Final regular season standings:
North (8): Grant MacEwan (20-0); Lakeland (14-6); Augustana (12-8); Concordia (9-11); NAIT (9-11); King’s (9-11); Grande Prairie (5-15); Keyano (4-16)
South (6): Mount Royal (15-3); Lethbridge (13-5); SAIT (11-7); Medicine Hat (10-8); Red Deer (2-16); Briercrest (1-17)
Playoff non-qualifiers:
Briercrest: Brittany Larson, Brooke Olmstead, Keely Weigum, Abby Sherstan, Kristen Kielstra, Janelle Threlfall, Val Robinson, Meghan Carr, Shehana Woodland, Claire Richardson, Cassie Van Camp, Dani Hintz
Grande Prairie: Carlee Harrison, Chelsea Comeau, Allison Larson, Deanna Konno, Leigh Thorinson, Kelly O’Hallahan, Amy Kobzey, Lenka Rohova, Tessa Agrey, Maggie Zacksko, Katarina Fialova, Amanda Van Dolah, Jenae Grayer
Keyano: Nicolle Mackenzie, Anita Balogh, Vanessa Wideman, Alison Shaw, Cassandra Gilmore, Jelayne Dubielew, Sam Connolly, Kassandra Donnelly, Steffanie Jenkins, Arielle Clemens, Christie King
King’s: Julie Heavenor, Makenzie Johnston, Alexa Sackela-Geiger, Sam Tennant, Vanessa Gulayets, Alyx Aarbo, Karina Leslie, Tamara Deunk, Chelsea Dyck, Jessica Anderson, Lauren Jordan
Medicine Hat: MacKenzie Koopman, Courtney Heinricks, Megan Trisevic, Meagan Koroll, Ashley Kuzma, Samantha Cunningham, Erica Morlock, Robyn Morlock, Tianna Holt, Stephanie Loubardeas, Savannah Scheuerman, Landace McClughan, Anna Mbuyi
Red Deer: Courtney Loyek, Morgan Shultz, Karlen Majcher, Sara Astorga, Ashlynne Gentles, Sarah Williamson, Hannah Nagy, Michelle Steeves, Erin Wiersma, Kat Georgelos, Lauren Loyek, Paola Viveros, Jessica Foley, Stephanie Tremblay
In the quarterfinals, Mount Royal Cougars defeated the NAIT Ooks 78-66; 70-61 (2g-1). …………………………………………………… In game one, the Cougars coasted to an easy 78-66 win after leading 21-18, 44-33 and 59-47 at the quarters. Katie Pearson paced the Cougars with 15. Anna-Lise Posein added 13, Emily Larson 12, Jessica Comfort 11, Nikki Golding 9, Danica Rybachuk 7, Carrie Campbell 6, Kari Youmans 3 and Evan Hudson 2, while Kristen Docherty and India Ashboth were scoreless. Josephine Peacock paced the Ooks with 22. P.J. Wells added 11, Lindsay Papenhuyzen 9, Brie Gray 6, Nicole Ruptash 6, Katrina Papenhuyzen 5, Taylor Goulden 5 and Courtney Willis 2, while Alsha Zuczek, Janice Phung and Brittany Scott were scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game two, the Cougars completed the series sweep with a 70-61 victory after leading 16-10, 34-25 and 49-44 at the quarters. Emily Larson paced the Cougars with 18. Carrie Campbell added 12, Danica Rybachuk 9, Evan Hudson 8, Kristen Docherty 7, along with 10 boards, Kari Youmans 6, Jessica Comfort 5, Katie Pearson 3 and Nikki Golding 2. Josephine Peacock paced the Ooks with 16 points and 15 boards. Janice Phung added 13, Courtney Willis 8, P.J. Wells 6, Alsha Zuczek 6, Katrina Papenhuyzen 6, Brie Gray 3, Nicole Ruptash 2 and Lindsay Papenhuyzen 1, while Taylor Goulden, Cheyenne Pyrzoko and Brittany Scott were scoreless. The Ooks (coached by x) also included Julie Barrie, Breanne Frizzell, Justine Gabriel and Kelsey Mitchell.
