The province reclassified its schools into divisions. Division 1 represents schools with over 700 students. The former AAA represented schools with more than 500 students.
In the quarterfinals, held in Truro, the top-seeded Coxheath Riverview Rural Royals defeated the 8th-seeded Halifax West Warriors 58-51 as Kristen Morrison scored 15, Holly Richards 12 and Virginia Cann 11. Hollie Headley led the Warriors with 17. Kristi-Jo Robinson added 15 and Gillian Clarke 11. The Warriors (coached by Patti Hutchison, assisted by Sharon Simpson) also included Angelina Eghan, Andrea Gannon, Beth Higgins, Holly Hoadley, Moira MacIntosh, Amy Higgins, Cherie Dean, Claire Maryin, Kelly Morris, Stephanie Scott, Suzanne Stonehouse, Robyn Smith.
The 4th-seeded Bridgewater Park View Education Centre Panthers stomped the 5th-seeded Sackville Kingfishers 63-41 as Stephanie English scored 19 and Coralee Hiltz 19. Leanne Chisholm led the Kingfishers with 18. Sara Henneberry added 11. Park View led 29-20 at the half. The Kingfishers (coached by Pat Henneberry) also included Jennifer Lamey, Nne Chisholm, Jill Edwards, Tammy Stephens, Veronica Sutherland, Kate Ross, Mandy Edwards, Micala Nauss, Crystal Davis, Laura McKenzie, Kim Chambers and Lisa Cameron.
The 2nd-seeded Truro Cobequid Educational Centre Cougars defeated the 7th-seeded Greenwich Horton Griffins 49-39 as Shannon Kaupp scored 22. Carrie McVay led the Griffins with 16. The Griffins also included Marcie Lane.
In the last quarterfinal, the 3rd-seeded Antigonish Dr. John Hugh Gillis Royals edged the 6th-seeded New Waterford Breton Education Bears 46-39 as Melissa Foley scored 15 and Patty Chisholm 23. Pamela Brunette led the Bears with 16. The Bears (coached by Karl MacNeil, assisted by Robert White) also included Tanya Berger, Maureen MacSween, Tammy Durdle, Lindsey MacLeod, Jennie Timmons, Kendra Hillier, Darlene O’Brien, Monette Pasher, Cora-Beth MacDonald and Alisha Peckham.
In the semis, the Truro Cobequid Educational Centre Cougars defeated the Antigonish Dr. John Hugh Gillis Royals 53-48 Karen Piers scored 18. Melissa Foley led the Royals with 14.
In the other semi, the Coxheath Riverview Rural Royals defeated the Bridgewater Park View Education Centre Panthers as Virginia Cann scored 18. Coralee Hiltz led the Panthers with 13.
In the bronze medal match,
If Antigonish Dr. John Hugh Gillis Royals: Melissa Foley, Maria MacDougall
If Bridgewater Park View Education Centre Panthers: Coralee Hiltz, Stephanie English, Stephanie Keezer,
In the final, the Coxheath Riverview Rural Royals captured their second consecutive crown by nipping the host Truro Cobequid Educational Centre Cougars 56-54. Oddly enough, Truro coach Mike MacKay thought the Royals benefited from having starter Virginia Cann get into foul trouble early in the second half. “I thought that that was to their advantage. They looked and said: ‘who are our scorers left? And came down and went to their power game with Kristen (Morrison) and Holly (Richards). And that’s what we can’t stop – what we have to work so hard to stop.” Riverview coach Ron Shaw wasn’t concerned, saying he thought his bench would step up and fill the void caused by Cann’s absence. MacKay had reason to be concerned. Cann’s departure prompted an 8-0 run that broke a 41-41 tie. Although Truro responded with a 7-0 run led by Karen Piers, they never again led. Cann returned to the floor and posted up in the paint to give the Royals a 43-49 lead with 30 seconds remaining. Richards scored 10 points in the second half, while Morrison hit the winning free throws and scored 12. “I wasn’t playing well (in the first half),” Richards said. “But everybody got together and encouraged everyone and Mr. Shaw said what a good game I had last year. And I just decided this is my last year – I had to have a good game.” Shaw said his Royals determination proved the difference. “I just couldn’t be more proud of the kids, especially the young kids. We got in foul trouble and they really stepped up to the challenge. It was just an unbelievable game. This is the fifth time we’ve played Cobequid Education Centre this year and every game has been decided by less.” Cann said the last-minute bucket was tough. “I was kind of rolling, so I was just hoping it would go in. We were just trying to play the best defence we could, because to play offence against them is so hard because they’re so good.” Piers led Cobequid with 15. Heather Wright added 11.
The bronze medalist:
The silver medalist Truro Cobequid Educational Centre Cougars: Karen Piers; Heather Wright; Shannon Kaupp; Etta Livingston; Kari Scott; Sara MacKenzie; Jennifer MacPherson; Kathy MacNeil; Dale Barkhouse; Janet Benedict; Nicole Phipps; Janet Aucoin; coach Mike MacKay
The gold medalist Coxheath Riverview Rural Royals: Virginia Cann; Kristen Morrison; Holly Richards; coach Ron Shaw