In the opening round, held in Strathmore: …………………………………………………… The 5th-seeded Athabasca Edwin Parr Predators spanked the 12th-seeded Grande Prairie St. Joseph Catholic Ceinahs 75-30 after leading 21-8, 31-18 and 61-26 at the quarters. Jackie Elgert paced the Predators with 14. Brooke Padlewski added 13, Brianna Bilsky 10, Alex Speers 10, Genn Annand 8, Amy Zacharuk 8, Janaya Reimer 7, Shania Laforce 3, Dana Doerkson 2 and Amber Chrunyk 2, while Rebecca Weber and Kayla Breitkreutz were scoreless. Allison Dettling and Emily Devlin each scored 10 to pace the Ceinahs (coached by Rebecca Beauchamp, assisted by Tom Huete). Kendel Alstad added 4, Taylor Maton 2, Chelsea Deblois 2 and Emma Broderick 2, while Shauna Kusch, Payton Esau, Shayla Turner, Hailey Winnicky-Lewis, Gabrielle Bouchard and Desiree Knutson were scoreless. …………………………………………………… The 8th-seeded Dunmore Eagle Butte Talons dusted the 9th-seeded Lloydminster Holy Rosary Raiders 81-57 after leading 24-20, 46-40 and 68-47 at the quarters. Amber Stigfer paced the Talons with 22. Kaylee St. Germain and Taylor Ross each added 16, Keanna Rozdeba 6, Kendell Kuntz 5, Mackenzie Salmon 5, Kira Wiese 4, Ann Ehret 3 and Leisha Clark 2, while Rayla Eremenko and Mckenzie Schoonderbeek were scoreless. Amanda Hetu scored 21 to pace the Raiders (coached by Aubrey Patterson, assisted by Trista Brewer and Stewart Kehler). Breana Morrell added 15, Rebekah Cavanagh 10, Hunter Hollerbaum 5, Moesha Mase 4 and Jessica Kehler 2, while Caitlyn Anhorn, Deidra Drechsler, Ashley Eistetter, Bryn Patterson and Britt Wells were scoreless. …………………………………………………… The 7th-seeded Morinville Community Wolves nipped the 10th-seeded Strathmore Spartans 58-55. The score was knotted at 11 after one quarter. The Spartans led 29-24 at the half. The Wolves led 40-29 after three quarters. Katrina Lessard paced the Wolves with 15. Kaitlyn Dryden added 8, Kayla Schultz 8, Katelyn Krupa 6, Carrie Mossey 6, Meagan Vokurka 4 and Noemi Morin 1, while Cynthia Vansevenandt, Amanda Kluthe, Alyson Benson and Arinn Young were scoreless. Erin Warrack scored 15 to pace the Spartans (coached by Dion Galandy, assisted by Leslie Larson). Karly Larson added 11, Jade Balance 3, Shelby Stout 2, Carter Jones 2, Jessica Murphy 2, Sybil Bain 2 and Raegyn Fulmek 2, while Kate Harris and Brooke Boese were scoreless. …………………………………………………… The 6th-seeded Chestermere Lady Lakers clipped the 11th-seeded Ardrossan Bisons 67-45. The Lakers led 13-12 after one quarter. The Bisons led 30-24 at the half. The Lakers led 50-34 after three quarters. Yasmene Saghir paced the Lakers with 22. Kendall Armstrong added 19, Rachel Cooke 9, Madison Stoye 6, Jordan Brown 5, Jasjit Deol 2, Katie Cairns 2 and Natalie Russell 2, while Demara Mills, Christina Sgaggi, Aimee Wilson, Katelyn Dickin, Laura Costello, Theresa Ward and Leena Saghir were scoreless. Alex Schwanke scored 10 to pace the Bisons (coached by Scott Davies, assisted by Nadine Stefiuk). Kristin Davies added 9, Karlee Grey 8, Lacy Lewchuk 6, Carly Walter 5, Krista Getzinger 5, Nicole Leslie 1 and Chelsea Kanzig 1, while Cassandra Wilkinson was scoreless.
