Final regular season standings (9): Dawson (14-2); Montmorency (13-3); Vanier (10-6); Champlain-Lennoxville (x-x);
Playoff non-qualifiers:
John Abbott Islanders: Alex Bourgeois, Danny Lefebvre, Duane Woodward, Fred Lapointe, Kenny Clyke, Michael McCaatty, Ricardo Scott, Geoff Judge, coach Mike Boutin (until December), coach Chris Hunter
Midway through the season, Mike Boutin stepped aside as coach of John Abbott. He was replaced by Chris Hunter, whose credentials included a 10-year stint with the Islander women from 1977-87, during which he won an unprecedented six national championships while compiling an overall record of 290 wins and 83 losses. From there, he moved on to McGill University, where he coached the Martlets until 1994. His record at McGill was 137-82 for a winning percentage of .625. His teams finished first on three occasions and won two Quebec titles (1988 and ’93). Despite his winning record at McGill, he was replaced by former Lady Isles coach Lisen Moore.
In the semis, the Dawson Blues defeated the Champlain-Lennoxville Cougars 76-71. The Blues’ defensive intensity and up-tempo game proved more effective than the Cougars superior size. Dawson led 37-32 at the half and ripped off a 24-6 run in the second half to take a 68-46 lead. The Cougars refused to quit. Sparked by 6-9 Damian Reid and 6-4 Paul Wright, Champlain-Lennoxville exploded for 12 unanswered points to cut the margin to six with three minutes to play. But all-Canadian Kirk Reid drilled a trey to give Dawson a 73-64 lead. “We ran a set out-of-bounds play and I was left open in the corner,” Reid told the Montreal Gazette. “Toward the end of the game, we lost our focus a bit and allowed them to score inside. As long as we remember to play as a team, we’ll be successful.” Blues coach Olga Hrycak noted that “it wasn’t pretty but a win is a win. In the first half, we were letting them beat us to the basket and off the boards. We picked it up in the second half and are going to need a more consistent effort (in the final).” Reid led the Blues with 39 points and 16 boards. Wright paced the Cougars with 18.
In the other semi, the Montmorency Nomades annihilated the Vanier Cheetahs 91-77. The Nomades led by as many as 26 in the second half before the Cheetahs to within eight with two minutes to play. But all-Canadian guard Philippe Langlois scored an unusual six-point play to ice it. Langlois was intentionally fouled driving to the hoop and Vanier was charged with two technicals in the ensuing melee. Langlois calmly hit all six free throws.
In the bronze medal match, the Vanier Cheetahs defeated the Champlain-Lennoxville Cougars 66-65 as Shawn Critchlow scored 21. Lennoxville led by 17 at the half.
In the final, the Dawson Blues defeated the Montmorency Nomades 85-80 to capture their 10th provincial crown. “It was nice to win,” forward Prosper Karangwa told the Montreal Gazette. “But this year we’re not happy with just winning the provincials. It is our goal to medal at the nationals.” Head coach Olga Hrycak was also hopeful of the Blues national chances. “I like to think we’ll do better at the nationals (than last year’s fourth-place finish. The Quebec league was very competitive this year and winning this tournament wasn’t easy. But going to the nationals a second time makes you want it more.” The Blues overcame a sluggish start against Montmorency and used their patented pressing defence and depth to pull ahead. Dawson pressed the Nomades relentlessly, forcing numerous turnovers and easy transition buckets. Dawson trailed 48-45 at the half before Hrycak reminded them to play better defence. “If we score 45, we’re on pace to score 90 and that should be enough to win. But we can’t let them score 48 on us. So, the difference was in the second half the guys went out and played better defence.” Karangwa said “we really toughened up in the second half. We knew we could score on them and it was just a matter of us tightening up.” Karangwa led Dawson with 25 pounds. Donald Joseph added 19 and Rodwins Auriantal 10. Paul Stephens led Montmorency with 18. Charles Fortier added 12, Philippe Langlois 12 and Marc-Leonce Volcy 11. In the second half, Montmorency was unable to use its height advantage up front. “We came out hard and playing as a team and we didn’t let anything get in our way,” said Karangwa. “My teammates played for me and I played for them. They got me the ball and today it was me shooting well.” Langlois was chosen Montmorency’s player of the game. Montmorency coach Guy Parizeau noted that “we played a strong game against Dawson but we do not have their depth and injuries to David Ruel and Karim Maouad really hurt us in the second half.” Hrycak said “our depth and defensive pressure were the difference tonight.”
The bronze medalist Vanier Cheetahs: Shawn Critchlow; Brian Stewart; Casio Bynoe; Lunzaya Niandu; Shaun Peters; Donald Nycklass; Patrick Kabongo;
The silver medalist Montmorency Nomades: Paul Stephens; Charles Fortier; Philippe Langlois; Marc-Leonce Volcy; David Ruel; Karim Maouad; coach Guy Parizeau.
The champion Dawson Blues: Prosper Karangwa; Donald Joseph; Rodwins Auriantal; Jacques Vigneault; Frederic Bernard; Kinte Ambrose; Kirk Reid; coach Olga Hrycak