Final regular season standings (9): Lethbridge (14-2); Mount Royal (12-4); SAIT (12-4); Grant MacEwan (10-6); Grande Prairie (8-8); Red Deer (6-10); Medicine Hat (4-12); NAIT (4-12); Augustana (2-14)
Playoff non-qualifiers:
Augustana: Jyl Stanford, Lee Ann Strain, Arna Bryant, Cheri Markovich, Shauna Logan, Lisa Harmatiuk, Susan Stacheruk, Patty Desormeau, Lesley Peacock, Michelle Helstein, Liv Wooding, Jenny Shouldice
Grande Prairie: Kim Harris, Kathy Wardill, Kerry Funk, Terri Gascon, Shannon Allen, Tina Jones, Jodine Collins, Chalice MacDonald, Leanne Matson, Debbie Williams
Medicine Hat: Trisha Jattansingh, Vickey Guardipee, Rory Perrirer, Wendy Closky, Marsha Williams, Shawna Sapergia, Laurel Closkey, Kim Strain, Rachel Wendling, Kristina Burgis, Chandra Steirert, Tanis Carere
NAIT: Robbie Ross, Michelle Dorval, Sara Schumacher, Leanne Sallenbach, Amanda Brear, Martha Hoffman, Deena Guglich, Trenna Guglich, Tanna Lowe, Jody Dyck, Sheryl Deagle, Richelle Blum, coach Gregg Meropoulis
Red Deer: Angela Lajeunesse, Kara McDonald, Bobbi Towers, Adrienne Hull, Karin Bednard, Kim Goodwin, Jennifer Mitchell, Kerri Dezutter, Janet Burlo, Joann Hickle, Janice Burlo, Cindy Patterson
In the semis, the SAIT Trojans defeated the Mount Royal Cougars 59-62; 63-50; 45-40 (2g-1). The Trojans couldn’t defeat the Cougars in regular season play, losing five times, including once in preseason, but managed to accomplish the task twice in the semis. …………………………………………………… In game one, the Cougars eked out a 62-59 win as reserve Julie Dayman scored 14. “Julie plays very well,” said coach Ron Wuotila. “It’s just that she’s had limited time. I’m disappointed I didn’t get her more time late in the game.” Wuotila went to his starters down the stretch and they pulled out the win. “It was another battle,” said Wuotila. “But I had a really positive feeling about going into the last five minutes.” Sheila Bergen and Janette Junghans each scored 10 to pace SAIT. Kristi Clark added 10 for the Cougars. …………………………………………………… In game two, the Trojans prevailed by 13. “We had our backs against the wall,” said forward Janette Junghans, who scored 14. “We came out to play and we wanted it more than they did.” The Trojans dominated the defensive boards, said Cougar coach Ron Wuotila. “Every time we play, it’s a heck of a ball game.” …………………………………………………… In game three, the Trojans played with confidence. “We knew the game was ours,” said coach Avery Harrison. “They really believed in themselves. They were really pumped. I was afraid they were a little over-psyched.” Mount Royal took and early 208 lead but the Trojans rallied to within 25-24 at the half. They took command down the stretch when Bobbi-Jo Helle hit the last six points, including two free throws with 10 seconds to play to ice the win. “I ran up to her and gave her a big hug after that one,” said Sheila Bergen. “I was so proud of her.” Helle had just returned to line-up after missing five weeks with a broken foot. Harrison said her returned proved the difference in the series. “Bobbi-Jo may have been the turnaround for us.” Bergen and Helle each scored 12 to lead SAIT. Bergen also nabbed 11 boards. Kristi Clark, Tami Hodges and Joanna Vieira each scored 8 to pace Mount Royal. The Cougars also included Trisha Yuzik, Kim Hertzberg, Heather Sackschewsky, Julie Dayman, Jill Sutherin, Robin Chernos, Krista Robson, Tanya Williams, Faye Kaketsis, Marietta Kearl and Sara Watson.