The Grant MacEwan Griffins swept the Concordia Thunder 50-33; 76-49 (2g-0). …………………………………………………… In game one, the Griffins prevailed 50-33. The score was knotted at 8 after one quarter. The Griffins led 19-17 at the half 36-26 after three quarters. Kristen Monasterski paced the Griffins with 12 points and 17 boards. Emily Sommerville scored 11, Jessilyn Fairbanks 7, Hilary Annich 5, Cortney Knox 4, Bayan Kurd 4, Erin MacKinnon 4, Kelly Fagan 2 and Nathalie Kiernan 1. Cara Zamburek paced the Thunder with 12. Stephanie Balog added 10, Railene Hooper 6, Meghan Allison 2, Allissa Leakvold 2 and Kaylie Mattiussi 1, while Marie Hacking and Meagan McIntosh were scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game two, the Griffins completed the sweep with a 76-49 win after leading 25-6, 41-17 and 59-27 at the quarters. Kristen Monasterski paced the Griffins with 18. Jessilyn Fairbanks added 14, Emily Sommerville 11, Erin MacKinnon 8, Jessica King 7, Bayan Kurd 6, Hilary Annich 4, Nathalie Kieman 4, Cortney Knox 2 and Kelly Fagan 2, while Joanna Amerongen and Jenelle Monty were scoreless. Meghan Allison paced the Thunder (coached by Ashley McSporran) with 14. Cara Zamburek added 12, Stephanie Balog 7, Kaylie Mattiussi 5, Meagan McIntosh 5 and Allissa Leakvold 5, while Railene Hooper, Marie Hacking, Jenica Brown, Jessie Newton, Sasha Warmington and Karolina Wieczorek were scoreless.
The SAIT Trojans defeated the Lakeland Rustlers 48-63; 63-54; 69-61 (2g-1). …………………………………………………… In game one, the Rustlers stunned the favored Trojans 63-48 after leading 26-6, 41-18 and 54-36 at the quarters. Amy Warbick paced the Rustlers with 12. Mariah Van’t Hof added 10, Amanda Carlton 9, Brittany Shockey 8, Ally White 8, Hannah Crease-McLean 6, along with 11 boards, Cameo McKerlie 6, Kayla Wharton 2 and Brandi Leavitt 2, while Erin Cunningham and Aundrea Smith were scoreless. Rachel Caputo paced the Trojans with 14. Katie Beard added 12, Meachel Camahan 6, Clarise Jennings 6, Jordyn Rabbitt 3, Hilary Newton 2, Kalie Seidlitz 2, Erin Tateson 2 and Gianna Craig 1, while Amy Reding was scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game two, the Trojans evened the series with a 63-54 win after leading 13-12, 30-28 and 48-43 at the quarters. Clarise Jennings paced the Trojans with 13. Rachel Caputo added 12, Katie Beard 22, Meachel Camahan 7, along with 17 boards, Jordyn Rabbitt 7, Gianna Craig 4, Hilary Newton 4, Erin Tateson 3 and Kalie Seidlitz 2. Amy Warbick paced the Rustlers with 20. Cameo McKerlie added 7, Kayla Wharton 6, Hannah Crease-McLean 6, Mariah Van’t Hof 4, Brandi Leavitt 4, Brittany Shockey 3, Amanda Carlton 2 and Ally White 2. …………………………………………………… In game three, the Trojans took the series with a 69-61 win. The Rustlers led 17-15 after one quarter and 34-31 at the half. The Trojans led 53-50 after three quarters. Jordyn Rabbitt paced the Trojans with 24. Clarise Jennings added 12, Rachel Caputo 11, Katie Beard 11, Meachel Camahan 6, along with 11 boards, Gianna Craig 3 and Kalie Seidlitz 2, while Hilary Newton, Amy Reding, Erin Tateson, Emily Woods and Florence Oloya were scoreless. Brittany Shockey paced the Rustlers with 10. Hannah Crease-McLean added 9, Cameo McKerlie 9, Amanda Carlton 8, Amy Warbick 8, Mariah Van’t Hof 8, Brandi Leavitt 7 and Ally White 2, while Kayla Wharton, Tianna Balfour, Marissa Lindquist, Aundrea Smith, Erin Cunningham and Katie Hillis were scoreless.
