REGULAR SEASON
| Victoria | 10-0 | 16-0 | Ken Shields | |||||
| Calgary | 8-2 | Gary Howard | ||||||
| Lethbridge | 5-5 | 28-19 | Ken Olynyk | |||||
| Alberta | 4-6 | 12-19 | Don Horwood | |||||
| U.B.C. | 2-8 | 9-16 | Bill Edwards | |||||
| Saskatchewan | 1-9 | 9-23 | Guy Vetrie | |||||
Playoff non-qualifiers:
U.B.C. Thunderbirds: Pat West, Ken Klassen, Jag Bhogal, Paul Johansson, Erik Lockhart, Steve Glover, Ron Bartel, Doug Eberhardt, Ray Bishop, Marty Basso, Jamie Alden, Nelson Spring, coach Bill Edwards
Saskatchewan Huskies: Paul Humbert, John Dewar, Mark Peters, Byron Tokarchuk, David Karwacki, John Cleland, Kirk Jones, Greg Jockims, Chris Biegler, Rick Johnson, Michael Nunn, coach Guy Vetrie
During the regular season, Saskatchewan men’s coach Guy Vetrie defaulted a game against the Calgary Dinosaurs, contending that the Calgary Basketball Officials Association failed to honour an agreement made by the six CWUAA coaches prior to the start of the season that gave each visiting coach the right to refuse one official assigned to the game. CBOA countered that the University of Calgary had not informed the association of the coach’s agreement and took the position that the assigned officials had to call the game or no association officials would. A three-member Conference committee comprised of conference president Marilyn Pomfret of U.B.C., vice-president Ted Sawchuk of the University of Victoria and Neil Little of the University of Lethbridge ruled that Saskatchewan had to reimburse Calgary for one-half of the gate receipts ($900); that Saskatchewan had to post a $1,000 performance bond for 1984-85; that Vetrie be placed on probation for one year; that Vetrie write a letter of apology to the University of Calgary and the CWUAA; and that Calgary write a letter of apology to the University of Saskatchewan. The University of Calgary was castigated for not dealing in good faith and for failing to inform CBOA of the agreement. The committee also said that coaches could only reach such an agreement at the CWUAA annual meeting.
In the semis, held in Lethbridge, Victoria pasted Alberta 99-75. The Bears led 63-61 with seven minutes to play but Victoria turned up the intensity and pulled away down the stretch. “Maybe there’s not enough respect for the opposition,” said Victoria coach Ken Shields, adding the Vikings played “atrocious” defensively in the first half while Alberta “did a pretty good job taking away the inside stuff to our big guys.” Ken Larson paced Victoria with 28 on 12-18 from the floor. Phil Ohl added 16, Eli Pasquale 16, Quinn Groenheyde 16, Greg Wiltjer 12, Dave Sheehan 9 and Cord Clemens 2, while John Munro, Shawn Kalinovich and Clint Hamilton were scoreless. Mike Kornak paced Alberta with 20. Mike Suderman added 18, Blaine Haines 10, Mark baker 10, Tom Demeo 7, Dick Price 4, Jim Pratt 4 and Chris Toutant 2, while Jim McDonald and Kevin Kaardal were scoreless.
In the other semi, Lethbridge annihilated Calgary 82-64. The Dinosaurs played without scoring champ Karl Tilleman, who was sidelined by the flu. Lethbridge took a 37-31 lead at the half and romped. “I think we pressed very well,” said Pronghorn guard Brent Maxwell. “We tired them out with the press in the second half. That was the difference.” Calgary guard John Rhodin concurred. “Their press, I think, was the factor that beat us. We had too many turnovers and they converted them. … They played extremely well. It would have been tough to win tonight even with Karl. But it would have been a lot closer.” Bob Arnett paced Lethbridge with 19 on 8-9 from the floor. Ken McMurray notched 14 on 7-8 from the floor, Maxwell 12 and Jerome Ell 11. The Pronghorns shot 56% from the floor and outscored Calgary from the line 16-8. Bill Nash paced the Dinosaurs with 18 and Dale Anderson 15. The Dinosaurs hit 28-63 (.440) from the floor.
