In the opening round, held in Calgary, the 8th-seeded Edmonton McNally Tigers defeated the 9th-seeded Lethbridge Collegiate Institute Clipper Queens 65-61 as Melissa Palichuk scored 21. Jill Fletcher led the Clipper Queens with 21. The Clipper Queens (coached by Larry Baker, assisted by Wayne Erickson) also included Loni Scott, Sheighla Payne, Kristy MacLennan, Jan Leavitt, Julie Sommerfeldt, Lindsay Evans, Christyn Grant, Landree Lybbert, Paula Evans, Janay Hamilton, Kim Finn and Kim Leavitt. …………………………………………………… The 7th-seeded Red Deer Hunting Hills Lighting whipped the 10th-seed Grande Prairie Composite Totems 104-70 as Leah Hunt scored 25, Jill Potts 19, Andi Crowe-Sword 14, Jillian McKenzie 14, Markita Luchkow 13 and Jody Potts 10. The Lightning’s full-court pressure rattled the Totems. Danielle Joly paced Grande Prairie with 34.
In the quarterfinals, the 6th-seeded Calgary Sir Winston Churchill Bulldogs stunned the 3rd-seeded Edmonton Archbishop O’Leary Spartans 81-69. Debra Hidson, a 6-2 post who’d joined the Bulldogs in January after her family moved from Winnipeg dominated the paint, while scoring 15. Libby Miller led Churchill with 27. Katy Patterson added 20. “We just wanted to make the provincials and then to make it to the winning side of the draw and we did,” Hidson told the Calgary Herald. Amanda Smith led the Spartans with 18. Rebecca Kutney added 17. Bulldog coach Rick Frey said his troops confused the Spartans by switching screens constantly. “There were times when we were getting the ball right in our hands. I was really proud of the kids. Those kids come on at times and do great things. I talked to them at halftime about keeping the focus. I said: we’re not saying anything. We’re not going to think about the next game and taking this game.” The Spartans (coached by Ron Kutney) also included Lea Juszkiewicz, Nicole Sorochan, Erin Sherback, Rebecca Kutney, Jacqueline Downing, Amanda Smith.
The top-seeded Calgary Dr. E.P. Scarlett Lancers whipped the 8th-seeded Edmonton McNally Tigers 91-60. The Lancers perimeter shooting and pressure defence dismantled the Tigers. Annie Walker paced the Lancers with 20. The Tigers also included Colleen Yukes, Melissa Palichuk, Beth McKenzie.
The 5th-seeded Calgary Bishop Grandin Ghosts edged the 4th-seeded Edmonton Harry Ainlay Titans 71-68. “We kind of failed on defence,” Titan guard Kelly Barrett told the Calgary Herald. “They played really well.” Ghosts coach Neil Flaherty said “we have a terrific team with lots of talent. Ainlay gave us a good fight and we earned our victory.” The Titans were coached by Bryan Anderson.
In the last quarterfinal, the 2nd-seeded Medicine Hat Kwahommies defeated the 7th-seeded Red Deer Hunting Hills Lightning 76-54 as Theresa Jantzen scored 40. Jody Potts paced the Lightning with 25. Jill Potts added 10 and Leah Hunt 10. Lightning coach Sandre Goheen told the Red Deer Advocate that “they’re an excellent team but when we got to within six in the second half, then simply lost our legs. Maybe we wouldn’t have beaten them but if this would have been our first game, it would have been a battle.” The Lighning also included Kristy Martin, Andi Crowe-Swords, Jillian Mackenzie, Courtney Johnson.
In the semis, the top-seeded Calgary Dr. E.P. Scarlett Lancers defeated 5th-seeded Calgary Bishop Grandin Ghosts 79-64 to earn their first berth in a provincial final. “I think we’ve known since the beginning of the year,” 6-1 post Laura Jablonski told the Calgary Herald. “We just knew if we played to our potential and we peaked at the right time – which we are – this would be the year. Coach told us before the game ‘treat it like any other game. He said, don’t succumb to all the pressure. Yet, this might be your last chance to win provincials. But use that to your advantage. Don’t let it scare you’.” The Lancers took a 40-27 lead at the half and maintained their intensity to the final buzzer, letting the Ghosts no nearer than 11. Ghost coach Neil Flaherty was pleased his troops rallied late. “We were able to get the crowd back into it. We forced Bryce to call a timeout, and forced him to bring his starters back on. That shows we were pushing them.” Misty Watson led the Lancers with 20. Christi Allan added 19. Annie Walker added 16 and Jablonski 14. Katie McDonaugh led the Ghosts with 22.