In the last quarterfinal series, the Lethbridge Kodiaks defeated the Augustana Vikings 55-50; 76-82; 91-84 (2g-1). …………………………………………………… In game one, the Kodiaks prevailed 55-50. The Vikings led 14-12 after one quarter. The Kodiaks led 26-23 at the half and 37-35 after three quarters. Brittany Pekar paced the Kodiaks with 15. Mackenzie Meeks added 11, Lindsey Pierson 10, Lisa Ivanics 9, Jenelle Gieske 6, Katheryne Lowry 2 and Natalie Tollestrup 2, while Miranda DeSouza and Chelsea Overwater were scoreless. Kari Kubinec paced the Vikings with 17. Kelsey Lund added 11, Taryn Story 8, Richelle Wagner 6, Sydney Purdy 4, Amanda Stonehouse 2 and Jessi Tomiyama 1, while Monique Jarrett, Chantel Heier, Michelle Schmidt and Rachel Warrack were scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game two, the Vikings evened the series with an 82-76 win in overtime. The Vikings led 17-15, 36-28 and 56-49 at the quarters. The score was knotted at 69 after regulation play. Taryn Story paced the Vikings with 27. Kelsey Lund added 15, Kari Kubinec 13, Sydney Purdy 6, Monique Jarrett 5, Amanda Stonehouse 5, Richelle Wagner 5, Jessi Tomiyama 3 and Michelle Schmidt 3, while Rachel Warrack and Chantel Heier were scoreless. Lisa Ivanics and Katheryne Lowry each scored 17 to pace the Kodiaks. Lindsey Pierson added 13, Brittany Pekar 12, Mackenzie Meeks 8, Jenelle Gieske 6 and Miranda DeSouza 3, while Chelsea Overwater and Natalie Tollestrup were scoreless. …………………………………………………… In game three, the Kodiaks took the series with a 91-84 win. The Vikings led 20-15 after one quarter and 47-35 at the half. The score was knotted at 62 after three quarters. Lisa Ivanics paced the Kodiaks with 21. Mackenzie Meeks added 18, Katheryne Lowry 15, Jenelle Gieske 13, Lindsey Pierson 12, Brittany Pekar 9, Chelsea Overwater 2 and Natalie Tollestrup 1. Taryn Story paced the Vikings with 27. Kelsey Lund added 18, Rachel Warrack 8, Kari Kubinec 6, Richelle Wagner 5, Chantel Heier 4, Michelle Schmidt 4, Sydney Purdy 4, Monique Jarrett 3, along with 11 assists, Jessi Tomiyama 3 and Amanda Stonehouse 2, while Sarah Warwick and Hannah Warrington were scoreless.
