In the quarterfinals, held in Grande Prairie, the Lethbridge Catholic Central Cittens edged the Calgary St. Mary’s Saints 48-45. The Saints had led 37-30 after three quarters but the Cittens closed it out with an 18-8 run. Dawn Fry led the Cittens with 14. Kathy Kinahan and Dee Martin each added 12, while Sherry Kropinak scored 8 and nabbed 16 boards. Kinahan also nabbed 14 boards. Cittens coach Cal O’Brien credited the boardwork and a man-to-man defence with turning the game around in the fourth period. Cittens led 10-8 after one quarter. The score was tied at 22 at the half. The Cittens were without star point guard Dori Rodzinyak, who suffered a knee injury late in the season. The Saints also included Debbie Patterson.
The host Grande Prairie St. Joseph’s Ceinahs defeated the Lethbridge Collegiate Institute Clipper Queen’s 47-42. The Clipper Queens led 13-7, 24-21 and 34-30 at the quarters. Louise Vantervese paced the Ceinahs with 17. Liz Walker added 15. The Ceinahs hit 17-67 from the floor and 13-27 from the line. Karen Stetar led the Clipper Queens with 11. Melissa Kotkas added 8 and Megan Nowlin 7. The Clipper Queens (coached by Doug Kempt) also included Sabine Seitz, Sophi Hicken, Ingrid Hess, Pam Konynenbelt, Debbie Manthel, Chris Peters and Kathy Attwell.
The Calgary E.P. Scarlett Lancers defeated the Edmonton Archbishop O’Leary Spartans 58-50. The Spartans (coached by Taffy Mackie) included Michelle Patry, Maureen Gordash, Sharon Holubowich.
In the last quarterfinal, the Red Deer Lindsay Thurber Raiders (then the Kittens) dispatched the Edmonton McNally Tigers 36-35 in overtime as Dawn Schooler scored 21 and Nancy Johnstone 8. Shelly Watson led the Tigers with 14. The Tigers also included Ally Greig, Jan Kozak, Shannon Hoople, Jean Watson. The score was knotted at 31 after regulation.
In the semis, the Grande Prairie St. Joseph’s Ceinahs clubbed the Calgary E.P. Scarlett Lancers 45-31 as Louise Vant Erve scored 16, Lisa Elsender 11 and Liz Walker 11. The Ceinhas led 14-6, 24-16 and 39-19 at the quarters. The Lancers included Karla Karch.
In the other semi, the Lethbridge Catholic Central Cittens whipped the Red Deer Lindsay Thurber Raiders 56-35.. Jerri Koening paced the Kittens with 13.
In the bronze medal match, the Calgary E.P. Scarlett Lancers clocked the Red Deer Lindsay Thurber Raiders 58-34 as Karla Karch scored 19. Dawn Schooler led the Raiders with 15. The Raiders (coached by Ellen Van Doesburg) also included Dorothy Lynn, Nancy Johnstone, Jill Jeske, Jerri Koening, Nancy Lenaburg, Denise Mills, Margo McKee.
In the final, the host Grande Prairie St. Joseph’s Ceinahs defeated the Lethbridge Catholic Central Cittens 57-53. The Ceinahs led 20-16, 28-24 and 34-31 at the quarters. Louise Vant Erve paced the Ceinahs with 21. Liz Walker added 20. Ceinahs coach Patrick McDonald, who also coached the St. Joseph’s Celtics to a 2A boys title during the campaign, told the Grande Prairie Herald Tribune that “I’m surprised they did so well. It’s a pleasant surprise. I think we were underrated because earlier in the year we played bad.” Vant Erve said “it’s a good graduation present. We were the underdogs (having lost to the Cittens earlier in the season). We had a job to do and we did it.” McDonald said “Louise has had some bad experiences in provincials (2nd in 1980 and 3rd in 1981). She knew this time she wasn’t going to be denied.” Lisette Boulet hit two free throws with 1:30 to play to give the Ceinahs a 51-46 lead. McDonald said “those were really key points. They put us up by five instead of three.” Linda Smith nit a free throw for the Cittens to make it 51-47. Vant Erve countered with a bucket but Dawn Fry answered with two free throws. Liz Walker hit two free throws to make a 55-49 game with 38 seconds to play. Citten guard Dee Martin responded with two field goals before Ceinah Lisa Elsender notched the final layup with 10 seconds remaining on the clock. Dawn Fry paced the Cittens with 18. Sherry Kropinak added 12. Cittens coach Cal O’Brien said “we broke the press relatively well but we didn’t finish. Breaking the press means you have to finish.” McDonald said “we played great defence. They couldn’t penetrate our defence. Intensity and defence played a big part in our winning.”
The bronze medalist Calgary E.P. Scarlett Lancers: Karla Karch; Deanna McMahon;
The silver medalist Lethbridge Catholic Central Cittens: Dawn Fry; Kathy Kinahan; Dee Martin; Sherry Kropinak; Linda Smith; Dori Rodzinyak; Margie Gal; Lori Fry; Sandra Yanosik; Maria Heilman; Lorraine Beaudin; Charlene Hommulis; Vanessa Pittman; Sherri Malchow; coach Cal O’Brien
The gold medalist Grande Prairie St. Joseph’s Ceinahs: Louise Vanterve; Liz Walker; Lisa Elsender; Louise Banterue; Lisette Boulette; Heather Gorman; Susan Walwa; coach Patrick McDonald