Final regular season standings (9): Mount Royal (15-1); Lethbridge (15-1); Red Deer (11-5); Grant MacEwan (9-7); Medicine Hat (8-8); SAIT (8-8); NAIT (4-12); Camrose (2-14); Grande Prairie (0-16)
Camrose: Reg Zimmer, Brian Pizeski, Rick Gerlach, Rick Alstrope, Brad Lay, Cam Currah, Ron Baier, Stephen Goss, Ric Gerzey, Rob Boyd, John Mireault, Mike Warner
Grande Prairie: Tony Brazeau, Glen Greenshields, Mario Pare, Ray Arlidge, Rob Stredulinski, Wayne Nelson, Derek Dutka, Larry Colgan, Ken Szmeta, Fred Heathcote, Ross Ravelli, Gerald O’Reilly, Dale King, Phil Silvester, coach Larry Jacobs
Medicine Hat: Warren Ottenbreit, Robert Grisonich, Ron McDonell, Derek Redman, Randy Hauck, Rob Lastuka, Larry Myers, Rick Sincennes, Richard Stomp, Kevin Ottenbreit, Greg Lambert, Greg Talbot, coach Arnie Frank
NAIT: Roger Creamer, Neale German, Elmar Herzog, Grant Glowicki, Wilf Gunderson, Scotty Orchard, Tom Dehod, Bruce Hansen, J Mackie, Ed Jones, Ric Court
SAIT: Shane Carrol, Paul McArthur, Jim Williams, Richard Pengilly, Dave Gallup, Joey Kubinec, Kent Merril, Mark Ireland, Gary Legge, John Kugil, Cam Beattie, Mark Ireland, Godfrey Huybregts, Jim Morris, coach Terry Kimmel,
In the semis, the Lethbridge Kodiaks dispatched the Grant MacEwan Griffins 122-48. Coach Tim Tollestrup said the Kodiaks ball movement was exceptional. “This is our ace-in-the-hole, the run-and-gun. We play better ball when we’re moving the ball up the floor quickly and forcing some offence, trying to catch the defence napping. The kids know this, and for the past two or three weeks they’ve been running well and noticing how important it is to their game.” The Kodiaks broke to a 9-0 run and ripped off a 15-0 run in the second quarter as they took a 46-25 lead at the half and then romped. Ernie Hill paced the Kodiaks with 22 on 11-18 from the floor. Larry Simpson added 20 on 7-12 from the floor and 6-7 from the line, Glen Novak 17 on 8-13 from the floor, Don Yuill 14, Jim Ralph 13, Bruce Hamilton 12 and Glenn Schuler 10. Neil Alsop led the Griffins with 15. Bill Peterson added 9. The Kodiaks hit 55-111 (.490) from the floor and 12-21 (.570) from the line, while the Griffins hit 20-87 (.230 from the floor and 8-15 (.530) from the line. “Ernie (Hill) had a good game,” said Tollestrup, “and so did Simpson. I was surprised to see that Simpson had 20 points because he does so many things unnoticed. He’s a real workhorse out there. It’s difficult to pick out individuals because when I start with one guy, I have to go right down the list. It was just one heck of an effort by everybody. Everybody was moving the ball around as quickly as possible and the rebounders did an excellent job. They were getting the ball to the outlet, and they only threw one or two outlet passes away.” Kodiak Frank Willis left the team in early February, returning to his native Ohio, because of financial considerations.
In the other semi, the Mount Royal Cougars defeated the Red Deer Kings 99-64. The Kings took an early 14-9 lead before the Cougars got on track and took a 46-30 lead at the half. Rodney Thomas paced the Cougars with 25. Lewis Thomas, Rob Kendel and Kelly Ohlhauser each added 12, while Walter Armsworthy and Rob Wilson each added 11. Shaun Johnson paced the Kings with 16. Keith Thompson added 15 and Lee Sedore 10. The Cougars hit 41-97 (.420) and 17-32 (.530) from the line. The Kings hit 26-65 (.400) from the floor and 12-21 (.570) from the line.
In the bronze medal match, the Red Deer Kings edged the Grant MacEwan Griffins 82-79 after leading 42-31 at the half. Shaun Johnston led the Kings with 22. Henry Van Doesburg added 19 and Lee Sedore 15. Jeff Sparling paced the Griffins with 18. Bill Peterson added 17, Tony Cuglietta 15 and Neil Alsop 14. The Griffins also included Wilf Tornsman, Ron Martyna, Jerry Moser, Rick Pasowicz, Roman Zub, Don Swatzky, Joe Sauve and Frank Crane.
In the final, the Lethbridge Kodiaks clipped the Mount Royal Cougars 89-78 after leading 52-30 at the half. “They just put it all together at the right time,” said Kodiaks coach Tim Tollestrup. “It didn’t take any motivating for this game. The players took care of that themselves.” Co-tournament MVP Glen Novak scored 27 on 12-22 from the floor. Co-tournament MVP Jim Ralph added 21 on 10-16 from the floor. “Novak has become a complete ball player,” said Tollestrup. “When he gets hot, watch out. He’s liable to put the ball up from anywhere at any time. And Jimmy makes things happen out there. He and Don Yuill work well together.” Yuill scored 16, and Ernie Hill 17. Rodney Thomas paced the Cougars with 21. Lewis Thomas added 16, Walter Armsworthy 14 and Jamie Thomas 14. The Kodiaks hit 36-92 (.390) from the floor and 17-22 (.770) from the line, while the Cougars were 29-87 (.330) from the floor and 20-28 (.710) from the line. The Kodiaks built an early 23-12 lead extended the margin to 22 at the half. Lethbridge led 68-40 but the Cougars rallied no closer than 16 until the final minute. “We didn’t run like we wanted to,” said Tollestrup. “The Cougars have some good players who get down the floor well. I was pleased with the defence. We came up with quite a few steals and it got us moving a little bit. Yuill played a good game, and Ernie did a good job when he was in there and came up with a lot of rebounds. He did his job. Our experience definitely had a lot to do with it. We have guys who know what the ACAC playoffs are all about.”
After the season, Medicine Hat coach Arnie Frank announced that he was going on sabbatical after 10 years at the helm. He was replaced by athletic director Dale Schula.
The bronze medalist Red Deer Kings: Shaun Johnston; Henry Van Doesburg; Lee Sedore; Keith Thompson; Dave Bowley; Ric Rosborough; Len Tollenaar; Bob Young; Rick Huseby; Dan Hallet; Kent Chapman; Kevin Kubinec; Doug Sather; coach Wayne Lalor
The silver medalist Mount Royal Cougars: Rodney Thomas; Lewis Thomas; Rod Thomas; Kelly Ohlhauser; Jamie Thomas; Rob Kendell; Walter Armsworthy; Rob Wilson; Norbert Schulz; M Wiebe; Bruce Hunt; Harold Johnson;
The gold medalist Lethbridge Kodiaks: Glen Novak; Bruce Hamilton; Don Yuill; Ernie Hill; Larry Simpson; Frank Willis; Glen Schuler; Jim Ralph; Rod Schmidt; Ted Rutherford; Del Rube; Walter Zobell; Gary Merrian; coach Tim Tollestrup