Final regular season standings (9): Lethbridge (14-2); Grant MacEwan (11-5); Grande Prairie (11-5); SAIT (10-6); Mount Royal (10-6); Red Deer (7-9); Medicine Hat (6-10); NAIT (2-14); Augustana (1-15)
Playoff non-qualifiers:
Augustana: S Buban, N Lemon, R Campbell, D Nakonechny, D Thomas, Jardeth Nelson, D Houston, J Gieg, R Carrick, S Cross, N Ashworth, T Sorge, J Watson
Medicine Hat: Ryan Seeman, Cory Harrison, Matt Deutscher, Kirk Nielson, Chris Franklin, J McLeod, R Skierka, M May, Jarred Musschoot, D Isbister, Brent Schile, coach Jim Bonin
Mount Royal: Brady Layton, C Look, E Furnell, B White, J Yvon, T McIvor, S Williams, M Watts, T McAdam, B Laycock, P Driscoll, R Northrop, N Noronha, C Lewis, coach Mark Hogan
NAIT: Rob Hansuk, Clint Boodram, R Blauel, Garret Gray, Ernie Serwadda, D Wolsey, M White, M Law, D Chopko, Pasha Caraher, A Othman, L Ewasko, T Sim, W Horb, P So, coach Darren Aughtry
Red Deer Kings: Darren Williams, Joel Chalifoux, Dale Vanhooren, Andre Richard, Kurtis Averill, Craig Erichsen, James Rosnau, Chris Laborde, Jody Gross, Charlie Jorgenson, Jeremy Spelsberg, Lance Schultz, K Steadman, Pat Lutz, Ron Turner, Danny Casavant, Jason Cyr, Jeremy Stoyko, Derek Durocher, coach John Johnstone
In the semis, the top-seeded Lethbridge Kodiaks defeated the 4th-seeded SAIT Trojans 67-64; 77-68 (2g-0). …………………………………………………… In game one, the Kodiaks nipped the Trojans 67-64. …………………………………………………… In game two, the Kodiaks prevailed 77-68. The Kodiaks led 44-26 at the half but went scoreless for five minutes as the Trojans rallied within 44-35. Spencer Holt paced the Kodiaks with 24. Alan Gibb added 16 and Paul Brown 10. “We just came out flat, a little bit tense and we turned the ball over a few limes,” Kodiaks coach Jason Valgardson said. “But we regained our composure and played solid down the stretch. I’m really happy with the way we played, we played with a lot of heart. SAIT wasn’t rolling over, they played just as tough defence as they did Friday (in Game 1) but we did a much better job shooting from the outside.” The Kodiaks host 41% from the arc, 50% from the floor and 79% from the line. The Trojans were elated to have played the top seeds so close a scant two years after finishing (0-16). “These guys have played their hearts out,” said Trojans coach Phil Allen. “They showed a lot of character.” Terrence Morris led the Trojans with 23. “Phil totally brought us together. We came all the way from the bottom to make the playoffs.” SAIT fell behind by 18 in the first half but rallied to within seven before collapsing down the stretch. “You can’t dig yourself in that deep against a team like Lethbridge,” said Allen. The Trojans (coached by Phil Allen, assisted by David Poon, Deny Courtice and Rae Fehr, manager Gary Paynton) included Deon John, Sascha Bouzaara, Tyson Lybbert, Terrance Morris, Junior Palomino, Jeff Allen, Jon Molyneux, Jasper Browning, David Haughton, Colin Vigilance, Pat Tietz, Jeff Walburger, Rod Loewen, Kurt MacNeil, Greg Jamieson, Dwayne Vigilance and L Edmond.
