Final regular season standings:
N (7): Concordia University-Edmonton (16-4); Alberta-Augustana (13-7); Keyano (12-8); Lakeland (10-10); The King’s University (7-13); NAIT (5-15); Northwestern Polytechnic (1-19)
S (8): St. Mary’s University (18-3); Red Deer Polytechnic (15-6); Lethbridge (14-7); Briercrest (13-8); Olds (10-11); SAIT (10-11); Ambrose (10-11); Medicine Hat (0-21)
Playoff non-qualifiers:
Ambrose Lions: Kole Graham, Ellen Tiessen, Makenna Graham, Brianna Thera, Tegan McArthur, Andrijana Bokan, Nya Gach, Ariana Dela Paz, Olivia Pedersen, Molly Brown, Achol Magiir, Dakota Magotiaux-Paul, Kaitlyn Anderson, Kamsiyochi Ogbudibe, redshirt Alex Pickard, coach Neil Nystrom, assistant Ken King, assistant Sydney Boyd, assistant Rachel McIntyre, strength & conditioning Larissa Bouwaman
Medicine Hat Rattlers: Kiara Jankowiak, Abriele Watson, Bryanne Jones, Kirstie Johnstone, Alia Boulanger, Janine Jonker, Mina Djordjevic, Nylah Seaborn, Brynn Bremner, Sheridan George, Grace Kitenge, Hannah Fisher, Hailey Hoffart, Morgan Novik, Madison, Pitman, Jordyn Knight, coach Clayton Nielsen, assistant Rob Grisonich, assistant Morgan Muir
Northwestern Polytechnic Wolves: Gracie Reschke, Makayla Porteous, Abby Crown, Keeley Miller, Sam Blum, Brook Forsyth, Alyssa Gallant, Alex Mills, Alexis Lee, Paige Snyder, Raylene Badger, coach Bill Bradley, assistant Karli Munro
In the opening round: …………………………………………………… In the South division, the 5th-place Olds Broncos whipped the 6th-place SAIT Trojans 76-54 after leading 20-10, 33-28 and 52-43 at the quarters. The Broncos broke to a 14-3 lead but the Trojans ripped off a 10-0 run to draw within 5 at the half. Blu Rose was chosen player of the game for the Broncos, while Essie Pryor earned the laurels for the Trojans. Makayla Rose paced the Broncos with 22 on 9-17 from the floor, 3-4 from the arc, 1-3 from the line, 17 boards and 2 steals. Meghan Swartz added 17 on 8-13 from the floor, 1-1 from the arc, 0-1 from the line and 14 boards. Rio Yamazaki notched 13 on 6-18 from the floor, 0-3 from the arc, 13 from the line and 6 boards. Odett Schlegl scored 10 on 4-10 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc, 2-2 from the line, 8 boards and 2 assists. Caitlin Paul added 8 on 3-10 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc, 2-2 from the line, 5 boards, 3 assists and 2 blocks. Nicole Farkas scored 4 on 2-2 from the line and 2 boards. Naomi Rowe added 2 on 0-1 from the floor and 2-2 from the line, while Sierra Weninger, Noa Jessen and Hannah Martens were scoreless. The Broncos hit 32-74 (.432) from the floor, 4-13 (.308) from the arc and 8-15 (.533) from the line, while garnering 53 boards, including 17 on the offensive glass, 16 fouls, 17 assists, 19 turnovers, 3 blocks and 4 steals. Brook Baker paced the Trojans with 22 on 10-25 from the floor, 1-6 from the arc, 1-3 from the line, 11 boards, 4 assists and 2 steals. Kyler Varga added 14 on 4-8 from the floor, 4-6 from the arc, 2-4 from the line, 2 boards and 2 steals. Essie Pryor notched 8 on 4-5 from the floor and 6 boards. Ava Kearl scored 4 on 2-4 from the floor and 0-2 from the arc. Macy Mulholland added 3 on 1-8 from the floor, 0-3 from the arc and 1-2 from the line. Vanessa Cormier scored 3 on 1-8 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc, 1-2 from the line and 5 boards, while Kaleigh Sellars was scoreless, nabbed 2 boards and dished 3 assists. The Trojans hit 22-61 (.361) from the floor, 5-22 (.227) from the arc and 5-12 (.417) from the line, while garnering 28 boards, including 3 on the offensive glass, 14 fouls, 9 assists, 18 turnovers, 2 blocks and 6 steals. The Trojans (Ranbir Parmar, assistant Howie Leong, assistant Alicia Tan, assistant Valerie Hampton-Mumford) also included Kate Messom, Hannah Cameron, Kendyl Shelestynsky, Skyler MacDonald and Summer James. …………………………………………………… In the North division, the 5th-place King’s University Eagles dispatched the 4th-place Lakeland Rustlers 75-70 after leading 15-13, 36-28 and 57-48 at the quarters. Anelia Ayotte was chosen player of the game for the Eagles, while Angela Baran earned the laurels for the Rustlers. Aneilia Ayotte paced the Eagles with 27 on 11-22 from the floor, 5-8 from the line and 15 boards. Kayla Soetaert added 15 on 4-10 from the floor, 2-7 from the arc, 2-2 from the line, 3 boards and 2 steals. Megan