In the quarterfinals, the top-seeded St. Albert Catholic Skyhawks stomped the 8th-seeded Dunmore Eagle Butte Talons 93-38 after leading 30-14, 50-16 and 75-28 at the quarters. Kayla Ivacak paced the Skyhawks with 22. Brielle Wise added 19, Amber Easthope 16, Paige Knull 15, Riki Steward 8, Marinya Marcichiw 6, Izzabelle Durocher 4 and Amy Mildenberger 3, while Andrea Durocher, Abby Schneider, Jessa Ivicak and Jamie Cole were scoreless. Taylor Ross scored 14 to pace the Talons (coached by Mark Heinrick, assisted by Ashley Stigter). Amber Stigter added 11, Keanna Rozdeba 3, Kendell Kuntz 3, Mackenzie Salmon 3, Kaylee St. Germain 2 and Kira Wiese 2, while Rayla Eremenko, Leisah Clark, Ann Ehret and Mckenzie Schoonderbeek were scoreless.
The 4th-seeded Camrose Trojans dispatched the 5th-seeded Athabasca Edwin Parr Predators 68-55. The Trojans led 19-14 after one quarter. The Predators led 35-26 at the half and 47-46 after three quarters. Predators coach Wade Hicks said “it was a back-and-forth game. It really came down to who made the run at the end, and they really made the last run. We played solid, we just didn’t have enough to finish them off. … I’m very proud of how they played. It’s been a while since EPC’s had a chance to come out of provincials with some hardware. We gave it everything we had. With the amount of effort the girls put in, they really showed they deserve to be at provincials, and that they’re one of the best teams in the province.” Christine Pilger paced the Trojans with 20. Taryn Prestage added 17, Jesalyn Clarkson 10, Bailey Debman 6, Jenya Rust 6, Bradi Lorenz 6 and Jennifer Laskosky 3, while Rianne Bjorgford and Jenaya McKinstry were scoreless. Brooke Padlewski scored 15 to pace the Predators. Brianna Bilsky added 11, Janaya Reimer 8, Shania Laforce 7, Genn Annand 6, Jackie Eigert 4 and Amy Zacharuk 4, while Dana Doerkson, Rebecca Weber, Alex Speers, Kayla Breitkreutz and Amber Chrunyk were scoreless.
The 3rd-seeded Edmonton Christian Lions defeated the 6th-seeded Chestermere Lady Lakers 52-45. The score was knotted at 13 after one quarter. The Lions led 28-19 at the half and 40-35 after three quarters. Leah VandenBoogaard paced the Lions with 21. Kate Rozendaal and Leah Gurnett each added 11, Aimee Prinsen 5, Olivia Gleddie 2 and Brianna Aukema 2, while Michelle Aukema, Jillian VanderVinne, Chelsea Turner, Naomi Schoepp, Amy Schuring and Kristy Bootsma were scoreless. Madison Stoye and Yasmene Saghir each scored 11 to pace the Lady Lakers (coached by Brian Utley, assisted by Annette Wilson and Howie Leong). Aimee Wilson added 9, Rachel Cooke 6, Jordan Brown 2, Kendall Armstrong 2 and Katie Cairns 1, while Laura Costello, Jasjit Deol, Katelyn Dickin, Demara Mills, Natalie Russell, Leena Saghir, Christina Sgaggi and Theresa Ward were scoreless.
In the last quarterfinal, the 2nd-seeded Medicine Hat Monsignor McCoy Colts whipped the 7th-seeded Morinville Community Wolves 84-35 after leading 21-11, 38-18 and 59-22 at the quarters. Makenzie Shooter paced the Colts with 16. Kennedy Were added 13, Courtney Rozdeba 11, Dakota Schacher 9, Nya Kogalt 8, Victoria King 7, Danielle Fritzke 6, Rebecca Bohnet 6, Jadeyn Votta 6 and Jessie Hoffart 2. Katrina Lessard scored 11 to pace the Wolves (coached by Kent Lessard, assisted by Mallory Burton). Amanda Kluthe added 6, Noemi Morin 4, Kayla Schultz 4, Kaitlyn Dryden 4, Cynthia Vansevenandt 3, Alyson Benson 2 and Carrie Mossey 1, while Katelyn Krupa, Meagan Vorkuka and Arinn Young were scoreless.
