In the opening round, held in Wetaskiwin: …………………………………………………… The 7th-seeded Beaumont Bandits dumped the 10th-seed St. Paul Saints 73-50. …………………………………………………… The 6th-seeded Medicine Hat Crescent Heights Vikings defeated the Calgary Queen Elizabeth Knights 70-53. …………………………………………………… The 9th-seeded Wetaskiwin Sabres edged the 8th-seed Westlock R.F. Staples Thunderbirds 55-53 as Mike Montgomery scored 28. …………………………………………………… The 5th-seeded High River Highwood Mustangs defeated the 12th-seed Beaverlodge Royals 79-69.
In the quarterfinals, the 2nd-seeded Rocky Mountain House Will Sinclair Rebels defeated the 7th-seeded Beaumont Bandits 59-54. “The first game we looked a little rusty and didn’t play that well,” Rebels coach Derek Durocher told the Red Deer Advocate. “But it woke everyone up.”
The 3rd-seeded Strathmore Spartans defeated the 6th-seeded Medicine Hat Crescent Heights Vikings 80-63 to avenge a midseason loss. “They made nice adjustments,” Vikings assistant coach Trevor Lind told the Medicine Hat News. “Strathmore played a good zone on us and their intensity was a lot higher than ours.” Brock Hale led the Vikings with 34. Corey Hyde added 11. The Vikings (coached by Ben Bullock) also included Steve Lind, Devin Harding, Isaac Walsh, Kerby Merrick, Colton Mertz, Lyle Woodward, Andre Brazeau, James Gartry.
The top-seeded Edmonton St. Joseph Saints nipped the 9th-seeded Wetaskiwin Sabres 53-51. The Sabres included Keith Taylor, Mike Montgomery.
The 4th-seeded Camrose Trojans edged the 5th-seeded High River Highwood Mustangs 61-60.
In the semis, the 2nd-seeded Rocky Mountain House Will Sinclair Rebels defeated the 3rd-seeded Strathmore Spartans 91-80 in overtime. Rebels starting point guard Brenden Nicolay fouled out late in the fourth quarter but rookie Owen Davies stepped in. “He came in and was outstanding just when we needed him,” Rebels coach Derek Durocher told the Red Deer Advocate.
In the other semi, the 4th-seeded Camrose Trojans stunned the top-seeded Edmonton St. Joseph Saints 66-57.
In the bronze medal match, the 3rd-seeded Strathmore Spartans whacked the top-seeded Edmonton Saint Joseph Saints 86-60.
In the final, the 2nd-seeded Rocky Mountain House Will Sinclair Rebels defeated the 4th-seeded Camrose Trojans 69-65. “Four of our starters played football and they were willing to do that little extra . . . to dive for a loose ball and grind it out,” Rebels coach Derek Durocher told the Red Deer Advocate. “That rubbed off on the team. Everyone was willing to give it that little extra with a refuse-to-lose attitude.” Cass Varcoe paced the Rebels with 32. “Cass was our offensive leader, but everyone contributed,” added Durocher. “In fact, our big men did a great job inside.
Grade 12 post players Kyle Stretch and Mike Witten both hauled down their share of rebounds in the final. Mike grabbed a huge rebound late in the game and got the ball outside, which sealed the victory. … But Cody (Varcoe) and Cass hit threes to start the second half and it was a see-saw battle the rest of the way.” The Rebels trailed by six at the half.
The bronze medalist Strathmore Spartans: Andrej Vrebac; Andrew Buckle; Matt Taylor; Clark Stanford; Jason Nicholas; Lanny McHugh; Jesse MacDonnel; Zane Anderson; Kevin Miller; Brennen Fule; coach Kyle Larson; assistant Ira McHugh
The silver medalist Camrose Trojans: Hans Haugen; Eric Kroetch; Sean Blades; Ian Ignatiuk; Matt McKenzie; Tyler Lindstrand; Dave Chytracek; David Arial; Paul Ofrim; Ryan Doyle; Kevin Pozerniuk; coach John Hamilton
The gold medalist Rocky Mountain House Will Sinclair Rebels: Owen Davies; Chris Hicks; Dustin Northcott; Brenden Nicolay; Vince Van Steenis; Cass Varcoe; Cody Varcoe; Chris Hiekkinen; Cody Garnett; Kyle Stretch; Corey Kohtala; Chris Clattenburg; Mike Witten; coach Derek Durocher; coach Rob Doig