In the bronze medal match, Alberta defeated Calgary 85-70. The Dinos played again without Canada West scoring champ Karl Tilleman, the fourth place Bears pounded Calgary. The Dinosaurs put up 31 more shots than the Golden Bears, but shot just 36% to Alberta’s 59%. Mike Suderman paced the Bears with 17. Bill Nash led Calgary with 23. John Rhodin added 16. “I’m really disappointed with the way we played without Karl,” said Calgary coach Gary Howard. “We had some trouble with their 1-3-1 zone, but the biggest problem was we couldn’t hit the open shot.” The Dinos (coached by Gary Howard) also included Pat Harris, David Richards, Tim Meagher, David Arthurs, Dale Anderson, Doug Christopherson, Dwight McLellan, Chuck Frey and Greg Dell.
In the final, Victoria nipped Lethbridge 76-74 as Eli Pasquale scored 29. Pronghorn Ken McMurray nailed a desperation 25-footer at the buzzer that would have forced overtime but he was called for travelling on the shot. “We’re disappointed, but we’re still happy we played really well and stayed right with them,” said McMurray, who scored 16. “It’s unreal what the crowd can do for you. You hit a shot and the crowd goes wild, and it pumps you right up.” The Vikes broke to a 7-0 lead but the Pronghorns rallied to take a 41-40 lead at the half. Lethbridge led 59-51 with about eight minutes remaining before the Vikings clawed back before Greg Wiltjer hit the winning bucket with 1:24 to play. Victoria’s experience made the difference down the stretch, said McMurray. “They would work it in for a good shot, and we were a little scared.” Pronghorn coach Ken Olynyk said Wiltjer did an exceptional job, although in foul trouble. “He got three offensive boards and scored” on all of them — he destroyed our hopes of getting any offensive boards.” Tournament MVP Eli Pasquale paced Victoria with 29. Wiltjer added 21 points and 15 boards, Phil Ohl 12, Quinn Groenheyde 6, Ken Larson 4, Dave Sheehan 3 and Cord Clemens 1, while John Munro, Shawn Kalinovich and Clint Hamilton were scoreless. Ken McMurray paced Lethbridge with 16. Dave Ross added 14 on 7-11 from the floor, Murray Hanna 11, Bob Arnett 11, Garth Van Gaalen 8, Jerome Ell 8 and Brent Maxwell 6, while Shawn Gilbourne, Don Webb and Steve Rodehutskors were scoreless. “We got a super effort from all the kids tonight,” said Olynyk. Victoria coach Ken Shields said the Pronghorns played “smart defence” and were patient on offence. “They played extremely well and they’re to be congratulated. They came within an inch of knocking us off our perch. Maybe that will serve us both well — give them confidence and smarten us up.”
The bronze medalist Alberta Golden Bears: Mike Suderman; Chris Toutant; Tom Demeo; Mike Kornak; Dick Price; Tim Becker; Mark Baker; Jim Pratt; Blaine Haines; Kevin Kaardel; Mike McDonald; Dean Kaardel; coach Don Horwood; athletic director Dr. Garry Smith
The runner-up Lethbridge Pronghorns: Ken McMurray; Bob Arnett; Jerome Ell; Brent Maxwell; Murray Hanna; Dave Ross; Garth Van Gaalen; Steve Rodehutskors; Shawn Gilborn; Dean Cristante; Don Webb; Sean McNamee; Gary Milewicz; coach Ken Olynyk; assistant Don Gellatly; manager Craig Patton
The champion Victoria Vikings: Greg Wiltjer; Eli Pasquale; Ken Larson; Cord Clemens; Dave Sheehan; Phil Ohl; Graham Taylor; John Munro; Shawn Kalinovich; Quinn Groenheyde; Randy Steel; Clint Hamilton; Jamie Newman; coach Ken Shields