Aleman notched 10 on 4-6 from the floor, 2-2 from the line and 5 steals. Alyssa Yorke scored 10 on 5-12 from the floor and 7 boards. Jamie Bunting added 8 on 3-6 from the floor, 2-4 from the arc, 4 boards and 4 steals. Ella Majeau scored 3 on 0-2 from the arc, 3-7 from the line and 7 boards. Jordan Rivet added 3 on 1-4 from the arc. Cameryn Hrycun scored 2 on 1-5 from the floor and 5 boards, while Kelsey Macpherson, Casey Belway, Lauren Meters and Tori Day were scoreless. Belway nabbed 2 boards. The Eagles hit 29-68 (.426) from the floor, 5-17 (.294) from the arc and 12-15 (.800) from the line, while garnering 44 boards, including 12 on the offensive glass, 21 fouls, 2 assists, 21 turnovers and 14 steals. Angela Baran paced the Rustlers wit 15 on 5-10 from the floor, 4-6 from the arc, 1-2 from the line and 2 boards. Susan Ayaa added 15 on 6-13 from the floor, 1-3 from the arc, 2-5 from the line, 4 boards and 2 steals. Bethany Montebon notched 14 on 5-10 from the floor, 0-5 from the arc, 4-5 from the line, 2 boards, 3 assists and 4 steals. Kayleena Garda scored 6 on 3-5 from the floor, 0-2 from the line and 6 boards. Sarah Dacuycuy added 6 on 2-4 from the floor and 2-2 from the line. Alana Olson scored 5 on 1-13 from the floor, 0-5 from the arc, 3-4 from the line, 6 boards and 2 steals. Paula Ortiz notched 4 on 1-5 from the floor, 1-1 from the arc, 1-2 from the line and 2 assists. Anika Timmerman added 3 on 1-1 from the arc, 0-2 from the line and 2 boards. Veda Gottselig scored 2 on 0-1 from the floor, 2-2 from the line and 5 boards, while Abigail Whitehead, Payton Grindle and Makylla Vachon were scoreless. The Rustlers hit 24-63 (.381) from the floor, 7-21 from the arc and 15-28 (.536) from the line, while garnering 31 boards, including 8 on the offensive glass, 16 fouls, 6 assists, 24 turnovers, 1 block and 11 steals. The Rustlers (coach Chris King, assistant Henry Bui, assistant Marissa Linquist) also included Kelsey Mann, Kadence Mann, Morgan Ostig, Jasmine Gardiner, Breanna O’Connor and Grace Selinger. …………………………………………………… In the other North division opener, the 3rd-place Keyano Huskies pounded the 6th-place 68-50 after leading 25-17, 33-22 and 54-36 at the quarters. Emma Tomchuk was chosen player of the game for the Huskies, while Lucy Wilde earned the laurels for the Ooks. Zera Lynn Panesa paced the Huskies with 20 on 7-14 from the floor, 4-6 from the arc, 2-4 from the line, 4 boards, 3 assists and 2 steals. Kayla Lutterodt added 15 on 7-9 from the floor, 1-3 from the arc, 6 boards and 2 steals. Maja Besic notched 13 on 6-12 from the floor, 1-2 from the line, 9 boards, 6 assists and 6 steals. Joy Victor scored 9 on 3-6 from the floor, 3-4 from the line and 5 boards. Emma Tomchuk added 8 on 2-7 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 4-4 from the line, 3 boards and 4 assists. Casey Gorieu scored 3 on 1-4 from the floor, 1-3 from the arc, 0-2 from the line and 3 boards, while Mzna Mohammed, Kirsten Reid, Jaylynn Twinn, Kenisha Nepinak and Grace Pardell were scoreless. Mohammed pilfered 3 balls. The Huskies hit 26-57 (.456) from the floor, 6-13 (.462) from the arc and 10-18 (.556) from the line, while garnering 32 boards, including 7 on the offensive glass, 19 fouls, 19 assists, 12 turnovers, 2 blocks and 16 steals. Lucy Wilde paced the Ooks with 19 on 6-20 from the floor, 1-7 from the arc, 6-9 from the line, 6 boards and 2 assists. Payton Neilson added 10 on 4-6 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc and 2-2 from the line. Ellie Wilde notched 7 on 3-8 from the floor, 1-3 from the arc, 7 boards, 4 assists and 2 steals. Rory Vandermeer scored 5 on 2-5 from the floor, 1-2 from the line and 3 boards. Kaytlyn Poberznick added 4 on 2-7 from the floor and 9 boards. Abi Payne scored 3 on 1-4 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc, 1-2 from the line and 2 assists. Aislinn Libich added 2 on 1-1 from the floor, while Jules Froment, Sadie Nysetvold, Elizabeth Salcedo, Blyss Ward and Lilly Murray were scoreless. The Ooks hit 19-58 (.328) from the floor, 2-18 (.111) from the arc and 10-15 from the line, while garnering 31 boards, including 10 on the offensive glass, 12 fouls, 11 assists, 22 turnovers, 2 blocks and 4 steals. The Ooks (coach Kiera Lyons, assistant Aphia Ward, assistant Ashley Wigg) also included Lucy Wilde and Gillian Moses.
