The MHSAA goes to a six-team format because several coaches believed it was unfair for Winnipeg teams to receive multiple entries.
In the quarterfinals, the top-seeded Winnipeg Westwood Warriors defeated Winnipeg Mennonite Brethren Hawks 53-34 as Loo Beckman scored 17 and Brenda Lunsford 14. Susan Klassen paced the Hawks with 13. The Hawks (coached by John Derksen) also included Susan Derksen, Ingrid Dick.
In the other quarterfinal, the Winnipeg Sisler Spartans edged the Winnipeg Murdoch MacKay Clansmen 46-45 as Tracy Tynes hit a pair of free throws with two seconds remaining on the clock. Donna Zelensky paced the Spartans with 14. Cheryl Tynes added 13 and Tracy Tynes 12. Valerie Campbell led the Clansmen with 14. The Clansmen (coached by Bruce Rand, manager Catherine Breen, manager Peggy Kummerfeld) also included Lori Cox, Susan Atkins, Leslie Massie, Kim Law, Namela Neves, Marge Johannsen.
In the semis, the Winnipeg Dakota Lancers defeated the Winnipeg Sisler Spartans 30-28 as Bev Wiebe hit a bucket with one second to go on the clock.
In the other semi, Brenda Lunsford tossed in 19 to lead the Winnipeg Westwood Warriors past the Brandon Vincent Massey Vikings 38-30. Lou Beckman added 10, Diane Ralph 6 and Jacquie Rowe 3. Dori McPhail paced Vincent Massey with 11. Nancy Sharratt added 10, Anne Thompson 5 and Val Meyers 4. “We didn’t play all that well, especially in the first half,” Vikings coach Stew Farnell told the Brandon Sun, adding that easy games in the B provincials did not adequately prepare his troops for the A draw. The Warriors led 19-9 at the half. “We had our moments but there were times when we didn’t handle their press all that well. And on top of that, the kids weren’t nearly aggressive enough. They did a lot of standing around but I suppose it comes from having your own way too often against relatively weaker clubs.” Warriors coach Addy Ryngach noted that the press had differing levels of success in three earlier matches against the Vikings during the season. “We’ve played the Vikings on three other occasions during the season and won two of them. We’ve used the press the other times, so we decided not to go away from something successful.” Whenever the Vikings were able to break the press, Warrior forwards Brenda Lunsford and Lou Beckman were able to deny them in 2-on-1 or 3-on-2 transitions. “It’s just what I said before we came here,” said Farnell. “If we didn’t control those two, we wouldn’t win.” The Vikings (coached by Stew Farnell) also included Joy Sigurdson, Lesi Gamble, Louise Uhryniuk, Debbie Pratt.
In the bronze medal match, the Brandon Vincent Massey Vikings clipped the Winnipeg Sisler Spartans 53-42. “We weren’t playing as good a team today, but we played much better than we did against Westwood (in the semis),” Vikings coach Stew Farnell told the Brandon Sun. “We were never in any actual trouble. Before the game, I told the girls to go out and run at them, and we did. What it came down to was that they couldn’t handle our press.” Dori McPhail paced the Vikings with 18. Nancy Sharratt added 12, Cynthia Scott 8 and Deb Lovatt 6. “Well, it’s always better to finish third than fourth. We had our chance to win again, but there isn’t anything I can do about it now,” said Farnell. Tracy Tynes led the Spartans with 12. Cheryl Tynes added 8 and Debbie Vitt 8. The Spartans (coached by L. Marquardson) also included Karen McRae, Robin Palatnick, Barbara Tworek, Jill Romanoff, Kathie McMillan, Judy Pascoe, Teresa Zelinski, Linda Harris, Donna Zelewsky and Wendy Moslenko.
In the final, 5-10 grade 10 student Jacquie Rowe shot .710 from the floor, hitting 5-7 and 4-5 from the line to score 14 points, while grabbing 15 rebounds, including 10 on the offensive glass, as the top-seeded Winnipeg Westwood Warriors defeated the Winnipeg Dakota Lancers 49-38. “That was the best game I have ever played. I just feel so great, I’m so excited,” Rowe told the Winnipeg Free Press. Lou Beckman added 12 points and 6 boards, while Diane Ralph tossed in 12 and grabbed six boards. Brenda Lunsford scored 6 and grabbed seven boards. Winnipeg Westwood outshot Winnipeg Dakota .350 to .290 from the floor and .640 to .540 from the line, while out-rebounding the Lancers 39-24. Shirley Zylick paced Winnipeg Dakota with 10 points. Lori O’Neil scored 9 and grabbed six boards.
The bronze medalist Brandon Vincent Massey Vikings: Val Meyers; Dori McPhail; Nancy Sharratt; Cynthia Scott; Deb Lovatt; coach Stew Farnell
The silver medalist Winnipeg Dakota Lancers: Lori O’Neil; Bev Wiebe; Jacquie Rowe; Shirley Zylick;
The gold medalist Winnipeg Westwood Warriors: Jacquie Rowe; Lou Beckman; Brenda Lunsford; Diane Ralph; Bev Nicholson; Gloria Dutcliuk; Brenda Michel; Diane Vickery; Lori Nelson; Jo-Anne Weir; Kathy Miller; Diane Frederickson; coach Addy Ryngach