In the other semi, the defending champion and 2nd-seeded Medicine Hat Kwahommies defeated the 6th-seeded Calgary Sir Winston Churchill Bulldogs 78-46 as 6-2 post Theresa Jantzen scored 32. Bulldogs coach Rick Frey stopped Jantzen in the hall after the match, and, according to the Calgary Herald, told her: “You were tough in there, girl. Our kids really watch you guys a lot, your cohesiveness. You’re a great team.” Kwahommies coach Boris Grisonich was equally effusive about the Arizona State-bound Jantzen. “Our patience paid off and Theresa was vital to the win. … We just love her to death. She’s a gifted player. She was a great eye for the basket. When she gets the ball, is the result is two points or a foul.” Jantzen said the Kwahommies bench stepped up. “It was awesome. That gives us a boost, when people come off the bench and step it up like that.” Frey told the Calgary Herald that “Theresa is a great player and we couldn’t stop her. And no matter what we tried, we couldn’t get much.” The Kwahommies led 43-23 at the half. Libby Miller paced the Bulldogs with 18.
In the bronze medal match, the 5th-seeded Calgary Bishop Grandin Ghosts defeated the 6th-seeded Calgary Sir Winston Churchill Bulldogs 74-72. “Our team worked together on defence and our starters stepped up to make the difference,” guard Melissa McIlhone told the Calgary Herald. The game was tied with six minutes to play but Grandin pulled away as Katie McDonaugh took command. She finished with 17. Churchill rookie Katy Paterson had a chance to force overtime at the buzzer but her jumper misfired. Paterson led the Bulldogs with 26. Bulldogs coach Rick Frey told the Calgary Herald that “we hung in there and in no way will be walking out of here with our heads down.” The Bulldogs (coached by Frey) also included Libby Miller, Debra Hidson, Lindsey McLafferty, Brooke Falkheid, Marika Whitehead.
In the final, the top-seeded Calgary Dr. E.P. Scarlett Lancers prevented the 2nd-seeded Medicine Hat Kwahommies from winning a third consecutive title by pulling out a 78-74 win. The Lancers intensity and team play proved the difference as they captured their first title since 1986. “I can’t think of anything to say, except for swears,” 6-1 post Laura Jablonski told the Calgary Herald. “It’s kind of hit me and it kind of hasn’t. I’m speechless, this is awesome. We rock.” The lead changed hands back and forth throughout the first half until three minutes to go when Scarlett took over. “I thought we were well-rounded,” said Lancers coach Bryce Tolley, whose team took a 34-29 lead at the half. “When you have seven, eight, 10 girls on the scoresheet . . . that’s something. These girls have worked all year long for this, and to see it culminate in a championship, it’s a dream come true, really.” Medicine Hat post Theresa Jantzen said “we thought we were ready for them, but they were the better team tonight. Every one of their players contributed so much. It’s hard to beat them when all of them contribute like that.” Jantzen scored 37. Laura Jablonski led the Lancers with 19. Forward Annie Walker added 16. “We were working at it all year,” said Lancers guard Misty Watson. “We just wanted it so bad, and everyone knew if we worked our hardest, we’d win. I’m still in shock.” Added Tolley: “Somebody told us before the game, we’re the team to beat. I don’t know about that, but I know we were a team ready to play tonight.” Medicine Hat finished 33-2 on the season, while E.P. Scarlett finished 30-0. Kwahommies coach Boris Grisonich said “you always want to have one of those games that click for you at the end of the year, and we didn’t. We played a fantastic semifinal and a fantastic zone final and in the final, the ball just didn’t fall for us. … Every time we got some momentum and looked like we were going to have a chance to catch up. There would be a call that didn’t go our way or we’d have a turnover or a missed shot and they’d come down and hit that extra shot to go up by five.” The Kwahommies’ fate was sealed a minute from the end when Arizona State-bound Theresa Jantzen fouled out. “At the end, Theresa fouled out, Renee Smid fouled out and we were down to five perimeter players trying to make a comeback … It was really disappointing to lose after a great three years and a great season, especially since it was so close. … Everything they shot went in and we had a rough time shooting. It was disappointing, but I think we still have lots to be proud of.” Jantzen said “we’re just not used to those situations. We were never in any close games. We were behind for a lot of that final game and we just didn’t know how to come back.” Grosonich said “it was an outstanding year. Unfortunately, your year is usually judged by your last game. We had some great memories, won some huge games in some huge tournaments. I’m really proud of this team and I’ll look back on this year as one of the best.”
The bronze medalist Calgary Bishop Grandin Ghosts: Katie McDonaugh; Melissa McIlhone; Chrissy Job; Natalie Levy; Simone Olinek; Renee Tratechaud; coach Neil O’Flaherty
The silver medalist Medicine Hat Kwahommies: Theresa Jantzen; Erica Jantzen; Jackie Milner; Anita Hoyt; Jill Cleland; Renee Smid; Adina White; Amanda George; Kristie Tokunaga; Carrie Clark; Lisa Tshritter; Adele Stimson; Elisa Jantzen; Brandi Greenstein; Erlene Garyk; coach Boris Grisonich
The gold medalist Calgary Dr. E.P. Scarlett Lancers: Laura Jablonski; Misty Watson; Annie Walker; Cristi Allan; Susan Gronberg; Sarah Nadeau; Meg Merrill; Tania Cimolai; Allison Goodbrand; Lindy Simonsen; Kate Lalonde; Kristie Gilbert; coach Bryce Tolley