All of us here at the Louis Riel School Division extend a major congratulations to Dakota Collegiate’s Izzi Fust and Kismayo De Michael, who were crowned AAAA female player of the year and AAAA male player of the year respectively. 

For Izzi, the award is the cherry on top of a fairy-tale ending to her high school basketball career, as her Lancers squad took home a third straight provincial championship in March.

Congratulations to the entire championship squad!

“It’s a really big accomplishment. I’m really proud of how the team came together,” Izzi said. 

Izzi described her game as dynamic: she can bring the ball up the court, take it to the post, grab rebounds, or block shots. 

The University of Regina (where Izzi’s sister and former Lancer teammate Kyu plays now) will be lucky to have Izzi's dynamism in their arsenal. 

“Izzi has left her mark at Dakota but also in Manitoba as one of the most decorated players to play in our province,” coach Eric Sung said. “Her hard work and dedication has earned the honour of player the year and also made her a three-time provincial champion. Izzi has been a role model for so many young athletes and will only keep impacting the community through her athletic journey.”

Kismayo averaged 30 points per game this past winter with a 40-point game and a 50-point game under his belt. He was known for his smooth and pinpoint long-range shooting, but also with an ability to finish at the rim and to use his impressive wingspan to turn the ball over on defense. 

He said the player of the year honour was something he’s been working for a long time.

“Being named player of the year is something I would’ve never thought would happen to me. From being a grade 9 kid who got little to no minutes to being number-one ranked player in Manitoba high school basketball — that was always my goal for the past three years, and I’m just extremely thankful to be honoured this way,” Kismayo said, adding that he doesn’t know where he’d be without the support of his teammates and coaches at Dakota Collegiate. 

Lancers coach Dean Favoni said it was a pleasure to watch Kismayo build up his game.

“Kizzy is a tremendous basketball talent, and he has improved significantly over the last two years,” he said. “I am continually impressed, not just with his on-court skills, but also the resiliency he has shown throughout our entire season. I am excited to see him further develop, and I look forward to seeing him play at a new and greater level.”

From all of us to these Lancers legends, congratulations and good luck on your journeys! 

Both athletes were featured in the Winnipeg Free Press, so you can read more about Izzi and Kismayo.