The Goose Lake Raiders junior varsity boys basketball team out of Roblin is looking back on a successful season full of highs and success stories.
Eight young basketball stars suited up for the Raiders this season and finished fourth in the Carman Collegiate tournament. They beat the Dufferin Christian Stingers in a thrilling round-robin game, 59-55, before playing the Prairie Mountain Predators in the bronze medal match.
In another game that came down to the wire, the Raiders came up just short, 61-57. Next up for the group was their home tournament at Goose Lake and the Raiders won two of their three games, dominating Neepawa and the Oscar Lathlin Wolverines. The team earned their first podium finish of the season after falling against a very strong Virden Golden Bears team.
Ryan Wiesner is the team's head coach and was proud of how the group came together.
"It was an incredible group of young men to work with," said Wiesner. "They worked extremely hard."
The team's most important game at the time came on March 3 in Russell as they played the Birdtail Sioux Eagles at Major Pratt School. The equation was simple for the Raiders, win and they were off to the provincial championships. Not only did Goose Lake win, they dominated. The Raiders led from start to finish and posted a 93-35 win.
"We didn't really know what to expect coming into that game," continued Wiesner. "The boys played very well and earned a spot in the provincial championships, it was a big win for our group."
Entering the A/AA provincial championships as the underdog ninth seed, the Raiders wasted no time making their presence felt. They stormed into the tournament with a statement win, toppling the eighth-ranked Carman Cougars 72-60 in a commanding opening-round performance. But they were just getting started.
Riding that wave of momentum, the Raiders stepped onto the court for a showdown that would be etched in the history books. Facing the top-ranked Souris Sabres—an overwhelming favourite—the Raiders delivered a fearless and inspired performance. Their offence clicked with precision, while their defence suffocated the Sabres at every turn. When the final buzzer sounded, the scoreboard told the tale of a giant slaying: Goose Lake 74, Souris 63.
"Out of all the games, that was definitely our highlight, you could feel the buzz in the room during that game," continued Wiesner. "We were able to go shot for shot with them and outlasted them."
Ryan was so proud of the group, who tamed the best team in the province at the A/AA level.
"They were emotionally excited and knew they did something very special," said Wiesner. "The boys played an almost picture-perfect game, it was so special to be a part of, and I'm so happy for the guys."
The Raiders battled hard but fell short in their final two matchups, ultimately securing a fourth-place finish—just shy of the podium. However, the tournament wasn’t without its silver lining. Tosh Johnson’s electrifying performances didn’t go unnoticed, as he earned a coveted spot on the tournament all-star team, bringing home some well-deserved hardware.
"Tosh is a high character guy, anyone that knows him recognizes how great of a guy he is," said Wiesner. "He's very athletically gifted and has a great attitude. He's very easy to coach, it's been a privilege to watch him play."
The Goose Lake Raiders roster featured Tosh, Hunter Clark, Cash Kitzul, Jack Laviolette, Ryder Newton, Zachary Rolland, Jaxson Whitehawk, and Tyson Wiesner.
"This is a very special group of young men, everyone is high character, and everyone committed," ended Wiesner. "We went into the provincials and finished higher than our ranking and beat the best team in the province, it was a successful season and one to remember."
The Goose Lake Raiders proved they were a force to be reckoned with, leaving a legacy of unforgettable upsets and relentless determination. Though the season ended, their triumphs and teamwork will be remembered for years to come.
