Kildonan East Reivers Crowned Provincial Champions, Led by Manitoba’s #1 Point Guard Rushawn Martin

Undefeated Glory, 23-0

WINNIPEG — The Kildonan East Reivers left no doubt who rules Manitoba boys high school basketball. With a commanding 67-52 win over the Dakota Lancers in the AAAA provincial final last night, the Reivers capped off a perfect 23-0 season, cementing themselves as the undisputed best team in the province.

The victory wasn’t just about talent—it was about dominance, discipline, and the kind of cohesion that only comes from a team that’s been forged in the fires of elite competition. At the center of it all was Grade 12 point guard Rushawn Martin, whose performance didn’t just validate his status as the No. 1-ranked guard in the province—it may have settled the debate about who’s the best overall player, period.

Martin was simply everywhere—gliding past defenders with a first step that looked like a blur, pulling up for threes like he was in his own gym, and locking down the opposing guards from baseline to baseline. He isn’t just a scorer, though he racks up 20 to 25 a night like clockwork. He’s a facilitator with vision that borders on clairvoyant. His passes slice through traffic with precision, always seeming to find the open man at just the right time. A true pass-first guard, Martin controls the pace like a seasoned pro. And when the Reivers needed a bucket, he delivered. Again and again.

But what separates Martin from even the best of his peers isn’t just his stat line—it’s his maturity. He doesn’t make mistakes. He doesn’t force plays. He doesn’t lose his cool. Martin plays with the calm confidence of someone who’s seen it all before. He’s composed under pressure, reads the floor like a coach, and has a poise that defies his age. Coaches at the next level dream about point guards with his intangibles. He’s coachable. He listens. He learns. And most importantly, he leads.

As team captain, Martin commands respect—not just for what he does on the court, but for how he carries himself off it. His teammates rally behind him because they trust him. His demeanor sets the tone. He’s not just the engine of this Reivers machine—he’s the compass, always pointing the right direction.

And then there’s the defense. Martin is a nightmare on that end of the court. He’s a shutdown, lockdown defender from baseline to baseline—relentless, disciplined, and utterly suffocating. He doesn’t reach. He doesn’t foul. He uses his legs, slides into position, and plays defense the right way. He takes pride in stopping the best player on the other team—and in the championship game, he did exactly that. Whoever Dakota threw at him, Martin erased. Every opposing guard, one after another, found themselves neutralized. He didn’t just slow them down—he shut them down cold. That’s the heart of a champion. He doesn’t ask for easier assignments—he demands the toughest matchup. That’s leadership. That’s hunger. That’s greatness.

Then there was the thunder from above—rim-rattling dunks and intimidating rejections from Settimo Yugu, the Reivers’ athletic forward and shot-blocking menace. Yugu patrolled the paint like a bouncer at the club, and Dakota felt the full force of his presence.

The Reivers weren’t just a group of talented athletes—they were a machine, moving with precision, purpose, and unity. And at the heart of it all was elite coaching. Head coach Lloyd Celones brought more than a game plan; he brought a winning culture shaped by his roots in the Mayhem basketball program, Manitoba’s gold standard for player development. That same program is led by Alex Barra—one of the finest point guards the province has ever produced—who now stands alongside Celones as a Reivers coach, adding even more firepower to the sidelines. Their collective pedigree elevated the Reivers beyond typical high school ball. The team’s poise under pressure, flawless execution, and relentless pace were no accident—they were the marks of a program that does more than teach players how to play. Mayhem alumni don’t just run plays—they read the game, dissect it, and dominate it. That’s the difference between a good team and a great one—and the Reivers were nothing short of great.

The Dakota Lancers showed flashes of brilliance and grit, and with their up-and-coming talent, the future’s still bright for them. But this night belonged to Kildonan East. Every possession, every stop, every moment was a testament to a season-long mission to be perfect—and they were.

Now, all eyes turn to Martin’s next move. With university coaches circling and calls coming from all corners, the only question left is: where does the province’s brightest star take his game next? Because wherever he goes, one thing is clear—he’s bringing a whole lot of wins with him.

For now, though, it’s time to celebrate the Reivers. Perfection doesn’t come easy. But when it looks this smooth, it’s unforgettable.