Swift Current's downtown core was filled with horn honking during lunch hour today in support of the Swift Current Comp. Ardens that's on the verge of losing their shot to play for a provincial title this weekend.

The Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation announced yesterday they'll be withdrawing from extracurriculars on Thursday and Friday including Hoopla due to an impasse at the bargaining table with the province. The Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association gave the province and STF a deadline of tomorrow at 3 p.m. for the bargain committees to resume talks or the province-wide event will be officially cancelled.

The Ardens, fresh off winning the 5A Regional title win in Prince Albert this past weekend, were distraught to hear the news they might not be able to continue their season. All 13 members of the team made signs and lined Central Avenue North protesting in hopes the tournament could be saved.

"Hoopla is the main goal of our season and now that is being taken away from us and that's all we really want to do (is play)," said Kylee Michaluk, a shooting guard for the Ardens.

"We worked really hard to get to where we are and it's kind of a kick in the butt when it's taken away from us," Dani Meyer, one of the Ardens captains, said.

Swift Current had high hopes for the tournament that's supposed to begin in Moose Jaw on Thursday. The Ardens claimed a bronze medal at Hoopla last year and were the top-ranked team at regionals.

"Especially being ranked really high, we even had a chance of placing at Hoopla," Michaluk said. "(Countless) hours of work have gone into our season. Morning shooting, at lunch shooting, film sessions, and extra things, when we couldn't have practices for a while because of the strike. We don't want it to go to waste."

Sask. Premier Scott Moe accused the STF of circling Hoopla on their calendar to use for job action. Until the final buzzer goes tomorrow at 3 p.m. the Ardens will remain hopeful the province and STF can find some resolve.

"All the people honking for us and our team out here, it's creating great energy," Meyer said. "I hope something happens and we can go to Hoopla."

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