In the other semi, the 2nd-seeded Grant MacEwan Griffins defeated the 3rd-seeded Grande Prairie Wolves 86-104; 77-57; 80-67 (2g-1). …………………………………………………… In game one, Grande Prairie defeated Grant MacEwan 104-86 (also reported as 101-86) as Joel Mueller scored 27. …………………………………………………… In game two, Grant MacEwan prevailed 77-57. …………………………………………………… In game three, Grant MacEwan took the series with an 8-67 win. The Wolves included Chris Brinnen, Joel Mueller, C Levasseur, M Baker, Grant Harder, B Foster, C Outhet, L Huebert, M Gallagher, D Christenson, S Bruner and S Montgomery.
In the final, the Lethbridge Kodiaks defeated the Grant MacEwan Griffins 89-64; 81-73 (2g-0)
In game one, Lethbridge prevailed 89-64 after leading 35-33 at the half. Spencer Holt dominated the second half, while scoring 25. Carlos Maffia paced the Kodiaks with 17. Ryan Stef added 13. “Spencer was outstanding,” said Kodiak head coach Jason Valgardson. “He was the key to our big run and showed a lot of leadership out there.” The win, he added “was all keyed by our defence. We played fantastic and our defence started everything.” Griffins’ coach Ken Larson said the “referees aren’t biased but they called two very soft technical. That cost us 17 points. It’s the minor officials (table crew) that really bother me. They are a biased group and you can quote me on that. In fact, I want you to quote me on that. This is absolute trash. I’m sick and tired of sucking up, I’ve never won here and I really wanted to this weekend but it’s so tough.” Lethbridge athletic director Tim Tollestrup said “our minor officials will outperform any other crew in the league.” Mark Humphrey led the Griffins with 24.
In game two, Lethbridge completed the sweep with an 81-73 win as Spencer Holt scored 23, Alan Gibb 19, Ryan Stef 13 and Carlos Maffia 12, while Paul Brown dished 8 assists and Mike Hirsch nabbed 11 boards. “Hard work does pay off,” Carlos Maffia told the Lethbridge Herald. “I just wanted everyone to know that.” Kodiaks coach Jason Valgardson said “the team played very well, strong offence and defence. Particularly in defence. I don’t think we would have done as well without defence.” Kodiaks coach Jason Valgardson said “what can you say about a bunch of guys who play their best in the biggest games?” The Kodiaks led 46-29 at the half. “Spencer is a big-game player,” said Valgardson, “In every big game he plays his best. (As well), Carlos offered us leadership. Ryan Stef, Al Gibb and Mike Hirsch all did a good job. Paul Brown is playing really well for us. He’s taking care of the ball and running the team.” Griffin coach Ken Larson said the Kodiaks “earned” the win. “Lethbridge is a legitimate threat to win the nationals. They proved to me they arc that good.” Griffin Mike Smith said “we just didn’t have our heads in it this weekend. We started high, then dropped. We tried to come back but it was too late.” Vern Gerhardt led the Griffins with 20. Kevin Moser and 13 and Dominic Buss 12.
Following the season, Mark Hogan resigns at Mount Royal to pursue a master’s degree in Manitoba. He is replaced by Ron Wuotila, who coached the women’s Cougars, a part-time position. “I’ve been given a career opportunity I can’t turn down.” Mount Royal athletic director Al Bohonus noted that “there is not enough work for both instructors (full-time positions for both men and women.). Because Ron has been in the program, he’s made the transition in coaches that much easier.”
Darren Aughtry is named head coach at NAIT.
The silver medalist Grant MacEwan Griffins: Kevin Moser; Darren Semeniuk; Mikel Schmidt; Mark Humphrey; Vern Gerhardt; Mike Smith; T. Rumpel; J. Beatty; R. Hines; R. Dunkley; D. Buss; Dave Newman; R. Popplestone; coach Ken Larson
The gold medalist Lethbridge Kodiaks: Carlos Maffia; Spencer Holt, Allan Gibb, Mike Hirsch, B Hockridge, Ryan Stef, D Gugyelka, Paul Brown, D McLaren, M Rommele, R Kruger, M Barton, A Sui, coach Jason Valgardson