In the second round (necessitated by virtue of Lethbridge being automatically granted a quarterfinal berth as the tournament host), the 4th-place Briercrest Clippers dispatched the 5th-place Olds Broncos 68-58. The Broncos led 18-16 after one quarter. The Clippers led 36-32 at the half and 53-41 after three quarters. Madison Beattie was chosen player of the game for the Clippers, which Odett Schlegl earned the laurels for the Broncos. Amber Fichtner paced the Clippers with 20 on 9-13 from the floor, 2-3 from the line, 24 boards and 5 steals. Maddison Beattie added 19 on 6-13 from the floor, 4-11 from the arc, 3-3 from the line and 2 steals. Melissa Ellis notched 8 on 3-10 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc, 2-2 from the line and 3 boards. Eve Durerksen scored 6 on 2-3 from the floor, 2-4 from the line, 9 boards and 2 assists. Dori Sunderland added 5 on 2-4 from the floor, 1-2 from the arc, 0-2 from the line, 5 boards and 4 assists. Sydney Latrace scored 4 on 1-11 from the floor, 1-10 from the arc, 1-2 from the line, 4 boards and 2 assists. Brooklyn Martens notched 2 on 0-9 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 2-2 from the line, 9 boards, 8 assists and 2 steals. Hannah Matuszeski added 2 on 1-1 from the floor and 2 boards. Mackenzie Fredlund scored 2 on 1-1 from the floor, while Tatiana Dyck, Jasmine Repetski and Kendall Evans were scoreless. The Clippers hit 25-66 (.379) from the floor, 6-27 (.222) from the arc and 12-18 from the line, while garnering 57 boards, including 16 on the offensive glass, 17 fouls, 18 assists, 18 turnovers, 1 block and 12 steals. Odett Schlegl paced the Broncos with 18 on 6-15 from the floor, 4-9 from the arc, 2-5 from the line, 3 boards, 2 assists and 3 steals. Meghan Swartz added 11 on 5-16 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc, 1-2 from the line and 11 boards. Makayla Rose notched 8 on 3-13 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc, 2-4 from the line, 8 boards and 2 assists. Rio Yamazaki scored 7 on 3-16 from the floor, 1-4 from the arc, 3 boards and 6 assists. Caitlin Paul added 7 on 2-17 from the floor, 0-8 from the arc, 3-3 from the line and 2 steals. Naomi Rowe scored 5 on 2-3 from the floor, 1-3 from the line and 2 boards. Nicole Farkas added 2 on 1-4 from the floor, while Hannah Martens and Noa Jessen were scoreless. The Broncos hit 22-85 (.259) from the floor, 5-26 (.192) from the arc and 9-18 from the line, while garnering 28 boards, including 12 on the offensive glass, 17 fouls, 11 assists, 14 turnovers and 17 steals. The Broncos (coach Harrison Corolis, assistant Dean Haidar, assistant Brianna Fehr) also included Audrey Dayrit, Sierra Weninger, Haylee-Jo Heggie, Tray-Lyn Fox, Brooke Reid and Charlee McIntyre.