In the semis, the top-seeded St. Albert Catholic Skyhawks crushed the 4th-seeded Camrose Trojans 82-48 after leading 28-13, 34-24 and 72-40 at the quarters. Amber Easthope paced the Skyhawks with 23. Kayla Ivacak added 15, Paige Knull 13, Brielle Wise 12, Marinya Marcichiw 10, Amy Mildenberger 10 and Riki Steward 1, while Andrea Durocher, Abby Schneider, Izzabelle Durocher, Jessa Ivicak and Jamie Cole were scoreless. Jesalyn Clarkson and Jenya Rust each scored 14 to pace the Trojans. Bradi Lorenz added 7, Christine Pilger 6, Bailey Debman 4 and Taryn Prestage 2, while Rianne Bjorgford, Jenaya McKinstry and Jennifer Laskosky were scoreless.
In the other semi, the 2nd-seeded Medicine Hat Monsignor McCoy Colts spanked the 3rd-seeded Edmonton Christian Lions 48-35. The score was knotted at 10 after one quarter. The Lions led 26-20 at the half. The score was tied at 31 after three quarters. Danielle Fritzke and Courtney Rozdeba each scored 9 to lead the Colts. Kennedy Were added 8, Dakota Schacher 7, Makenzie Shooter 5, Rebecca Bohent 4, Nya Kogalt 4 and Jadeyn Votta 2, while Jessie Hoffart and Victoria King were scoreless. Leah VandenBoogaard scored 8 to lead the Lions. Michelle Aukema added 6, Kate Rozendaal 5, Kristy Bootsma 5, Brianna Aukema 4, Aimee Prinsen 4, Leah Gurnett 2 and Olivia Gleddie 1, while Jillian VanderVinne, Chelsea Turner, Naomi Schoepp and Amy Schuring were scoreless.
In the bronze medal match, the 4th-seeded Camrose Trojans whipped the 3rd-seeded Edmonton Christian Lions 65-46. Bradi Lorenz paced the Trojans with 16. Taryn Prestage added 14, Christine Pilger 12, Jesalyn Clarkson 11, Jenya Rust 6 and Bailey Debman 6, while Rianne Bjorgford, Jenaya McKinstry and Jennifer Laskosky were scoreless. Coach Andy Lyster told the Camrose Canadian that he was “very excited, we really knew that St. Albert was the best team, they’re the cream of the crop. There was a few other teams there that were going to battle to see who was going to medal. There are a couple of ways to look at it, it was really nice to win our last game because we finished on a high…I think the mood was really good, to finish with a win they were feeling good about themselves and rightly so, they played really well. … I’m just really proud of (the team). When we were down by nine points to Edwin Parr at the half the girls just didn’t quit, they decided they were going to go out there and keep hustling. … Even though we only had eight girls and a short bench they wanted to press and keep going at teams. A lot of teams when they saw us before a game started, they just thought they could run us into the ground and it always ended up being the opposite.” The Trojans finished (24-4) on the campaign. Brianna Aukema scored 12 to pace the Lions (coached by Julie Schenk, assisted by Donna Yanew). Leah VandenBoogaard added 11, Kate Kozendaal 6, Aimee Prinsen 5, Jillian VanderVinne 4, Kristy Bootsma 3, Leah Gurnett 3 and Olivia Gleddie 2, while Michelle Aukema, Naomi Schoepp, Amy Schuring and Chelsea Turner were scoreless.
