchene hit for 13 and Courntey Giesbrecht netted 11 points for Crocus.

The Neelin Spartans topped the Lord Selkirk Royals 75-36 in the fifth-place game, led by Karolina Boyko’s 25 points and Ariana Elizalde’s 15. Emma Weiss had 11 points and Cassidy Laing added 10 for Selkirk.

Courchene emerges as two-way star at Crocus

Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Preview

Courchene emerges as two-way star at Crocus

Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026

Iliana Courchene has shown flashes of massive potential for years.

Now, her individual talent is blending seamlessly into the Crocus Plainsmen system, and the results are evident.

The senior guard recorded eight points and five assists as the Plainsmen varsity girls’ basketball team beat the Selkirk Royals 68-28 to open the Coffee Culture Java Jam tournament on Thursday.

“Iliana has certainly made a ton of strides in our program,” said Plainsmen head coach Adam Hartman.

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Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026

Crocus Plainsmen guard Iliana Courchene drives against the Selkirk Royals in Coffee Culture Java Jam action at Crocus on Thursday. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)
Crocus Plainsmen guard Iliana Courchene drives against the Selkirk Royals in Coffee Culture Java Jam action at Crocus on Thursday. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)

Neepawa Tigers focus on philanthropy

Massimo De Luca-Taronno 4 minute read Preview

Neepawa Tigers focus on philanthropy

Massimo De Luca-Taronno 4 minute read Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026

The Neepawa Tigers embody all that is bigger than hockey.

Over the last five years the Westman High School Hockey League squad has raised $20,350 to help different programs in Neepawa better support patients with cancer, serving as an annual reminder how big of an impact a community can make when everybody bands together, or attends a hockey game.

“We’re always just blown away by the support that we get,” said Tigers coach Troy Brister. “We’re blown away by the effort that our parents put in and our players put in and then we’re blown away by the support that our community gives to the game.”

Next Friday marks the sixth cancer care charity match Neepawa has hosted, as the Tigers will exchange their black and yellow sweaters for a pink one as they take on the Minnedosa/Erickson Chancellors at the Yellowhead Community Recreation Centre.

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Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026

The Neepawa Tigers pose in their pink jerseys prior to their Cancer Care fundraising match against the Minnedosa/Erickson Chancellors which is set for next Friday at the Yellowhead Community Recreation Centre. Neepawa is hoping to best its $5700 donation totals set last year. (Submitted)

against the visiting Virden Golden Bears on Jan. 27 at the Yellowhead Centre. The team raised an incredible $5,400 that night for local use in the battle against cancer. (Submitted)(Submitted)
The Neepawa Tigers pose in their pink jerseys prior to their Cancer Care fundraising match against the Minnedosa/Erickson Chancellors which is set for next Friday at the Yellowhead Community Recreation Centre. Neepawa is hoping to best its $5700 donation totals set last year. (Submitted) against the visiting Virden Golden Bears on Jan. 27 at the Yellowhead Centre. The team raised an incredible $5,400 that night for local use in the battle against cancer. (Submitted)(Submitted)

Vikings chasing big hoops goals

Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Preview

Vikings chasing big hoops goals

Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026

The Vincent Massey Vikings are just five weeks away from the moment they’ve prepared their whole basketball lives for.

They knew they had potential two years ago, when they reached the AAAA junior varsity boys’ provincial final four. Now, the best Vikings varsity squad in recent decades wants to go at least one step further.

“It’s everything,” said senior guard Wesley Burton. “We just want to do it all for our last ride, the last time we (play with) each other before a bunch of us graduate. It’d mean everything.

“This group, so fun, man. I enjoy coming every day … competing with each other, it’s just awesome.”

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Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026

Knox Smith dribbles up the court during the Vincent Massey Vikings varsity boys’ basketball game against the Souris Sabres on Wednesday. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)
Knox Smith dribbles up the court during the Vincent Massey Vikings varsity boys’ basketball game against the Souris Sabres on Wednesday. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)

Smith leads Massey past Windsor Park

1 minute read Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026

Knox Smith scored 20 points as the Vincent Massey Vikings varsity boys’ basketball team beat Windsor Park 92-71 in the Winnipeg Invitational Tournament quarterfinals on Thursday.

The Vikings face the St. Paul’s Crusaders in the semifinals today at 6:30 p.m.

In freshman girls action, Samantha De Jesus dropped 12 points to lead Massey to a 39-12 victory over Crocus Plains.