In the quarterfinals, held in Lethbridge, the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens (2nd, South) clipped the Keyano Huskies (3rd, North) 73-63 after leading 28-12, 47-25 and 66-47 at the quarters. “We were healthy and we’ve been a different team since Christmas,” said Queens coach Avery Harrison. “We’ve been better defensively and supporting each other better. Keyano had a really cold first half, and the combination of that and us playing really well was hard for Keyano.” He added that the Queens aggressive defence set the tone for the game, but “we got away from that in the second half.” Sandra Garcia Bernal was chosen player of the game for the Queens, while Maja Besic earned the laurels for the Huskies. Sandra Garcia-Bernal paced the Queens with 19 on 9-13 from the floor, 1-1 from the arc, 3 boards, 4 assists and 7 steals. Peighton Melton added 13 on 5-8 from the floor, 3-4 from the line, 7 boards, 2 blocks and 4 steals. Amy Szymanek notched 12 on 4-18 from the floor, 1-1 from the arc, 3-4 from the line, 5 boards, 6 assists and 5 steals. Lauren France scored 9 on 3-5 from the arc. Sophie Melin added 8 on 3-12 from the floor, 2-6 from the arc, 2 boards, 5 assists and 3 steals. Janai Hubert scored 6 on 2-2 from the floor, 2-2 from the line and 3 boards. Heena Sidhu added 5 on 2-5 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc, 1-2 from the line, 6 assists and 5 steals. Sadie Jeffries scored 1 on 0-2 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 1-2 from the line and 2 boards, while Keanna Richards and Emily Anderson were scoreless. The Queens hit 28-65 (.431) from the floor, 7-16 (.438) from the arc and 10-14 (.714) from the line, while garnering 24 boards, including 12 on the offensive glass, 15 fouls, 24 assists, 15 turnovers, 2 blocks and 26 steals. Zera Lynn Panesa paced the Huskies with 17 on 6-9 from the floor, 5-7 from the arc, 6 boards and 7 assists. Maja Besic added 14 on 7-10 from the floor, 5 boards and 2 steals. Joy Victor notched 10 on 5-14 from the floor, 13 boards, 6 assists and 4 steals. Kayla Lutterodt scored 8 on 2-6 from the floor, 2-3 from the arc, 2-2 from the line and 5 boards. Emma Tomchuk added 6 on 2-4 from the floor, 1-3 from the arc, 1-2 from the line, 2 boards and 4 assists. Casey Gorieu scored 4 on 2-8 from the floor, 0-6 from the arc and 2 assists. Mzna Mohamed added 2 on 0-1 from the floor and 2-2 from the line. Jaylynn Twin scored 2on 1-1 from the floor, while Helena Murray, Kirsten Reid, Keneisha Nepinak and Grace Pardell were scoreless. The Huskies hit 25-53 (.472) from the floor, 8-19 (.421) from the arc and 5-6 (.833) from the line, while garnering 32 boards, including 11 on the offensive glass, 19 fouls, 21 assists, 31 turnovers and 7 steals. The Huskies (coach Dwayne Vigilance, assistant Catherine Pate, assistant Compton Vigilance, assistant Sarah MacDonald) also included Madison Zadro, Diana Carpio and Kaylynn Tucker.
The Briercrest Clippers (4th, South) stunned the Concordia University-Edmonton Thunder (1st, North) 74-63. The Thunder led 17-12 after one quarter and 39-34 at the half. The Clippers led 53-50 after three quarters. Kiana Ens paced the Clippers with 18 on 6-7 from the arc and 3 boards. Amber Fichtner added 17 on 6-16 from the floor, 5-9 from the line, 9 boards and 4 steals. Brooklyn Martens notched 9 on 2-9 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 5-6 from the line, 10 boards, 3 assists and 2 steals. Dori Sunderland scored 9 on 2-7 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 5-6 from the line, 3 boards, 5 assists and 2 steals. Melissa Ellis added 8 on 3-8 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 2-4 from the line, 3 boards, 3 assists and 2 steals. Maddison Beattie scored 7 on 1-8 from the floor, 1-6 from the arc, 4-4 from the line and 7 boards. Eve Duerksen added 4 on 1-5 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc, 2-6 from the line, 2 boards and 2 assists. Hannah Matuszewski scored 2 on 1-1 from the floor and 3 assists, while Sydney Latrace, Tatiana Dyck, Jasmine Repetski, Amanda Pelster and Mackenzie Fredlund were scoreless. The Clippers hit 22-61 (.361) from the floor, 7-18 (.389) from the arc and 23-35 (.657) from the line, while garnering 39 boards, including 7 on the offensive glass, 13 fouls, 18 assists, 22 turnovers, 1 block and 14 steals. Kaelyn Bryks paced the Thunder with 2 1on 9-16 from the floor, 1-2 from the arc, 2-2 from the line, 4 boards, 4 assists and 2 steals. Jaycee May added 9 on 3-10 from the floor, 2-8 from the arc, 1-4 from the line and 2 boards. Ashley Leeb notched 8 on 3-10 from the floor, 2-6 from the arc and 9 boards. Madison Murdoch scored 7 on 3-12 from the floor, 1-8 from the arc, 7 boards and 2 steals. Kourtney Oss added 6 on 3-11 from the floor, 15 boards, 3 assists and 2 steals. Jenna Rinsky scored 4 on 2-11 from the floor and 0-3 from the arc. Haley Cleland notched 4 on 2-2 from the floor, 3 boards, 2 assists and 2 steals. Bronwyn Blayney added 2 on 0-1 from the floor, 2-2 from the line, 5 assists and 2 steals. Lauren Tettey-Wayoe scored 2on 1-1 from the floor and 2 boards, while Georgia Bowman was scoreless. The Thunder hit 26-74 (.351) from the floor, 6-27 (.222) from the arc and 5-11 (.455) from the line, while garnering 43 boards, including 14 on the offensive glass, 22 fouls, 18 assists, 30 turnovers, 1 block and 12 steals. The Thunder (coach Robbie Valpreda, assistant Amy Mcoll, assistant Shyanne Walton, assistant Daniela Stabile, assistant Maddy Sanford, manager Carly Smith) also included Ashley Prymak, Ashley Leeb, Raeesa Cherniwchan and Rachel Harvey.
