In the opening round, held in Medicine Hat for schools with enrolments between 300-799: …………………………………………………… The host Crescent Heights Vikings nipped the Camrose Composite Trojans 56-52. The Vikings took their first lead in the second half with only 14 seconds remaining when Wade Litchfield hit a bucket. A Trojan turnover gave them the ball and they added an insurance layup. “The guys really hung in there,” Vikings co-coach Jim Drefs told the Medicine Hat News. Post Ray Meyer several shots and dominated the defensive boards. But Trojan posts Andy Lyster and Dean Driedger were equally effective with their defensive boardwork. The score was knotted at 24 at the half. The Trojans led 42-38 after three quarters. Meyer took command in the fourth frame, hitting 6-6 from the floor, while teammates Hal Tagg and Wade Litchfield got aggressive on the glass. Litchfield in three clutch buckets in final minute. Drefs said “Byron Draudson had a great game rebounding. He fought so hard his legs cramped up in the fourth quarter. Wade (Litchfield) was a bit tight in the first half, but he sure performed when we needed him. It was nice to be able to go to the bench and get the kind of play we got from Randy Bohnetas well. They (the Trojans) were one for six from the foul line in the final three minutes, and it’s a sure bet the crowd played a big part in that statistic.” Meyer paced the Vikings with 15. Litchfield added 14 and Tagg 12. Scott Davies led the Trojans with 23. The Trojans also included Scott Davies, Andy Lyster. …………………………………………………… The Red Deer Camille J. Lerouge Cougars edged the Calgary Springbank Phoenix 51-45. The Cougars led 42-28 in the final quarter and went into a stall, which killed their momentum, allowing the Phoenix to rally within six. The Phoenix led 24-23 at the half. “Experience in the middle saved the game for us,” said Cougars coach Bruce Buchanan. “Springbank is a young team. They’re going to be tough next year.” Ken Lodewyk led the Cougars with 26. Mike Docherty added 10. “Ken has been our top player all year. He’s as good an outside shooter as you’ll see in high school basketball,” said Buchanan. Dan Toews paced the Phoenix with 13. Ken Melton added 10. The Phoenix also included Rob Reynolds.
In the quarterfinals, the Calgary Viscount Bennett Vikings edged the host Medicine Hat Crescent Heights Vikings 66-62. Crescent Heights rallied to within 61-60 within 30 seconds to play but Viscount Bennett kept their composure and pulled out the win. “We played Crescent Heights at the beginning of the year over at McCoy High School, and I can’t believe that is the same team,” Viscount Bennett coach Ken Bray told the Medicine Hat News. Crescent Heights coach Jim Drefs said “they’re the same bunch of guys that lost to McCoy 84-44 earlier this year, and even I find that hard to believe after tonight. We lost to the better team. The boys couldn’t have played any stronger than they did. We stuck with our starters, and they all played their hearts out. I think everyone thought the game was going to be a laugher, but we really proved ourselves tonight. I think we lost to the eventual champions.” Chuck Frey dominated the paint for Bennett and shut down Heights post Ray Meyer. Jay Kenyon paced Bennett with 25. Bray said Draudson had a great game for Crescent Heights. “We were expecting a tough game inside from Meyer, but the play of Draudson really took us by surprise.” Crescent Heights also included Darren Beach, Wade Litchefield, Hal Tagg.
The Edmonton Austin O’Brien Crusaders thrashed the High Prairie E.W. Pratt Chargers 70-29 as Bill Rehlau scored 16 and Daryl Rakochey 13. The Crusaders led 31-12 at the half.
The Sherwood Park Archbishop Jordan Scots clubbed the Lloydminster Comprehensive Barons 79-53 as Cliff Rowein scored 16 and Chris Micetich 15. Jody Pollman paced the Barons with 22. The Scots led 52-21 at the half.
In the last quarterfinal, the Claresholm Willow Creek Cobras dumped the Red Deer Camille J. Lerouge Cougars 50-42 as Danny Hartfelder scored 11 and Barry Baker 9. Ken Lodewyk led the Cougars with 16. Gordon James added 14. The Cougars led 20-15 at the half. The Cougars (coached by Bruce Buchanan) also included Rick Larsen, Dave Kelly.
In the semis, the Calgary Viscount Bennett Vikings clocked the Edmonton Austin O’Brien Crusaders 73-56.
In the other semi, the Sherwood Park Archbishop Jordan Scots dispatched the Claresholm Willow Creek Cobras 82-54.
In the bronze medal match, the Edmonton Austin O’Brien Crusaders defeated the Claresholm Willow Creek Cobras 75-55 as Jerry Nash scored 24 and Daryl Rakochey 18. Barry Munro led the Cobras with 27. The Crusaders led 44-25 at the half. The Cobras also included Barry Baker, James Williams, Dave Schuler, Danny Hartfelder.
In the final, the Sherwood Park Archbishop Jordan Scots defeated the Calgary Viscount Bennett Vikings 67-59. In their third consecutive trip to the finals, the Scots finally prevailed. They took control in the final minutes, opening up a four-point lead with four minutes to play as the Vikings starters Dan Morrison, Jay Kenyon and Chuck Frey got in foul trouble, while starting point guard Jeff Pronk was sidelined by a pair of ankle sprains. The Scots went into a stall and captured the crown. “We had two guys foul out, but I knew our bench was strong enough to do the job,” Scots’ coach Wayne Ashton told the Medicine Hat News. “This is the seventh year in a row that we have made it to the tournament, and I think the experience won it for us. Viscount Bennett is the best team we’ve played all year, and they’re young too. Next year they’re going to be the powerhouse of the province.” Vikings coach Ken Bray said “we missed Jeff Pronk out there. He’s our general, and we knew it would be tough without him.” The Scots led 17-16 after one quarter. The Vikings led 37-36 at the half. Chris Micetich paced the Scots with 19. Cliff Rowein added 17. Dan Morrison led the Vikings with 16. Jay Kenyon added 11.
The bronze medalist Edmonton Austin O’Brien Crusaders: Jerry Nash; Daryl Rakochey; Bill Rehlau; Greg Skitsko; Gary Rehman;
The silver medalist Calgary Viscount Bennett Vikings: Jeff Pronk; Dan Morrison; Jay Kenyon; Chuck Frey; coach Ken Bray
The gold medalist Sherwood Park Archbishop Jordan Scots: Chris Micetich; Cliff Rowein; Reid Warren; coach Wayne Ashton