In the final four semis, the Mount Royal Cougars nipped the SAIT Trojans 72-71. The Cougars led 18-17 after one quarter and 37-21 at the half. The Trojans led 62-58 after three quarters. Trojan Rachel Caputo put up a shot with 31.0 seconds remaining only to miss and have teammate Meachel Camahan rebound the ball and put it back in to cut the lead 72-71. Instead of milking the clock to run it down to a possible four second possession for the Trojans, Cougars’ Carrie Campbell took a shot with 18 seconds remaining giving the Trojans one more chance at taking the lead. Trojans coach Donovan Martin went to Caputo for the possible winner with the guard taking a clean look shot with one second remaining. “It was a designed play for her and that is the person we wanted shooting it,” said Martin. “Every player on the team would have chosen her to take the shot. It was 50-50 chance and it did not happen to fall. We played well defensively and well on the boards but it was turnovers in the first half that killed us.” Cougars coach Joe Enevoldson said that during the third quarter break his team down by four points he told them. ““Just to stay the course in what we want to do and need to do. We had to stay focused on every second.” Kari Youmans paced the Cougars with 17 on 7-10 from the floor, 1-2 from the arc, 2-4 from the line and 5 boards. Danica Rybachuk added 15 on 5-12 from the floor, 4-7 from the arc, 1-2 from the line, 6 boards, 3 assists and 4 steals. Emily Larson added 13 on 4-8 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc, 5-6 from the line and 7 assists. Carrie Campbell added 12 on 6-13 from the floor, 7 boards and 2 steals. Katie Pearson scored 7 on 1-6 from the floor, 1-5 from the arc and 4-4 from the line. Jessica Comfort added 6 on 2-4 from the floor, 2-4 from the line and 3 boards. Kristen Docherty added 2, while Nikki Golding, Evan Hudson, C Pickering and Jorgia Van de Sype were scoreless. The Cougars hit 26-58 (.448) from the floor, 6-18 (.333) from the arc and 14-20 (.700) from the line, while garnering 28 boards, including 6 on the offensive glass, 18 assists, 27 turnovers, 3 blocks, 14 steals and 19 fouls. Rachel Caputo paced the Trojans with 22 on 8-22 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 6-8 from the line, 7 boards and 5 steals. Meachel Camahan added 18 on 6-10 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 6-6 from the line and 12 boards. Katie Beard notched 12 on 4-10 from the floor, 2-4 from the arc, 2-2 from the line and 4 boards. Clarise Jennings added 6, along with 6 boards, Hilary Newton 6, along with 3 boards, Gianna Craig 4, along 2 boards and Jordyn Rabbitt 3, while Amy Reding, Kalie Seidlitz and Erin Tateson were scoreless. The Trojans hit 25-67 (.373) from the floor, 3-13 (.231) from the arc and 18-24 from the line, while garnering 41 boards, including 15 on the offensive glass, 14 assists, 28 turnovers, 1 block, 12 steals and 18 fouls.
In the other semi, the Grant MacEwan Griffins dumped the Lethbridge Kodiaks 68-59. The undefeated Griffins led by 21 but the Kodiaks rallied to within four down the stretch. “In preseason they beat is 86-43…dominated us,” said Kodiaks coach Avery Harrison. “We have improved that much since then. We could have simply folded up our tent when we were down 21 points. But I told them that we have to get some stops here. We are a team with a lot of character and they didn’t give up. They played right through to the buzzer.” Of getting with four points at a crucial juncture of the game, “We made a couple of bad errors that let the game out of hand for us.” Griffins coach Rob Poole said “there is no pressure (with No. 1 status) as we have waited a long time to be back at this game. Today we went into a bit of a cold spell but fortunately we got out of it at the right time. We may have not shot well (from three-point distance) but as long as you believe that you can make it the next one will go in.” Griffin Emily Sommerville said “it feels awesome. It was a little bit scary but we kept our focus and came through. He (Coach Poole) kept us focused and told us not to panic and keep our cool and play our defence and do what we do.” Emily Somerville paced the Griffins with 16 on 8-13 from the floor and 2 7 boards. Kristen Monasterski added 14 on 7-11 from the floor, 7 boards and 2 assists. Hilary Annich notched 9 on 4-10 from the floor, 1-5 from the arc, 3 boards and 5 assists. Erin MacKinnon scored 8 on 3-5 from the floor, 2-2 from the line, 3 boards and 2 assists. Bayan Kurd scored 7 on 2-3 from the floor, 1-2 from the arc, 2-2 from the line and 3 boards. Jessilyn Fairbanks scored 7 on 3-11 from the floor, 1-6 from the arc and 4 boards. Cortney Knox added 4 and Kelly Fagan 3, while Nathalie Kiernan, Jenelle Monty, Jessica King and Joanna Amerongen were scoreless. The Griffins hit 26-69 (.405) from the floor, 3-21 (.142) from the arc and 9-10 from the line, while garnering 41 boards, including 14 on the offensive glass, 18 assists, 13 steals, 19 turnovers, 2 blocks and 14 fouls. Lisa Ivanics paced the Kodiaks with 13 on 6-18 from the floor, 0-3 from the arc, 1-4 from the line, 7 boards and 2 assists. Mackenzie Meeks added 12 on 4-6 from the arc, 3 boards and 2 assists. Lindsey Pierson scored 12 on 6-13 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc and 9 boards. Jenelle Gieske added 11 on 3-10 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc, 5-5 from the line and 3 boards. Katheryne Lowry notched 8 on 3-5 from the floor and 2-4 from the arc. Miranda DeSouza added 3, while Natalie Tollestrup, Ariel Pavan, Chelsea Overwater and Brittany Pekar were scoreless. The Kodiaks hit 23-59 (.389) from the floor, 7-21 from the arc and 6-11 (.545) from the line, while garnering 33 boards, including 9 on the offensive glass, 10 assists, 10 steals, 19 turnovers and 15 fouls.