The Alberta-Augustana Vikings (2nd, North) dispatched the Lethbridge Kodiaks (3rd, South) 65-57 after leading 22-9, 38-23 and 52-42 at the quarters. Tayah Fiveland paced the Vikings with 28 on 8-12 from the floor, 2-2 from the arc, 10-12 from the line, 9 boards, 2 assists and 3 steals. Kamryn De Klerk added 17 on 7-20 from the floor, 2-7 from the arc, 1-2 from the line, 5 boards, 9 assists and 4 steals. Mackenzie Mrazik notched 9 on 4-7 from the floor, 1-1 from the arc, 9 boards, 3 assists, 2 blocks and 3 steals. Jenessa Doctor scored 4 on 1-5 from the floor, 1-4 from the arc, 1-2 from the line and 6 boards. Lauren Cardinal added 4 on 2-15 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc and 3 boards. Elli Cailliau scored 3 on 1-5 from the floor and 1-3 from the arc, while Maren Macdonald and Larissa Stephenson were scoreless. Macdonald nabbed 3 boards. The Vikings hit 23-71 (.324) from the floor, 7-21 from the arc and 12-16 from the line, while garnering 37 boards, including 14 on the offensive glass, 13 fouls, 17 assists, 14 turnovers, 3 blocks and 10 steals. Kitawna Sparks paced the Kodiaks with 18 on 8-18 from the floor, 2-4 from the line and 10 boards. Courtney Deemster added 11 on 4-13 from the floor, 0-3 from the arc, 3-6 from the line, 6 boards and 3 assists. Tylee Leavitt notched 6 on 2-7 from the floor, 2-4 from the arc, 3 boards and 2 steals. Maitlin Jacobs scored 6 on 2-11 from the floor, 0-4 from the arc, 2-2 from the line, 8 boards and 5 assists. Madison Barfuss added 6 on 3-6 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc, 5 boards and 4 assists. Montana Berezay scored 6 on 2-7 from the floor, 2-5 from the arc and 2 boards. Annah Westrop added 4 on 2-5 from the floor and 5 boards, while Emily Hall and Catriona Smith were scoreless. Smith nabbed 2 boards and dished 2 assists. The Kodiaks hit 23-69 (.333) from the floor, 4-20 (.200) from the arc and 7-15 (.467) from the line, while garnering 44 boards, including 14 on the offensive glass, 16 fouls, 17 assist, 24 turnovers, 3 blocks and 4 fouls. The Kodiaks (coach Ken McMurray, assistant Matlin Jacobs, assistant Jordan Jacobs, assistant Emily Greeno) also included Tyler Graham, Olivia Leenstra, Gaby Power and Taylor Ralph.
In the last quarterfinal, the St. Mary’s University Lightning (1st, South), edged the King’s University Eagles (4th, North) 78-73 after leading 21-17, 47-39 and 60-53 at the quarters. Andria Stitt paced the Lightning with 22 on 10-20 from the floor, 2-9 from the arc, 3 boards and 6 assists. Maitlynn Wilde added 17 on 6-14 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc, 5-7 from the line, 7 boards, 3 assists and 3 steals. Jazmyn Kellogg notched 13 on 4-12 from the floor, 0-4 from the arc, 5-7 from the line, 3 boards, 2 assists and 5 steals. Danya Osterling scored 13 on 5-12 from the floor, 3-7 from the arc and 2 boards. Ivet Hidalgo added 9 on 4-8 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 1-2 from the line, 3 boards and 3 assists. Luiza Mendes scored 4 on 1-4 from the floor and 5 boards, while Chayle Clark, Chloe Bessett, Mackenzie Lachance and Adit Deng were scoreless. Clark nabbed 10 boards and dished 2 assists. The Lightning hit 31-72 (.431) from the floor, 5-23 (.217) from the arc and 11-18 (.611) from the line, while garnering 33 boards, including 13 on the offensive glass, 23 fouls, 17 assists, 16 turnovers and 11 steals. Aneilia Ayotte paced the Eagles with 21 on 9-17 from the floor, 3-4 from the line, 10 boards and 2 steals. Alyssa Yorke added 17 on 8-17 from the floor, 1-3 from the line and 12 boards. Megan Aleman notched 15 on 6-16 from the floor, 1-1 from the arc, 2-4 from the line, 4 boards, 3 assists and 2 steals. Jamie Bunting scored 8 on 1-6 from the floor, 0-3 from the arc, 6-7 from the line, 3 boards and 4 assists. Ella Majeau added 5 on 1-6 from the floor, 1-5 from the arc, 2-2 from the line, 6 boards, 6 assists and 3 steals. Cameryn Hrycun scored 4 on 0-3 from the floor, 4-6 from the line, 2 boards and 3 assists. Kayla Soetaert added 3 on 1-5 from the arc, 4 boards and 3 assists, while Casey Belway, Jadeyn Lunn, Jordana Rivet, Lauren Meters and Tori Day were scoreless. The Eagles hit 26-70 (.371) from the floor, 3-14 (.214) from the arc and 18-26 (.692) from the line, while garnering 42 boards, including 16 on the offensive glass, 18 fouls, 20 assists, 21 turnovers, 1 block and 7 steals. The Eagles (coach Brian Anstice, assistant Darren Aughtry, assistant Torey Hill, assistant Jessica Anderson, strength & conditioning Dan Aloisio) also included Emily Hugh, Tasia Ouellette, Kelsey MacPherson and Alyssa Yorke.
