In the quarterfinals, held in Lethbridge, the Sherwood Park Salisbury Saints edged the Calgary Bishop Grandin Ghosts 54-51 as Cari Miller scored 15 and Kelly Brooks 12. Julie Bordin led the Ghosts with 12. Lori Hansen added 11. The Ghosts (coached by Wayne McDougall) also included Linda Orr, Megan Miller.
The St. Albert Paul Kane Blues nipped the Lethbridge Catholic Central Cittens 55-54 despite trailing by 20 with 20 minutes to play. The Blues exploded for a 21-1 run to take a 53-51 lead with 49 seconds to play. Carmen Knutson hit a pair of free throws for the Cittens to knot the score at 53 but Rae Lynn Goss drove for a layup and was fouled with 12 seconds on the clock. She missed the free throw and fouled Sandra Royer, who hit 1-2 from the line, allowing the Blues to escape with the win. “That was the most unbelievable game I’ve ever seen in 12 years of coaching,” said Blues coach Mark Dobko. “I’ve never seen a comeback like that. The pressure may have got to them (Cittens) a little and they did some uncharacteristic things. Once it (comeback) started, it was like a tidal wave.” Goss paced the Blues with 25. Dianne Byciuk added 19. Martina Szilagyi led the Cittens with 14. Vanessa Upton and Carmen Knutson each added 12. The Cittens (coached by Susan Tokariuk) also included Tina Ouellette, Diana Smits, Carmen Knutson.
The Medicine Hat Kwahommies dumped the Grande Prairie St. Joseph’s Ceinahs 66-48 as Loretta Hatzelaar scored 24, Cory Ennis 12, Jennie Umpleby 11 and Jodi Denman 8. Both squads were in foul trouble for most of the affair. Jackie Hebert paced the Ceinahs with 19. The Ceinahs led 28-24 at the half. Ceinahs coach Patrick McDonald told the Grande Prairie Herald Tribune that “we didn’t play badly. Our problem was a lack of height. … We played extremely tough defence. They threw up the ball and then it was one, two, three rebounds.” The Ceinahs (coached by McDondald) also included Michelle Hebert, Shauna Grant.
In the last quarterfinal, the Edmonton Harry Ainlay Titans stomped the Calgary St. Mary’s Saints 72-50 as Allison Smith scored 19. Joanne Ross added 18 and Chris White 15. Heather Bohez led the Saints with 19. Laura Brackenbury added 14. The Saints (coached by Barry Calon) also included Helen Kubok.
In the semis, the Sherwood Park Salisbury Sabres edged the St. Albert Paul Kane Blues 53-49 as Des Lupel scored 17.
In the other semi, the Edmonton Harry Ainlay Titans smacked the Medicine Hat Kwahommies 64-51 as Joanna Ross scored 25. Corey Ennis paced the Kwahommies with 31.
In the bronze medal match, the St. Albert Paul Kane Blues dispatched the Medicine Hat Kwahommies 58-54 as Dianne Byciuk scored 16 and Rae Lynn Goss 14. Corey Ennis paced the Kwahommies with 14. Loretta Hazelaar added 12 and Karen Bootlan 10. The Kwahommies (coached by Bren Ennis) also included Carmen Lonson, Jeannine Umpleby, Robyn Oliphant, Jodi Denmon, Kerry Lonson, Shelly Hensel.
In the final, the Sherwood Park Salisbury Sabres defeated the Edmonton Harry Ainlay Titans 58-53 to avenge three regular season losses. “The first two games with Ainlay weren’t very competitive,” Sabres coach Jim Lazaruk told the Lethbridge Herald. “The score flattered us in both. The third game was last Saturday and it was a two-point game until the last two minutes.” The Sabres built a 42-28 lead at the half but the Titans rallied within 53-51 with two minutes to play. Trace Wilkie hit a pair of free throws to extend the lead to four. Allison Smith responded with a driving layup for the Titans but the Sabres hung on for the win. “The first time we played Ainlay, we were intimidated by their size and aggressiveness,” said Lazaruk. “Tonight, we caught them a little unexpected, I think. After beating us three times in a row, I know I would have been the same way. It’s only natural.” The Titans had rallied with full-court pressure but the Sabres maintained their poise. The Sabres played without 6-1 centre Tara Nelson, who was traveling in Europe. “I think we came closer together. Everyone knew they had to pick up the slack. It tells you what kind of team they’re made of.” Cari Miller paced the Sabres with 12. Joanna Ross led the Titans with 18. Allison Smith added 13 and Chris White 11.
The bronze medalist St. Albert Paul Kane Blues: Holly Landseidel, Dianne Byciuk; Rae Lynn Goss;
The silver medalist Edmonton Harry Ainlay Titans: Allison Smith; Joanne Ross; Chris White; Andrea Donaldson; coach Narindar Riar
The gold medalist Sherwood Park Salisbury Sabres: Cari Miller; Kelly Brooks; Trace Wilkie; Tara Nelson; Des Lupel; coach Jim Lazaruk