In the bronze medal match, the Lethbridge Kodiaks defeated the SAIT Trojans 68-60 after leading 15-10, 29-26 and 46-37 at the quarters. “I thought we started off with text book basketball. SAIT came back and made a game of it,” said Kodiaks coach Avery Harrison. “It was big for us to win a bronze.” Lisa Ivanics paced the Kodiaks with 23 on 9-18 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc, 5-7 from the line and 4 boards. Katheryne Lowry added 11 on 4-6 from the floor, 3-4 from the line and 5 boards. Jenelle Gieske added 9 on 3-9 from the floor, 3-6 from the line and 13 boards. Lindsey Pierson added 9 on 3-9 from the floor, 0-3 from the arc, 3-4 from the line, 8 boards and 2 assists. Mackenzie Meeks added 8 on 2-6 from the floor, 2-5 from the arc, 2-5 from the line and 2 boards. Brittany Pekar notched 8 on 2-11 from the floor, 0-3 from the arc, 3-4 from the line and 8 boards. The Kodiaks hit 23-59 (.390) from the floor, 2-13 (.154) from the arc and 20-33 (.606) from the line, while garnering 45 boards, including 17 on the offensive glass, 6 assists, 26 turnovers, 1 block, 9 steals and 13 fouls. Rachel Caputo paced the Trojans with 20 on 7-20 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 6-6 from the line, 5 boards and 3 steals. Meachel Carnahan added 16 on 7-11 from the floor, 2-2 from the line and 6 boards. Katie Beard notched 14 on 7-16 from the floor, 0-3 from the arc, 10 boards and 2 assists. Jordyn Rabbit scored 7 on 3-11 from the floor, 1-7 from the arc and 3 boards. Gianna Craig added 3, while Clarise Jennings, Hilary Newton, Amy Reding, Kalie Seidlitz and Erin Tateson were scoreless. The Trojans (coached by Donovan Martin, assisted by Ranbir Parmar and Mecoh Bain, therapist Erin McGoldrick) also included Emily Woods and Florence Oloya. The Trojans hit 25-69 (.362) from the floor, 1-13 (.077) from the arc and 9-11 (.818) from the line, while garnering 35 boards, including 14 on the offensive glass, 9 assists, 20 turnovers, 2 blocks, 9 steals and 22 fouls.
