The tournament is expanded to 10 teams.
In the opening round, held in Coaldale: …………………………………………………… The Coaldale Kate Andrews Larks dispatched the Ardrossan Bisons 69-42 as Cindy Doram scored 27 and Wendy Doram 20. The Bisons included Natasha McArthur. …………………………………………………… The Lacombe Ramettes edged the Sherwood Park Archbishop Jordan Scots 66-65 as Trish Lorenz scored 29. Gina Zsombor led the Scots with 15. The Scots also included Pam Stasko.
In the quarterfinals, the Raymond Comets dusted the Fort McMurray Miners 93-39. The Comets raced to a 35-6 lead in the romp. The biggest problem was maintaining their concentration, said coach Karie Tollestrup. “It’s almost tougher playing a game like this than a tough game. I didn’t know what to expect. I just told the kids to be prepared for a tough game. “We had a few lapses, but all in all we ran the ball well.” Sue Hasegawa paced the Comets with 29. Peggy Powelson added 18. Marilyn Moore led the Miners with 14. Miners coach Phil Meagher told Fort McMurray Today that “I think the girls were sort of satisfied to win zones. I just couldn’t get anything out of them. … When it’s three days before provincials and only five players show up to practice, it gets a bit frustrating.” The Miners (coached by Phil Meagher) also included Jennifer Goodyear, Andrea Goodyear.
The Grande Prairie St. Joseph’s Ceinahs defeated the Calgary Bowness Trojans 99-37 as Leanne Beidj scored 23 and Shauna Grant 21. Angela Aalbers led the Trojans with 13.
The Coaldale Kate Andrews Larks dumped the Brooks Buffalos 74-58. The Larks led 39-34 at the half and pulled away in the second frame. Cindy Doram paced the Larks with 24. Shawn Young added 18 and Wendy Doram 16. “The difference was improved defence, though we still need to tighten up a bit,” said Larks coach Corinne Parsons. “I really believe the best defence will win the tournament.” Jonene Schalm paced the Buffalos with 16.
In the last quarterfinal, the St. Albert Skyhawks defeated the Lacombe Ramettes 57-54 as Kyla Wecalley scored 31. Trish Lorenz led the Ramettes with 21. The Ramettes also included Joan Robertson, Janyne Mooy, Loretta Cowan, Stacey Rains.
In the semis, the Grande Prairie St. Joseph’s Ceinahs edged the Coaldale Kate Andrews Larks 70-65 as Shauna Grant scored 23. Wendy Doram paced the Larks with 23. Ceinahs coach Arlene Hess told the Grande Prairie Herald Tribune that “with only seven players, we were in danger of losing the game because of foul problems. The girls had to pull together. It was nice to beat them in their home gym.”
In the other semi, the Raymond Comettes clipped the St. Albert Skyhawks 76-56 as Peggy Powelson scored 22. Alana Kraft led the Hawks with 23.
In the bronze medal match, the Coaldale Kate Andrews Larks dusted the St. Alberta Skyhawks 66-50 as Wendy Doram scored 10 and Cindy Doram 18. Kyla Wheatley led the Hawks with 13.
In the final, the Raymond Comets defeated the Grande Prairie St. Joseph’s Ceinahs 71-65. “This is a great feeling, let me tell you,” said Raymond coach Karie Tollestrup. “It’s just plain awesome. … They’re very intense, very aggressive.” The Ceinahs led 29-28 at the half but the Comets got their running game on track in the second half. “We’ve had a lot of mental battles,” Tollestrup said. “We had to fight to get here. It wasn’t an easy road. I think that grit did help the girls here. They were able to keep their composure in a tough time. I’m just so proud of all of them.” The Comettes ripped off a 10-0 run midway through the second half and led by as many as 19. “Even against a quick team, it’s hard to defend,” the transition game, Tollestrup said. “It’s really a lethal weapon. Between our inside and outside play, the break put in some key baskets for us.” Point guard Cyndi Gibb took command. “Somebody’s got to take charge,” said Gibb, who scored 21. “We have been playing for a championship ever since Grade 9. It’s great.” Peggy Powelson added 20 for the Comettes. “Peggy shone for us,” said Tollestrup. “And Charlene Miller played super.” Miller scored 10. Sue Hasegawa notched 16. Shauna Grant led the Ceinahs with 14. Leanne Beidj added 15. Raymond shot 27-58 (.470) from the floor and 21-31 (.630) from the line. The Ceinahs shot 27-70 (.390) from the floor and 11-24 (.460) from the line. Ceinahs coach Arlene Hess told the Grand Prairie Herald Tribune that “their team plays a real run-and-gun game. We were somewhat successful at shutting their fastbreak down but they had more depth. We made a few mental mistakes but the kids played some good basketball to make the final.”
The bronze medalist Coaldale Kate Andrews Larks: Wendy Doram; Cindy Doram; Shawna Young; Marnie Carlson; Marina Peterson; Becky Baldwin; Tanya Dyck; Nera Shragg; Karin Vanden Elzan; Annette Vanden Elzan, Jenny Burke; Leslie Peterson; Taunya Saals; coach Corinne Persons
The silver medalist Grande Prairie St. Joseph’s Ceinahs: Shauna Grant; Leanne Beidj; Cami Wrozosek; coach Arlene Hess
The gold medalist Raymond Comets: Cindy Gibb; Sue Hasegawa; Peggy Powelson; Shauna Palmer; Charlene Miller, Susie Grump; Kristi Wright; Beckie Fraser; Karma Bohne; Melinda Horvath; coach Karrie Tollestrup