In the other semi, Lethbridge defeated Grant MacEwan 74-36; 79-47 (2g-0). …………………………………………………… In game one, the Kodiaks pounded the Griffins 74-36. …………………………………………………… Lethbridge completed the sweep by dusting the Griffins 79-47. Griffins coach Gerry Couzens called them “team awesome.” Kodiaks coach Karie Tollestrup said “I’m really impressed with my team. They’ve got their heads and their hearts in the right place.” The Kodiaks led 49-23 at the half, outrebounded the Griffins 62-45 and forced 32 turnovers while committing 23. Lisa Walburger paced the Kodiaks with 16 on 7-9 from the floor and 9 boards. Joanne Smallbones added 14 and 9 boards, Amanda Reid 10 points and 7 boards, and Jodi Baker 7, along with 7 boards. “Lisa Walburger was very tough,” said Tollestrup. “She had the hot hand and played good defence. It’s tough to pick out any individuals to praise because everybody is playing so well.” The Griffins (coached by Gerry Couzens) included Jen Jensen, Krista Johnstone, Brandy Bilodeau, Danah Townsend, Kerry Belcham, Alana Green, Melody Larsen, Cheryl Corrigan, Teresa Carter and Janet Berry.
In the final, the Lethbridge Kodiaks defeated the SAIT Trojans 69-56; 53-43 (2g-0)
In game one, Lethbridge’s zone defence proved too much for SAIT handle as the Kodiaks prevailed 69-56. “That was a huge win for us,” said Kodiak coach Karie Tollestrup. “We worked all week on the three-two and it really made the difference. We just kept getting beat on the cuts in man.” Lethbridge’s 32-26 halftime lead had evaporated as the Trojans moved ahead 52-51 with seven minutes to play, prompting the switch to a zone. The Kodiaks just as promptly ripped off an 18-1 run. “We couldn’t solve the zone at their end,” said SAIT head coach Avery Harrison. “We haven’t seen a zone in n long lime and they shut us down.” Tollestrup said Jodi Baker pulled out the win. “Jodi’s stretch in the second half really kept us in the game,” said Tollestrup. “She played really tough when we were struggling.” Harrison said “it was a tight game up until there was five minutes to go. Then they went zone on us. We didn’t solve the zone and that was the game. We have to penetrate the zone more. Tonight, we were trying crosscourt passes, which were totally ineffective. They were on the run and taking the game to us. We can’t allow that to happen.” Ronna Wright and Joanne Smallbones each scored 15 for Lethbridge. Jodi Baker added 10. Sheila Bergen paced the Trojans with 18 points and 8 boards. Rhonda Dawes scored 10.
In game two, the Kodiaks prevailed 53-43 despite trailing by 24-16 at the half. They quickly closed the gap early in the second half using full-court pressure and romped. “There was a lot of mental lapses tonight,” said Trojan guard Bobbi Joe Helle. The Trojans had tried to slow the game to a crawl but couldn’t convert their opportunities, said coach Avery Harrison. “You’re not going to win if you can’t finish off the easy layups and the free throws. We must have missed eight inside shots in the last seven minutes. They finished off their shots.” Lisa Ressler led the Kodiaks with 15. Helle and Sheila Bergen each scored 12 for the Trojans. Helle, who broke her foot a practice a month earlier, rushed her rehabilitation to get ready for the playoffs. “When I push myself too much, it does get sore. But I figure if you can’t take it, you shouldn’t be here.” Kodiak coach Karie Tollestrup said “it was frightening. We had 20 turnovers in the first half. It was like we were in the twilight zone. We couldn’t say anything at halftime. It was amazing they were only eight points up on us, because we gave them lots of chances.”
The silver medalist SAIT Trojans: Sheila Bergen; Bobbi-Jo Helle; Rhonda Dawes; Janette Junghans; Marci Dumesnil; Sue Deck; Sharene Stockburger; Jodi Sundbo; Karen Lawson; Cindy Helle; Megan Bowler; Kelly Webb; Vanessa Kruger; Becky DeBoon; Nicki Harvey; Brandi Watson; coach Avery Harrison; assistant Brian Haynes; assistant Laura Fehr
The gold medalist Lethbridge Kodiaks: Ronna Wright; Lisa Ressler; Joanne Smallbones; Jana Dezall; Lisa Walburger; Coralee Hauck; Nicole Peterson; Jodi Baker; Amanda Reid; Terra Dudley; Jennifer Organ; Glory Conroy; Sue Groenenbom; coach Karie Tollestrup
After the season, Karie Tollestrup resigned at Lethbridge and was replaced by Dawn Keith, a former Lethbridge Pronghorn who had also played at Scottsdale College in Arizona. “I’m very excited about coming into the program. There is a winning attitude that’s long been a part of the Lethbridge Community College program and it’s a program that’s well respected in the ACAC and the CCAA so I’m really looking forward to being part of it,” said Keith, coach of Mount Royal between 1990-1993 and subsequently, president of the University of Lethbridge booster club.