In the final, the Grant MacEwan Griffins capped an undefeated season by smacking the Mount Royal Cougars 89-57 to win their first ACAC title. “I know the program has been consistently strong over the years but this year we had an exceptional group that was focused,” said Griffins coach Rob Poole. “I think the performance we did on defence tonight was a combination of execution and emotion. We were able to get up and put good pressure on the ball.” The Griffins got 41 points off their bench. They led 22-10 after one quarter and 50-22 at the half. “The group that returned and the freshman kids that came in were pretty focused of setting a goal of getting back to that game and when they did get back to that game, they played excellent basketball,” said Poole. “We really hadn’t talked about our win-loss record at any time during the season, it was just about being able to play our best at all times.” Erin MacKinnon said that “we were pretty confident going into the game. We had beaten them by 30 points the last time we played them but we still definitely respected them heading into the final because they are a really good team. We knew we had to come with our best and we felt like we had one of our best games all season. …It’s really cool. I’ve never been a part of something this big. Even winning provincials and getting to cut down the net as a prize, that’s a pretty cool experience.” Cougars coach Joe Enevoldson said “MacEwan is a phenomenal basketball team and they are the best college team I have seen in the last six years. They are so fundamentally sound from top and bottom and I am proud that we battled through to the bitter end.” Erin MacKinnon paced the Griffins with 18 on 6-9 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc and 6-6 from the line. Kristen Monasterski added 16 on 7-10 from the floor, 1-1 from the arc, 1-2 from the line and 11 boards. Nathalie Kiernan added 12 on 3-8 from the floor, 2-4 from the arc, 4-4 from the line, 6 boards and 4 assists. Kelly Fagan added 3-5 from the floor, 3-3 from the line, 6 boards and 4 blocks. Hilary Annich notched 8 on 2-6 from the floor, 1-2 from the arc, 3-4 from the line, 2 boards and 5 assists. Jessilyn Fairbanks scored 7 on 3-10 from the floor, 1-6 from the arc, 6 boards and 4 assists. Cortney Knox added 6 on 2-5 from the floor, 1-3 from the arc, 1-1 from the line, 2 boards and 2 assists. Emily Sommerville notched 6 on 3-4 from the floor, 0-2 from the line, 3 boards, 3 assists and 2 steals. Jenelle Monty added 3, Jessica King 2 and Bayan Kurd 2, along with 10 boards and 5 assists. Joanna Amerongen was scoreless. The Griffins hit 32-66 (.485) from the floor, 6-22 (.273) from the arc and 19-24 (.792) from the line, while garnering 46 boards, including 11 on the offensive glass, 24 assists, 18 turnovers, 5 blocks, 12 steals and 20 fouls. Katie Pearson paced the Cougars with 14 on 4-13 from the floor, 2-8 from the arc, 4-7 from the line, 3 boards and 2 assists. Danica Rybachuk added 13 on 5-8 from the floor, 3-6 from the arc and 2 boards. Nikki Golding added 12 on 4-9 from the floor, 1-2 from the arc, 3-4 from the line and 3 boards. Emily Larson added 6 on 2-12 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc, 2-2 from the line, 2 boards and 4 assists. Jessica Comfort added 5 on 2-8 from the floor, 0-4 from the arc, 1-2 from the line and 2 assists. Kari Youmans added 3 on 1-2 from the floor, 1-2 from the line and 6 boards. Carrie Campbell-Pickering added 2, along with 2 boards and 2 steals, and Kristen Docherty 2, along with 8 boards. Evan Hudson was scoreless. The Cougars hit 18-62 (.290) from the floor, 6-22 (.273) from the arc and 15-25 (.600) from the line, while garnering 29 boards, including 7 on the offensive glass, 8 assists, 22 turnovers, 1 block, 6 steals and 24 fouls.
The bronze medalist Lethbridge Kodiaks: Lisa Ivanics; Mackenzie Meeks; Katheryne Lowry; Jenelle Gieske; Lindsey Pierson; Brittany Pekar; Chelsea Overwater; Natalie Tollestrup; Leanne Crowle; Miranda DeSouza; Nikki Durstling; Shaylee Hanse; Nancie Kollee; Jackie Orje; Ariel Pavan; Trysten Warbrurton; coach Avery Harrison; assistant Ashley King; athletic director Bill Dean
The silver medalist Mount Royal Cougars: Emily Larson; Carrie Campbell-Pickering; Danica Rybachuk; Evan Hudson; Kristen Docherty; Kari Youmans; Jessica Comfort; Katie Pearson; Nikki Golding; India Ashboth; Anna-Lise Posein; Jorgia Van De Sype; Heather Michaluk; coach
The champion Grant MacEwan Griffins: Kristen Monasterski; Jessilyn Fairbanks; Emily Sommerville; Erin MacKinnon; Jessica King; Bayan Kurd; Hilary Annich; Nathalie Kierman; Cortney Knox; Kelly Fagan; Joanna Amerongen; Jenelle Monty; coach Rob Poole; assistant Teresa Wallsten; assistant Jim Lazaruk; athletic director Ken Schildroth