In the semis, the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens edged the Briercrest Clippers 66-63 after leading 13-8, 29-21 and 54-42 at the quarters. Queens coach Avery Harrison said “there’s no quit in them. They keep coming at you. … They’re a great three-point shooting team. That kept them in the game.” Harrison added that a defensive switch in the fourth quarter allows the Queens to pull out the win. “What we were doing wasn’t working. … We bent but we didn’t break.” The Clippers drew within 63-61 with 1:19 to play on an Amber Fichtner layup but their rally fell just short. Janai Hubert was chosen player of the game for the Queens while Amber Fichtner earned the laurels for the Clippers. Jania Hubert paced the Queens with 16 on 6-13 from the floor, 4-5 from the line, 10 boards, 3 assists and 2 steals. Heena Sidhu added 16 on 6-20 from the floor, 2-11 from the arc, 2-3 from the line and 2 boards. Peighton Melton notched 11 on 4-7 from the floor, 3-4 from the line and 4 boards. Sophie Melin scored 8 on 3-16 from the floor, 2-11 from the arc, 6 boards and 4 assists. Lauren France added 6 on 2-8 from the floor, 2-6 from the arc and 2 boards. Sandra Garcia-Bernal scored 5 on 2-15 from the floor, 1-4 from the arc, 5 boards, 6 assists and 2 steals. Amy Szymanek added 4 on 2-8 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 5 boards and 2 steals, while Sadie Jeffries, Keanna Richards and Emily Anderson were scoreless. The Queens hit 25-87 (.287) from the floor, 7-33 (.212) from the arc and 9-14 (.643) from the line, while garnering 34 boards, including 18 on the offensive glass, 16 fouls, 16 assists, 14 turnovers, 1 block and 9 steals. Amber Fichtner paced the Clippers with 22 on 9-13 from the floor, 4-5 from the line and 18 boards. Sydney Latrace added 18 on 6-13 from the floor, 6-11 from the arc and 2 steals. Brooklyn Martens notched 15 on 6-11 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 3-5 from the line, 5 boards, 5 assists and 2 steals. Dori Sutherland scored 3 on 1-3 from the arc, 10 boards and 4 assists. Maddison Beattie added 3 on 1-3 from the arc and 3 assists. Hannah Matuszewski scored 2 on 1-1 from the line, 3 boards and 3 assists, while Melissa Ellis, Tatian Dyck, Jasmine Repetski, Taylor Baerg, Elliott Duncalfe, Eve Duerksen and Mackenzie Fredlund were scoreless. Ellis nabbed 3 boards and dished 6 assists, while Duerksen nabbed 3 boards. The Clippers hit 24-54 (.444) from the floor, 8-22 (.364) from the arc and 7-14 from the line, while garnering 44 boards, including 8 on the offensive glass, 22 fouls, 22 assists, 23 turnovers and 8 steals.