» The Brandon Sun

Van Santen leads Massey past Crocus

1 minute read Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026

Logan Van Santen scored 15 points as the Vincent Massey Vikings beat the Crocus Plainsmen 74-44 in Brandon High School Basketball League varsity boys’ action on Wednesday.

Victor Adereme-Fawoye led Crocus with 17 points.

In the JV boys’ game, Nahom Gebeyenu netted 16 points to lead Massey to an 82-55 win, with Daniel Adetoro pacing Crocus with 10 points.

On Tuesday, the Plainsmen varsity girls beat the Vikings 61-26 on Iliana Courchene’s 17-point effort.

Johansen, Crocus motivated to stay in win column this weekend

Massimo De Luca-Taronno 4 minute read Preview

Johansen, Crocus motivated to stay in win column this weekend

Massimo De Luca-Taronno 4 minute read Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026

Cody Johansen recalls the scenes at Enns Brothers Arena last week quite vividly.

As the clock hit zeros and the final buzzer sounded, he and his teammates eyed their goaltender, Cody Johnson — who made 23 saves on 26 shots — and swarmed around him in a heartbeat, elated to celebrate a Crocus Plainsmen victory.

“It was a big moment,” said Johansen, a second-year defencemen. “Everybody had smiles on their faces, everybody was all happy, and it was just awesome.”

The club’s 7-3 victory over the Reston/Melita/Hartney/Souris Renegades (5-8-1) was just their second of the season in 13 contests, but nonetheless, a win is a win — and a win is a call for celebration, but now Johansen knows it’s time to move on and turn the page.

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Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026

Crocus second-year defensemen Cody Johansen has four goals and 14 points through 13 Westman High School Hockey League games this season. Last year, he racked up 20 points in 40 contests. (Submitted)
Crocus second-year defensemen Cody Johansen has four goals and 14 points through 13 Westman High School Hockey League games this season. Last year, he racked up 20 points in 40 contests. (Submitted)

Harvey’s versatility pays off with Vikings

Massimo De Luca-Taronno 5 minute read Preview

Harvey’s versatility pays off with Vikings

Massimo De Luca-Taronno 5 minute read Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026

Logan Harvey may not have been the most well-known player in the Vincent Massey Vikings locker room at the season’s start, but he’s made sure everyone knows his name now.

The 16-year-old winger for the Westman High School Hockey League’s top-seeded Vikings (13-2) entered the season knowing only a handful of teammates after being cut from the main squad last year, and since then, he’s quickly proven his value on and off the scoresheet.

“I can play with whoever and wherever the coach puts me, so I’d say I’m pretty flexible,” said Harvey on Wednesday. “If it’s on the power play or penalty kill, I’ll just always do my best to help the team out, no matter what. It’s really easy to play with new people, and I can adapt quickly on different lines.

“I can help the boys out on the bench if they start getting down and just try and help everyone get in a better mood.”

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Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026
Harvey’s versatility pays off with Vikings

Plainsmen drop Spartans in overtime

1 minute read Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026

Mady Taillefer hit a three-pointer in the dying seconds to send the Crocus Plainsmen to overtime and ultimately a 59-54 win over the host Neelin Spartans late Tuesday night.

Kate Hiebert led the Plainsmen varsity girls’ basketball team with 11 points in the Brandon High School Basketball League thriller, with Danielle Asham dropping a game-high 15 points for the Spartans.

In the JV girls’ game, Success Ebri and Elia Blerot scored 10 points each as the Plainsmen won 55-21.

Paisley Anaka led Neelin with eight points.

Massey JV girls top Neelin in hoop

1 minute read Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025

The Vincent Massey Vikings beat the Neelin Spartans 45-26 in junior varsity girls basketball action in the Brandon high school league on Tuesday.

Adriana Ramalho paced the Vikings with 16 points, while Josee Martine led the Spartans with six.

» The Brandon Sun

Lancers, Wings claim BSSI titles

By Thomas Friesen 6 minute read Preview

Lancers, Wings claim BSSI titles

By Thomas Friesen 6 minute read Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025

One minute, the Dakota Lancers are in an air-tight affair. But blink and you’ll miss them dominate another provincial powerhouse for a few minutes.

That’s all the Lancers need when they defend as they did at the Brandon Sun Spartan Invitational.

Dakota defeated Oak Park 73-50 in the Victoria Inn Division (Tier 1) final at Vincent Massey on Saturday for its second tournament victory in three years.

While head coach Dean Favoni’s team has won the event three times now, the Lancers have also had their fair share of tough final losses.

