In the opening round, held in Sherwood Park: …………………………………………………… The 11th-seeded Grande Prairie St. Joseph’s Ceinahs defeated the 6th-seeded Cochrane Cobras 89-70. …………………………………………………… The 7th-seeded Stettler William E. Hay Wildcats defeated the 10th-seed Edmonton Louis St. Laurent Barons 64-53. …………………………………………………… The 8th-seeded Hinton Harry Collinge Rockies dumped the 9th-seeded Edmonton Holy Trinity Trojans 77-51 as the forward line of Brooke Kneteman, Kristen Howsam and Kate Zier-Vogel dominated. The Rockies broke open a tight game with a 14-6 run midway through the second half. Coach Grant Kammermayer said his troops were tight early because of their youth, having four Grade 10 starters. “The first half was very uncharacteristic of us, turning the ball over, mishandling the ball. We don’t normally do that.” …………………………………………………… The 5th-seeded Cardston Cougars defeated the 12th-seeded Fort McMurray Father Mercredi Trappers 64-29. The Trappers (coached by Ruel Altares) included Janet Hatfield, Shauna Mellon, Amanda Walmsley.
In the quarterfinals, 3rd-seeded Sherwood Park Archbishop Jordan defeated the Grande Prairie St. Joseph’s Ceinahs 76-42.
The 2nd-seeded Coaldale Kate Andrews Pride thrashed the 7th-seeded Stettler William E. Hay Wildcats 78-44 as Chelsie Oberg scored 15, Samantha Bier 13, Alisha Marriott 12 and Briane Chabay 12. The Wildcats (coached by Neal Isnor) included Megan Klaus, Kelsey Sinclair, Caytlyn Baltimore, Vicki Swan, Candace Rempel.
The top-seeded Calgary Springbank Phoenix, which entered the tournament 27-5 overall and unbeaten in league play, dumped the 8th-seeded Hinton Harry Collinge Rockies 78-40. The Rockies (coached by Grant Kammermayer) included Brooke Kneteman, Kristen Howsam, Kat Zier-Vogel.
The 4th-seeded Devon John Maland Wildcats defeat the 5th-seeded Cardston Cougars 67-60. The Cougars (coached by Tim Court) included Alisha Nelson, Joni Low, Emily Mortenson, Abby Brooks.
In the semis, the Sherwood Park Archbishop Jordan Scots defeated the 2nd-seeded Coaldale Kate Andrews Pride 58-50. Nicole Hanna paced the Pride with 19. Chelsea Oberg added 11. The Pride led 40-36 down the stretch but folded in the face of Scots defensive pressure.
In the other semi, the Calgary Springbank Phoenix defeated the 4th-seeded Devon John Maland Wildcats 63-52.
In the bronze medal match, the 2nd-seeded Coaldale Kate Andrews Pride defeated the 4th-seeded Devon John Maland Wildcats 65-59 despite trailing 33-31 at the half. The Pride opened the second half with an 8-0 run to take control of the affair. Nicole Hanna led the Pride with 28, including 14-19 from the line and 15 boards. Janane Hooper added 16.
In the final, the top-seeded Calgary Springbank Phoenix’s tenacious defence proved the difference as they rolled to a 60-45 win over the Archbishop Jordan Scots. They threw a blanket over the Scots, limiting them to just five field goals in the second half. “This is amazing, awesome,” Springbank guard Lynette Adams, who scored 17, told the Calgary Herald. Adam’s lightning quick hands and feet gave the Scots fits, while 5-10 Natalie Svarich’s dominance on the boards limited the Scots to typically just one shot. “We told our girls at the half to get back to defensive basics,” said Springbank coach Kara Vanhooren. “Our strength is defence. In the second half, I don’t think we gave them a second shot. We dominated the boards with Natalie and Sarah Anderson. Plus we went to our bench more and got tremendous efforts from everyone.” Springbank led 8-4 after five minutes as both teams looked rushed. Jordan led 31-29 at the half. But Springbank took control in the second with the knifing drives of Adams and the two-play of Anderson “Sarah had probably the best game of her career,” said Vanhooren. Adams scored 13 of her 17 points from the line. “She and Lynette really stepped up when some of our top players were struggling.” Adams gave Jordan’s defence fits all through the second half as she drove to the basket and drew a steady stream of foul calls. Of her 17 points, 13 came from the foul line. “She really penetrates.” Said Vanhooren. “The defence has no choice. If they don’t foul her, she’ll hit the basket. She can create chances any time she wants.” Archbishop Jordan missed its first four shots from the floor in the second half an made only 5-19 from the floor in the frame. Springbank dominated the boards. “We knew we had to get control of boards, both offensively and defensively,” said Adams. Eight minutes into the half, Anderson stole the ball after scoring and put back another bucket to give Springbank a 43-37 lead. A technical foul on Jordan coach Rob Hansuk made it 45-37 and decisively shifted the momentum. “I think we had 10 points in the first 15 minutes. You’re not going to have too much success in the provincial final, against a team like that,” said Hansuk. “We stopped doing what was effective in the first half. We stopped moving offensively and they played much better defensively. They’re a very polished team and my hat’s off to them.” Springbank finished (30-5) on season.
The bronze medalist Coaldale Kate Andrews Pride: Nicole Hanna; Alisha Marriott; Janene Hooper; Chelsea Oberg; Brianne Chahay; Caitlin Friesen; Samantha Bier; coach Terry Hanna
The silver medalist Sherwood Park Archbishop Jordan Scots: coach Rob Hansuk
The gold medalist Calgary Springbank Phoenix: Lynette Adams; Natalie Svarich; Sarah Anderson; coach Kara Vanhooren