In the final, the top-seeded St. Albert Catholic Skyhawks clocked the 2nd-seeded Medicine Hat Monsignor McCoy Colts 79-47 after leading 23-18, 44-26 and 62-35 at the quarters. The title was the Skyhawks’ fourth consecutive provincial crown. They beat the Colts for the third consecutive year in the final, while capping a (39-1) campaign. “We didn’t place a lot of stock in what our actual record was, it was more about getting to the places and the goals we set at the start of the year and be ready to go at that point,” said Skyhawks coach John Dedrick told the St. Albert News. “The game certainly wasn’t as exciting as some of the other ones in the past have been. We won by four points last year and 11 points the year before and the Magrath game (56-48 in 2010) was really tight as well. But it’s still impressive just from the fact that we only had three returning players and we were so young.” Paige Knull said that “we almost didn’t expect to have such a strong team this year with so many young kids coming up with five Grade 10s. It just shows how committed everyone is to the sport and how they push themselves to become the best players they are.” Amber Easthope noted that “Paige and I really had to step it up and be the leaders this year and it was good that we did what we needed to do and got the third one. The team was great this year. I couldn’t have asked for a better season to be a Skyhawk.” Dedrick said “it’s a testament to how hard the players work and how hard the young players had to grow up really quickly. They had to buy into what we were doing, whether they were coming from the junior team or from junior high. We specifically crafted a schedule that might have been a little bit easier at the start and then played tougher tournaments near the end, finishing with Spruce Grove and playing tough 4A schools there, as well as McCoy, and it all kind of seemed to work out.” Knull said the Skyhawks “worked hard together from beginning to end. There was no stopping for us. We had so much energy and we were so excited for that game that we kept it up throughout the whole thing and that helped us push ahead of McCoy.” Kayla Ivicak dominated the first half and hit a critical trey to start the fourth quarter. Easthope said “we knew what we had to do and we got it done. We got more stops than they did and made more baskets.” The Skyhawks forced a series of turnovers, she added. “Our half court was really good. We tried to talk as loud as we could to help each other out even though the gym was so loud. Last year we were more of a shooting team. We had great shooters. This year we were more dominant in attacking teams. The effort was really there too because we worked really hard in practice.” Knull said “every year is exciting because it’s a new team and it’s a new experience with everyone. It was exciting to watch so many young kids come into the program and be able to come out as a provincial champion. I know what that feeling is and it’s exciting to experience it with them.” Dedrick planned to switch roles with assistant Paige Gaudreau after the season, while moving to assist the Grant MacEwan Griffins women’s team. “It’s a good time. I’m still going to be involved but I won’t be there all the time 24/7. It will be good for Paige to grow and good for me to just experience something different,” said Dedrick, who coached the Skyhawks to an amazing 139-24 overall record during their four-year provincial reign. “Paige has grown leaps and bounds just in terms of her bench control (since joining the Skyhawks four seasons ago) and the girls have always loved her to begin with so they’re not losing anything from that perspective.” Kayla Ivicak paced the Skyhawks with 26. Amber Easthope added 20, Paige Knull 15, Riki Steward 6, Amy Mildenberger 6, Marinya Marcichiw 3, Jamie Cole 2 and Brielle Wise 1, while Andrea Durocher, Abby Schneider, Izzabelle Durocher and Jessa Ivicak were scoreless. Dakota Schacher paced the Colts with 12. Nya Kogalt added 8, Jadeyn Votta 7, Kennedy Were 6, Rebecca Bohnet 5, Courtney Rozdeba 4, Danielle Fritzke 3 and Jessie Hoffart 2, while Makenzie Shooter and Victoria King were scoreless.
The bronze medalist Camrose Trojans: Rianne Bjorgford, Jesalyn Clarkson, Bailey Debman, Jennifer Laskosky, Bradi Lorenz, Jenaya McKinstry, Christie Pilger, Taryn Prestage, Jenya Rust; coach Andy Lyster; assistant Annelise Rust; manager Naomi Rust
The silver medalist Medicine Hat Monsignor McCoy Colts: Rebecca Bohnet, Danielle Fritzke, Jessie Hoffart, Victoria King, Nya Kogalt, Courtney Rozdeba, Dakota Schacher, Makenzie Shooter, Jadeyn Votta, Kennedy Were; coach Janice Laing; assistant Kim Schacher; manager Jillian Laing; manager Stephanie Laing
The gold medalist St. Albert Catholic Skyhawks: Jamie Cole, Andrea Durocher, Izzabelle Durocher, Amber Easthope, Jessa Ivicak, Kayla Ivicak, Paige Knull, Marinya Marcichiw, Amy Mildenberger, Abby Schneider, Riki Steward, Brielle Wise; coach John Dedrick; assistant Paige Gaudreau; manager Kyle Bodnar