In the semis, the 2nd-seeded Summerside Three Oaks-1 Axettes defeated the 3rd-seeded Charlottetown Rural-1 Raiders 47-42. The Raiders rallied within three with minutes to play but the Axette’s defence was steadfast down the stretch. “This was probably the best Rural played against us all year and I’m happy with the result,” said Three Oaks coach Forrest Lilly, adding that the leadership of Hannah Walker and Courtney Dewar was critical to the win. “Their mentorship was awesome all year and they stepped up their leadership. This is the toughest group I’ve ever seen and they battle just as hard in practice as in games. Hannah Walker led the Axettes with 17. Cierra Gaudet added 10 and Catherine Strongman 7. Emily MacEachern paced the Raiders with 15. Meghan Carr added 6.
In the other semi, the top-seeded Charlottetown Colonel Gray-1 Colonels defeated the 4th-seeded Hampshire Bluefield-1 Bobcats 71-39. The Colonels led 32-14 at the half. Carly Lafave paced the Colonels with 29. Julia McKenna added 10 and Taylor Fitzgerald 8. Jillian MacKenzie led Hampshire Bluefield with 10. Shannon Moore added 9 and Stephanie Denny 8.
In the bronze medal match, the 3rd-seeded Charlottetown Rural-1 Raiders defeated the 4th-seeded Hampshire Bluefield-1 Bobcats 50-43. Rural took a 24-23 win into the intermission before pulling out a seven-point victory. Sara Moore led Rural with 16. Emily MacEachern added 10 and Allison Saviour 9. Cristy Thomas paced Hampshire Bluefield with 11. Stephanie Denny added 9 and Jill MacKenzie 8.
In the final,
the top-seeded Charlottetown Colonel Gray-1 Colonels captured their fourth
consecutive title by clipping the 2nd-seeded Summerside Three Oaks-1
Axettes 70-56. Tournament MVP Carly LaFavre scored a game-high 18 points to
lead Gray. Abby Goodwin added 15 and Julia McKenna 12. Rookie Cierra Gaudet scored
15 to paced Three Oaks. Kristine Johnston added 14 and Ashley Howell 9. Despite
the loss, Three Oaks coach Forrest Lilly praised his young team’s effort
against a veteran Colonel Gray squad that featured seven seniors. “We attacked
them and I was proud of the way the girls played,” Lilly told the Summerside
Pioneer-Journal. “We didn’t give up and played hard for all 40 minutes.” The
Colonels built quarter leads of 19-8, 24-18 and 61-41. “We had eight rookies
that came through the SAMBA (Summerside and Area Minor Basketball Association)
system,” said Lilly, who praised the junior-high programs at Summerside Intermediate
and Athena Consolidated. “Kids now are coming to Three Oaks ready to play. They’re
getting good quality coaching at an early age.”
The bronze medalist Charlottetown
Rural Raiders: Sara Moore; Emily MacEachern; Meghan Carr; Allison Saviour; Jamie
Horrelt; Sarah Herbert; Angela Vriends; Aimee Jenkins; Cheralynn Corney; Nicole
MacLean; Sara Moore; Kayla Gallant; coach Carolyn Huggan
The silver medalist Summerside Three Oaks Axettes: Hannah Walker; Courtney Dewar; Cierra Gaudet; Katie MacLean; Kristine Johnston; Ashley Howell; Catherine Strongman; coach Forrest Lilly
The gold medalist Charlottetown Colonel Gray Colonels: Carly Lafave; Julia McKenna; Taylor Fitzgerald; Abby Goodwin; Celine LeDuc; Heather MacKay; Carolyn McKenna;