In the other semi, the Alberta-Augustana Vikings stunned the St. Mary’s University Lightning 65-52. The score was knotted at 14 after one quarter. The Vikings led 32-24 at the half and 52-36 after three quarters. They led by as many as 20. The Vikings dominance on the boards proved the difference, said Vikings coach Megan Wickstrom. “Playing against bigger teams really prepared us for this. Knowing we had a size advantage and we’re a good rebounding team to begin with, we knew we could control the boards. … They’re dangerous on the dribble and force you to help and rotate. We’ve been much better against zones as the season went on. Our focus was to be more selective with our shots and not just take the first option.” Lauren Cardinal was chosen player of the game for the Vikings, while Maitlynn Wilde earned the laurels for the Lightning. Jenessa Doctor paced the Vikings with 13 on 4-11 from the arc, 1-2 from the line, 5 boards and 2 assists. Lauren Cardinal added 13 on 5-18 from the floor, 2-5 from the arc, 1-1 from the line, 19 boards, 2 assists and 2 steals. Kamryn De Klerk notched 12 on 6-13 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 7 boards and 6 assists. Tayah Fiveland scored 10 on 4-11 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc, 2-4 from the line, 14 boards and 5 assists. Maren Macdonald added 6 on 3-7 from the floor. Mackenzie Mrazik scored 5 on 1-7 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc, 3-4 from the line, 2 boards and 2 assists. Elli Cailliau added 4 on 1-6 from the floor, 1-4 from the arc, 1-2 from the line and 5 boards. Larissa Stephenson scored 2 on 1-5 from the floor, 0-3 from the arc and 2 boards, while Vanessa Robertson, Meadow Munroe, Ella O’Hara and Mallory Ogilvie were scoreless. The Vikings hit 25-78 (.321) from the floor, 7-28 (.250) from the arc and 8-13 (.615) from the line, while garnering 55 boards, including 19 on the offensive glass, 11 fouls, 20 assists, 16 turnovers and 3 steals. Maitlynn Wilde paced the Lightning with 23 on 10-17 from the floor, 1-4 from the arc, 2-4 from the line, 5 boards and 4 assists. Andria Stitt added 8 on 3-14 from the floor, 1-10 from the arc, 1-2 from the line and 6 boards. Danya Osterling notched 8 on 3-11 from the floor, 2-5 from the arc and 3 boards. Jazmyn Kellogg scored 7 on 2-12 from the floor, 1-5 from the arc, 2-2 from the line and 5 boards. Chayle Clark added 4 on 2-5 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc and 7 boards. Ivet Hidalgo scored 2 on 0-7 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 2-2 from the line, 2 assists and 2 steals, while Chloe Bessette, Luiza Mendes, Mackenzie Lachance and Adit Deng were scoreless. The Lightning hit 20-67 (.299) from the floor, 5-27 (.185) from the arc and 7-10 from the line, while garnering 27 boards, including 4 on the offensive glass, 13 fouls, 8 assists, 11 turnovers and 5 steals.
In the bronze medal match, the Briercrest Clippers nipped the St. Mary’s University Lightning 66-64. The Lightning led 15-10 after one quarter. The Clippers led 31-30 at the half. The Lightning led 54-46 after three quarters. Amber Richtner paced the Clippers with 15 on 7-13 from the floor, 1-2 from the line and 15 boards. Maddison Beattie added 15 on 5-10 from the floor, 1-4 from the arc, 4-4 from the line and 8 boards. Brooklyn Martens notched 14 on 4-9 from the floor, 6-8 from the line, 10 boards, 4 assists and 2 steals. Melissa Ellis scored on 3-12 from the floor, 0-3 from the arc, 2-6 from the line, 3 boards, 2 assists and 4 steals. Sydney Latrace added 8 on 1-8 from the arc, 5-7 from the line and 8 boards. Eve Duerksen scored 6 on 3-5 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 4 boards and 2 steals, while Dori Sunderland, Tatiana Dyck, Jasmine Repetski, Hannah Matuszewski, Taylor Baerg, Elliott Duncalfe, Hope Jordens, Amanda Pelster, Kiana Ens, Mackenzie Fredlund and Kendall Evans were scoreless. Sunderland nabbed 5 boards and dished 4 assists. The Clippers hit 23-62 (.371) from the floor, 2-18 (.111) from the arc and 18-29 (.621) from the line, while garnering 50 boards, including 20 on the offensive glass, 15 fouls, 13 assists, 24 turnovers, 1 block and 10 steals. Jazmyn Kellogg paced the Lightning with 18 on 7-20 from the floor, 3-11 from the arc,1-1 from the line and 2 steals. Andria Stitt added 13 on 6-19 from the floor, 1-10 from the arc, 5 boards and 8 assists. Danya Osterling notched 11 on 4-15 from the floor, 3-8 from the arc, 2 assists and 3 steals. Ivet Hidalgo scored 11 on 4-10 from the floor, 1-4 from the arc, 2-4 from the line, 4 boards and 3 assists. Maitlyn Wilde added 8 on 2-10 from the floor, 1-3 from the arc, 3-3 from the line, 10 boards and 2 assists. Chayle Clark scored 3 on 1-4 from the floor, 0-1 from the arc, 1-4 from the line, 12 boards, 3 assists and 3 steals, while Chloe Bessette, Luiza Mendes, Mackenzie Lachance and Adit Deng were scoreless. The Lightning hit 24-79 (.304) from the floor, 9-38 (.237) from the arc and 7-12 (.583) from the line, while garnering 35 boards, including 15 on the offensive glass, 22 fouls, 19 assists, 18 turnovers, 1 block and 11 steals. The Lightning (coach Steve Shoults, assistant Sunny Minhas, assistant Katie Unick, therapist Kristin Streed) also included Makanalani Montoya, Precious Serafica, Colleen Nkrumah and redshirt Brianna Strocher.