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Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025

The Dakota Lancers celebrate their second Brandon Sun Spartan Invitational title in three years after beating the Oak Park Raiders at Vincent Massey on Saturday. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)
The Dakota Lancers celebrate their second Brandon Sun Spartan Invitational title in three years after beating the Oak Park Raiders at Vincent Massey on Saturday. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)

Vikings off to BSSI semifinals

Thomas Friesen 3 minute read Preview

Vikings off to BSSI semifinals

Thomas Friesen 3 minute read Friday, Dec. 12, 2025

Markus Stevenson did a lot of good things for the Vincent Massey Vikings last year, but the one he struggled with stung.

“In provincials last year, when we played St. Paul’s, my defence really got exposed. I couldn’t play because I kept fouling,” Stevenson said.

“I really wanted to work on my defence, because I didn’t want to sit on the bench because I couldn’t guard.”

The Grade 11 guard worked on it all summer, and it paid off on Friday as the Vikings beat the Miles Macdonell Buckeyes 81-71, then dropped the Martin (Sask.) Monarchs 92-71 to finish atop Pool D of the Brandon Sun Spartan Invitational’s Victoria Inn Division (Tier 1).

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Friday, Dec. 12, 2025

Jordan Nichol (4) of the Vincent Massey Vikings leaps for a shot on the net during the Vikings match against the Martin Monarchs at VMHS on Friday. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)
Jordan Nichol (4) of the Vincent Massey Vikings leaps for a shot on the net during the Vikings match against the Martin Monarchs at VMHS on Friday. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)

Brown, Crocus hoping to play spoiler facing league’s best

Massimo De Luca-Taronno 5 minute read Preview

Brown, Crocus hoping to play spoiler facing league’s best

Massimo De Luca-Taronno 5 minute read Friday, Dec. 12, 2025

If there was a David vs. Goliath matchup equivalent in the Westman High School Hockey League, this would be it.

The Crocus Plainsmen, who sit at the bottom of the standings having strung together just one win through 10 games (1-8-1), will need to do just about everything and then some to have a chance against what will be their toughest test yet in the league’s cream of the crop, the Swan Valley Tigers — the only team who is yet to register a regulation loss.

“It’s going to be a pretty hard battle, but I’m sure the boys will try and battle even harder,” said Crocus forward Destin Brown ahead of his club’s match against Swan Valley this afternoon at Enns Brothers Arena.

“Playing great teams up in the standings is going to be pretty hard, but, you know, you just never stop battling, and you never know what could go on, so it’d be pretty fun to win. Hopefully we can come out and get the win.”

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Friday, Dec. 12, 2025

Crocus Plainsmen second-year forward Destin Brown (8) is second among team scoring with six goals and 13 points in nine games. He only trails linemate, Cale Calcut, who has nine goals and 15 points. (Massimo De Luca-Taronno/The Brandon Sun)
Crocus Plainsmen second-year forward Destin Brown (8) is second among team scoring with six goals and 13 points in nine games. He only trails linemate, Cale Calcut, who has nine goals and 15 points. (Massimo De Luca-Taronno/The Brandon Sun)

Vikings historical run in Westman is no more

Massimo De Luca-Taronno 7 minute read Preview

Vikings historical run in Westman is no more

Massimo De Luca-Taronno 7 minute read Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025

The streak is finally over.

The Vincent Massey Vikings had gone 667 days since losing a Westman High School Hockey League regulation match — a 4-3 loss to the Hamiota/Rivers/Elton/Strathclair Huskies at Flynn Arena on February 4, 2024 — but their impressive stretch finally came to an end over the weekend when the league’s last undefeated team fell to the Swan Valley Tigers 5-4 at the Sportsplex Friday evening.

A slow start helped the Tigers build up a 3-0 lead in the first frame before Hunter Oakden potted one in during the man advantage to put Massey on the board heading into the second period, when seniors Daylan Duncalfe and Addax Egan both scored to tie it 3-3.

Owen Deleau gave the Vikings their first lead of the game in the third period, but it proved to be not enough as the Tigers fought back for two goals in under a five-minute span to break Massey’s historical run of nearly two years without a loss in regulation time.

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Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025

Vincent Massey Vikings forward Vaughn McLeod celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal en route to a 11-0 victory over the Crocus Plainsmen at Enns Brothers Arena on Sunday, Oct. 19. (Massimo De Luca-Taronno/The Brandon Sun)
Vincent Massey Vikings forward Vaughn McLeod celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal en route to a 11-0 victory over the Crocus Plainsmen at Enns Brothers Arena on Sunday, Oct. 19. (Massimo De Luca-Taronno/The Brandon Sun)

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