Treherne Collegiate is having multiple editions of its varsity girls basketball team inducted into the Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame for the class of 2021. 

The squad in 1994-95, 1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-2000, and 2002-03 all won the MHSAA Provincial 'A' Championship and will have their legacy cemented alongside the best Manitoban teams ever. Head coach Jim Hoger says capturing that first championship was unbelievably satisfying.

"My assistant coach John Tate and I were blessed to have two of our daughters be a key part of the very first championship," Hoger explains. "They started off as young girls, maybe eight or nine, keeping stats. By the time they got to high school, they were important parts of our team. To have our daughters on our first championship, after finishing in second five times, was extremely special. We were starting to wonder if we'd ever win a championship."

Treherne had a one-year hiatus after capturing their initial provincial title before winning the next four straight. Hoger says those teams were immensely talented.

"In '98 and '99, we were a very powerful team. We only lost about five or six games in a three-year period," says Hoger. "We had two really outstanding players Tammy Mahon, who was named 'Athlete of the Half Century' for the Manitoba High School Athletic Association, and a player named Courtney DeSpieglaere. She was also a very talented player and played a couple of years at Brandon University."

Hoger says in 1998 they doubled their opponent's score in the finals as it was 61-30. Mahon won that season's league MVP award but Hoger says they also had three other all-stars on that roster.

He says the 99-00 team was one of the most fun teams he was able to coach. According to Hoger, they were extreme underdogs heading into the provincial finals as they were set to play a Hamiota team who they had lost to multiple times already that season by over 20 points. He was just hoping for a close game, but they ended up taking home the championship in a low-scoring 43-37 affair. Hoger says this was probably the most satisfying victory for him, especially for their two stars Amber Jeffrey and Corinna Purkess who were a part of all four championships from 96-97 to 99-00.

The six-time Provincial Champion coach says they had to build the program from the ground up.

"Prior to about 1980, (Treherne) didn't have a very competitive basketball team," Hoger explains. "We just started building the team slowly and the kids bought into working hard and practicing hard. We never had a problem with absences at tournaments, games, or practices which made it a lot more enjoyable."

Hoger says he and his assistant coach still talk often and reminisce about their coaching days, noting he believes it kept them both very young at heart. He outlines what this induction means to them.

"I think it just puts an exclamation point on the whole idea of consistency, hard work, and dedication paying off," Hoger explains. "The emails, messages, and cards I've received from all 32 players from those six championship teams were very touching. We're very humbled by some of the kind words they have to say about the two coaches and the program."

The long-time Treherne head coach thanks the parents for their commitment to driving across the province for tournaments to make this all happen. He also thanks the players for working as hard as they did to master such an up-tempo style.

Hoger says he was happy to see another championship won after his tenure at Treherne Collegiate, noting he really wants to see the success continue on.