In the final, the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens dusted the Alberta-Augustana Vikings 69-44 after leading 17-7, 31-17 and 44-34 at the quarters. “Our defence really came to play today,” said Queens’ coach Avery Harrison. “We held one of the highest-scoring teams in the league to 44 points. If it wasn’t for our defence, we wouldn’t be celebrating today.” It marked the 15th straight win for the Queens since a 12-point defeat on Nov. 26. “They had a players-only meeting that lasted two hours and the next night, they came out and won by 20, and we haven’t looked back,” Harrison said. “It’s been just a real team effort the whole last half of the season. They’re a fantastic group to work with. It’s the team culture, how much they care about each other and work together.” Peighton Melton was chosen player of the game for the Queens, while Mackenzie Mrazik earned the laurels for the Vikings. Sandra Garcia-Bernal paced the Queens with 18 on 6-12 from the floor, 0-2 from the arc, 6-7 from the line, 12 boards, 8 assists and 7 steals. Amy Szymanek added 13 on 5-20 from the floor, 1-3 from the arc, 2-3 from the line, 4 boards and 2 assists. Peighton Melton notched 13 on 3-3 from the floor, 7-7 from the arc, 8 boards and 2 steals. Sophie Melin scored 12 on 4-11 from the floor, 2-5 from the arc, 2-4 from the line, 5 assists and 3 steals. Janai Hubert added 7 on 3-5 from the floor, 1-2 from the line and 3 boards. Heena Sidhu scored 6 on 2-8 from the floor, 0-3 from the arc, 2-6 from the line, 3 boards, 3 assists and 3 steals, while Sadie Jeffries, Keanna Richards, Emily Anderson and Lauren France were scoreless. The Queens hit 23-64 (.359) from the floor, 3-16 (.188) from the arc and 20-31 (.645) from the line, while garnering 35 boards, including 11 on the offensive glass, 11 fouls, 19 assists, 16 turnovers, 2 blocks and 18 steals. Tayah Fiveland paced the Vikings with 11 on 4-9 from the floor, 3-6 from the line, 12 boards, 4 assists and 3 steals. Mackenzie Mrazik added 11 on 5-17 from the floor, 1-2 from the arc, 0-2 from the line, 14 boards and 2 steals. Lauren Cardinal notched 9 on 4-11 from the floor, 1-1 from the arc, 4 boards and 2 steals. Jenessa Doctor scored 6 on 2-6 from the floor, 2-5 from the arc and 3 boards. Kamryn De Klerk added 4 on 2-9 from the floor, 0-3 from the arc, 6 boards, 6 assists and 3 steals. Maren Macdonald scored 2 on 1-3 from the floor and 2 boards. Elli Cailliau added 1 on 0-4 from the floor, 0-3 from the arc, 1-2 from the line and 5 boards, while Larissa Stephenson was scoreless. The Vikings hit 18-62 (.290) from the floor, 4-15 (.267) from the arc and 4-10 from the line, while garnering 47 boards, including 15 on the offensive glass, 23 fouls, 13 assists, 33 turnovers and 11 steals.
The all-tournament team featured MVP Sandra Garcia-Bernal (Red Deer); Amber Fichtner (Briercrest); Maitlynn Wilde (St. Mary’s); Kamryn De Klerk (Alberta-Augustana); Heena Sidhu (Red Deer); and Teyah Fiveland (Alberta-Augustana).
The honourable mention all-tournament team included Maja Besic (Keyano); Megan Aleman (The King’s University); Sydney Latrace (Briercrest); Danya Osterling (St. Mary’s); and Kitawna Sparks (Lethbridge).
The bronze medalist Briercrest Clippers: Amber Richtner; Maddison Beattie; Brooklyn Martens; Melissa Ellis; Sydney Latrace; Eve Duerksen; Dori Sunderland; Tatiana Dyck; Jasmine Repetski; Hannah Matuszewski; Taylor Baerg; Elliott Duncalfe; Hope Jordens; Amanda Pelster; Kiana Ens; Mackenzie Fredlund; Kendall Evans; coach Anthony Skepple; assistant Carter Martens
The silver medalist University of Alberta-Augustana Vikings: Jenessa Doctor; Tayah Fiveland; Alex Asuncion; Vanessa Robertson; Larissa Stephenson; Elli Cailliau; Lauren Cardinal; Kamryn de Klerk; Maren Macdonald; Meadow Munroe; Ella O’Hara; Mackenzie Mrazik; Mallory Ogilvie; Liv Sveinsson; Emma Fraser; Frances Tiongson; coach Megan Wickstrom; assistant Josh Lyons; assistant Alyssa Banez; student trainer Paige Yates
The champion Red Deer Polytechnic Queens: Sadie Jeffries; Keanna Richards; Amy Szymanek; Mallory Uskiw; Emily Anderson; Lauren France; Sophie Melin; Heena Sidhu; Peighton Melton; Janai Hubert; Sandra Garcia-Bernal; coach Avery Harrison; assistant Nadine Cunningham; assistant Sheldon Frank