The NBIAA conducts a reclassification: AAA schools are those with an enrolment over 1000. AA schools with an enrolment between 400-999. ‘A’ schools have an enrolment below 400. The AAA division is the former ‘L’ division.
In the quarterfinals, held in Oromocto, the 3rd-seeded host Oromocto Blues spanked the 6th-seeded Miramichi James M. Hill Memorial Tommies 76-43 as Lindsay scored 24, Campbell 15, Wood 13, Daley 11, Johnson 8, Brown 4 and C Johnson 1. Donna MacDonald led the Tommies with 13. Ellen Lorden added 12, Trudy Connick 6, Lynn Richards 6, Sandra Shaw 4 and Lois Brennan 2.
In the other quarterfinal, the 4th-seeded Saint John St. Vincent’s Fighting Irish clipped the 5th-seeded Moncton Purple Knights 42-33 as Gormley scored 12, Forbes 11, Johnston 11, Horgan 4, Forbes 2 and McHugh 2. Jayne MacDonald led the Purple Knights with 14. Brenda Teed added 9, Suzanne O’Keefe 4, Debbie Parker 4 and Debbie Toogood 2.
In the semis, the 2nd-seeded Fredericton Black Kats edged the 3rd-seeded Oromocto Blues 48-46 as Henheffer scored 18, Cull 14, Gillies 8, Scott 4, Watson 2 and Scholten 2. Campbell led the Blues with 13. Wood added 12, Daley 6, Lindsay 6, Johnson 5 and Quinn 4.
In the other semi, the top-seeded St. Stephen Spartans clocked the 4th-seeded Saint John St. Vincent’s Fighting Irish 61-43 as Halford scored 20, Rice 17, Mitton 14, Campbell 5, Prosser 4, Hall 2 and Corning 2. The Spartans led 33-20 at the half. Spartans coach Charles Stevens told the Saint John Telegraph-Journal that “Betty Campbell played a great game defensively. She and Rice were outstanding tonight.” Forbes led the Fighting Irish with 20. Johnson added 8, McHugh 5, Horgan 4, McGarrity 4 and Gormley 2.
In the final, the top-seeded St. Stephen Spartans gained a measure of revenge as they defeated defending champion and 2nd-seeded Fredericton Black Kats 53-36 to win their five title in six years. An AA school, St. Stephen, elected up, while earning the school a boys/girls double. Mitton and Campbell each scored 19 to pace the Spartans. Ride added 10, Prosser 6, Halford 6 and Corning 1. The Spartans were coached for the first time by Charles Stevens, an American from Oldtown, Maine. Scott paced the Black Kats with 16. Hennifer added 10, Fitch 4, Gillies 3, Watson 3 and Cull 2. The Spartans hit 13-22 from the line, while the Black Kats were 10-18.
The co-bronze medalist Oromocto Blues: Dianne Lindsay; Kathy Campbell; Debbie Wood; Margo Daley; Bonnie Johnson; Cindy Brown; C Johnson; Joanne Quinnn
The co-bronze medalist Saint John St. Vincent’s Fighting Irish: Anne Gormley; Patsy Forbes; Joanne Johnston; Anne Horgan; Lynn Forbes; Mary McHugh; Cathy McGarrity
The silver medalist Fredericton Black Kats: Lois Scott; Cathy Hennifer; Jane Gillies; Joanne Cull; Judy Watson; Liedy Scholten; MacMullin;
The champion St. Stephen Spartans: Claire Mitton; Betty Campbell; Krista Rice; Verleen Prosser; Kathy Halford; Lyn Corning; Betty McWilliams; Anita Smith; Sharon Gowan; Janice Downey; Mary Ann Porter; Debbie Madsen; Susan Hall; coach Charles Stevens; manager Sandra Carson; manager Nadine Lawton; manager Chris Hawthorne