Final regular season standings (8): Montmorency (12-2); Ste-Foy (8-6); John Abbott (8-6); Sherbrooke (8-6);
Playoff non-qualifiers:
Vanier Cheetahs: Marie-Tona Claude, Alexandra Gravel, Keisha Wilson, Jennifer Neil, Debbie Ruiz,
Victoriaville Vulkins: Genevieve Garneau, Veronique Aubin,
In the semis, the Ste-Foy Dynamiques defeated John Abbott Islanders 86-53. Islanders coach Rick McBrien told the Montreal Gazette that “we started the season with nine rookies and it takes time for them to develop. As defending national champs, we entered the season with high expectations. But in today’s game, Ste-Foy as definitely the better team.”
In the other semi, the 4th-seeded Sherbrooke Volontaires upset the regular season champ Montmorency Nomades 88-77 as all-Canadian Julie Rodrigue scored 27 and Maude Vallieres 20. The Volontaires overcame a seven-point second half deficit. Pascale Morin paced the Nomades with 26 points, 8 boards and 6 assists.
In the bronze medal match, the John Abbott Lady Islanders defeated the Montmorency Nomades 71-70 as Marie-Pier Veilleux hit a trey in the final minute and Bradlee Tabah hit a driving layup with eight seconds to play. Anne Catherine Leduc led the Islanders with 18 points and 14 boards.
In the final, the Ste-Foy Dynamiques captured the title with a 69-66 victory over the Sherbrooke Volontaires. The game was close for the entire 40 minutes and there were numerous lead changes. Sherbrooke held a slim 33-32 lead at the half but forward Isabelle Grenier rallied the Dynamiques. She took over the game in the paint, dominating the boards and nailing put-back rebounds. The 5-10 product of Quebec high school power Les Compagnos de Cartier scored 19. “The game was a tough battle,” Grenier said. “It was important that we keep focused and play it minute-by-minute. We had to stay intense and not let things get away from us. If we play together, good things will happen. But when we don’t, things don’t go well.” Ste-Foy coach Sonia Ritchie said Grenier “made some really important baskets for us. This was a real championship game since both teams were playing so well and it was nice to pull it out.” Marie-Helen Pedneau added 14 for the Dynamiques. Melisande Blais added 12 as did Chantale Bellavance. Grenier said “I was open a lot and the girls got me the ball. When they pass me the ball and I have room to shot, then that makes it easy. Plus, when I wasn’t scoring, it seemed like the other girls were putting the ball in.” Catherine Charbonneau paced Sherbrooke with 17. Julie Rodrigue and Maude Vallieres each had 13. Ritchie said “I’m very happy with what we did here. We worked really hard and I think we controlled Sherbrooke’s speed. Plus, we limited what their best player, Julie Rodrigue, did and that helped.”
The bronze medalist John Abbott Lady Islanders: Marie-Pier Veilleux; Anne Catherine Leduc; Bradlee Tabah; Nimmie Bains; Jenn MacAulay; Veronique Dassylva; Natalie La France; Andrea Jarosh; Valerie Bain; Julie Sigouin; Tamara Faubert; Jennifer Murray; Beeban Natt; coach Rick McBrien; assistant Chantal Guilbeault; assistant Steve Cochrane; assistant Chantal Rozon; academic coach Kevin Gearey
The silver medalist Sherbrooke Volontaires: Catherine Charbonneau; Julie Rodrigue; Maude Vallieres; Amilie Rousseau; Valerie Rousseau; Christine Tremblay; Amelie Founier; Veronique Dunn; Stefanny Doyon; Nepale Thibodeau;
The champion Ste-Foy Dynamiques: Marie-Helene Pedneau; Chantale Bellevance; Melisande Blais; Anne Mailly; Eloise Begin; Sarah Gagne; Isabelle Grenier; Catherine Larochelle; Catherine Gauthier; Caroline McNicoll; Marie-Andree Roy; Marie Anne Bosse; coach Sonia Ritchie