At the start of the season, Assiniboine CC and the University of Winnipeg (after a two-year hiatus) join the loop.
Final regular season standings (5): University of Winnipeg College (10-1); Red River (9-2); Canadian Mennonite (4-7); Oak Hills Christian (2-6); Providence College (1-10)
In the semis, held at Providence College in Otterburne, the top-seeded University of Winnipeg College Wesmen smacked the Bemidji, Minnesota-based Oak Hills Christian Wolf Pack 101-57. Both squads came out scoring early with a barrage of first half 3’s from Wesmen Jon Picicci (4), and Anwar Ahmed (3), as well as Oak Hills’ Thomas Connor, Justin Steinke, Josh Mueth, and Moe Blackmon. However, it was all Wesmen as they amassed 37 second quarter points to take a 61-30 lead into the break. The second half saw a steady progression to the Wesmen lead as they continued to force turnovers and dominate the glass. Given Isaac’s 8 points and consistent play at both ends earned him the Wesmen play of the game, while Moe Blackmon’s impressive game-high 25 points garnered him the Wolf Pack’s nod.
In the other semi, the 2nd-seeded Red River Rebels defeated the 3rd-seeded Canadian Mennonite Blazers 69-59. The underdog Blazers came out shooting, gaining an 11-4 lead early. Both sides exchanged threes as CMU lead 22-15 after one. A pair of buckets from all-conference selection Cory Neufeld got RRC back into the game quickly, but both teams displayed their scoring ability with offensive bursts being exchanged. Regular season co-MVP Wyatt Anders found himself at the line often, as the Rebels tried to stop his offensive production down low. Anders’ 7 points in the quarter gave CMU a 36-34 lead at the half. The third quarter saw Red River come out fast and strong as freshman guard Chanse Kornick immediately dropped 4 of his 16 points on the day. A 13-4 run to start the half promoted Blazer head coach Darcy Coss to call a timeout. When his squad returned, they switched to a 2-3 zone defence to try and halt the Rebels’ offensive burst. CMU’s Anders continued to be the focal point of the Blazer offence adding 8 in the quarter to his 16 on the day. However, the Blazers trailed 53-47 heading into the final frame. Freshman guard Roger Beals and fourth-year veteran forward Dave Isbister helped CMU tie things up at 55, but it was Cory Neufeld and second-year standout Jason Malcolm pushing the Rebels ahead the win. Wyatt Anders was named CMU’s player of the game, while Jason Malcolm earned RRC’s nod with 15 points and strong on-court leadership in the absence of regular season co-MVP and team leader Josh Olaes.
In the final, the 2nd-seeded Red River College Rebels defeated the top-seeded University of Winnipeg College Wesmen 89-78 to capture their third consecutive crown and avenge two regular season losses. The Rebels built an 11-point lead late in the first quarter and expanded it to 16 in the second quarter. But led by first-year forward Lexy Blacksmith, who ultimately led both teams in points with 23, the College Wesmen rallied to within 46-44 at the half. The score remained close throughout the third quarter but with solid play by first-year guard Chanse Kornick, the Rebels were able to keep their slim lead. The Rebels took command in the fourth quarter. Key points by Corey Neufeld and Josh Olaes put the Rebels in cruise control. Rebels coach Sukh Singh told The Projector that “words can’t express how proud I am of these guys. They battled through.” For fifth-year Rebel and 2010-11 regular season co-MVP Josh Olaes, who was named player of the game and tournament MVP, said “we controlled the tempo very well and executed when we had to.” Lexy Blacksmith was chosen as the Wesmen Player of the Game.
The silver medalist University of Winnipeg College Wesmen: Lexy Blacksmith; Jon Picicci; Given Isaac; Anwar Ahmed;
The champion Red River Rebels: Chanse Kornick; Josh Olaes; Corey Neufeld; Jason Malcolm; Matt Loewen; Graham Fardoe; coach Sukhvir Singh