In the interzone playoffs, the Brandon T.A. Neelin Spartans nipped the Swan River Swan Valley Tigers 67-65 as Kira Tufts scored 21 and Laura Popplestone 21. Jessica Bobick led the Tigers with 17. Kim Giesbrecht added 13 and Nikki Chartrand 13.
In the wildcard playoffs: …………………………………………………… In the semis, the Sanford Sabres clocked the Swan River Swan Valley Tigers 80-33. The Tigers (coached by Kevin Carter, in his 17th-year at the helm, assisted by Al Maiby, Shayne Yaschyshyn and Nicole Vestby-) included Kim Giesbrecht, Nikki Chartrand, Jessica Bobick, Chelsea Cook, Sevanna Delaronde, Christine Parsons, Jackie Gosselin, Jasmine Langan and Heather Alford. …………………………………………………… In the other semi, the Winnipeg Linden Christian Wings edged the Winnipeg St. John’s Ravenscourt Eagles 54-45. …………………………………………………… In the final, the Sanford Sabres defeated the Winnipeg Linden Christian Wings 58-53.
In the quarterfinals, the top-seeded University of Winnipeg Collegiate Wesmen thrashed the 8th-seeded Winnipeg Westgate Mennonite Wings 70-27. Brittany Boudreau was chosen player of the game for the Wesmen, while Emma Ens-MacIver earned the laurels for Westgate. The Wings (coached by Jennifer How, assisted by Arista Ryback) also included Mariette Koop, Sara Froese, Allison Baergen, Jessica Klassen, Heather Fast, Rachel Hudon, Ceilidh Moulden, Wendy Kopeschny, Emma Bergen, Meghan Entz, Sarah Wiebe and Maxine Wagner.
The 5th-seeded Thompson R.D. Parker Trojans stunned the 4th-seeded Sanford Sabres 71-62. The Sabres (coached by Kelli Sinnock and Jackie Willis) included Nikki Bell, Jordyn Warren, Breanne Mahara, Amanda Pfrimmer, Casey Regier, Jamie Barber, Rianne Boekhost, Robyn Fossay, Tory Mogg, Lexi Morse and Alex Warburton.
The 6th-seeded Brandon T.A. Neelin Spartans upset the 3rd-seeded Winnipeg St. James Jimmies 49-48. Morgan Dickson was chosen player of the game for the Spartans, while Rayna Haley earned the laurels for St. James. The Jimmies (coached by Ashley van Aggelen, assisted by Chelsea Hansen and Bahija Zeid) also included Danielle Block, Stephanie Jones, Lindsay Olson, Jennifer Farrow, Lacy Sorokowski, Joanna Wichenko, Andrea Duncan, Kelsey Ngo, Katharine Juergensen and Brynn Rosjer-Doyle.
In the last quarterfinal, the 2nd-seeded St. Norbert Celtics stomped the 7th-seeded Beausejour Edward Schreyer Barons 74-24. Amreet Dhaliwal was chosen player of the game for the Celtics, while Samantha Campbell earned the laurels for Schreyer. The Barons (coached by Kelly Martin, assisted by Carlin Proutt) also included Lauren Senier, Katie Selch, Shantal Buhler, Kimmy Krebs, Mallory Black, Chelsea Tomasson, Jazzy Ottenson, Amanda Denchuk, Cara Otto, Ashlyn Parrott and Courtney Bangert.
In the semis, the top-seeded University of Winnipeg Wesmen defeated the Thompson R.D. Parker Trojans 77-69. “Our game plan was to run them as we had done to Sanford, keep our turnovers to 20 or less and keep them off the offensive boards,” said Trojans coach Gillis. “We knew we could win if we managed to stick to the plan. Unfortunately, we finished the first quarter with 16 turnovers and a nine-point deficit, despite all other parts of the game going pretty good.” The Trojans made a comeback attempt in the final quarter, getting within two points before the Wesmen scored the final six points on foul shots and a three-pointer.
In the other semi, the 2nd-seeded St. Norbert Celtics thrashed the 6th-seeded Brandon T.A. Neelin Spartans 69-41. Ella Greer was chosen player of the game for the Celtics, while Kate Osadchuk earned the laurels for Neelin (coached by Melissa Stoesz, Melanie Thompson and Alise Gaiser).
In the bronze medal match, the Thompson R.D. Parker Trojans swatted the Brandon T.A. Neelin Spartans 84-56. “We could see it coming a few weeks ago, the team was ‘peaking’ just in time for the final stretch,” said Trojans coach Sara Gillis. “Our theme all year has been ‘finish strong’ and that is just what they did. Unfortunately, we just came up a bit short to win the gold medal, but overall the weekend was very satisfying. They were relentless against Neelin. They came out strong and finished strong, not letting up until the final buzzer. Five players scored in double figures and everyone scored on the team. It seemed like everyone was determined to make their mark on the tournament. It was almost like they were sending a message saying we are one of the top teams in the province and we will be back next year!” The Spartans (coached by Melissa Stoesz, Melanie Thompson and Alise Gaiser) included Shianne Kruger, Morgan Dickson, Bailey Kelleher, Danielle Zalusky, Kate Osadchuk, Caitlin Bouvier, Cailee Plante, Laura Popplestone, Kira Tufts, Marissa Corrigan, Nikki Albrecht and Melody Stevens.
In the final, the top-seeded University of Winnipeg Wesmen dumped the 2nd-seeded St. Norbert Celtics 73-60. Raven Boulanger was chosen player of the game for the Wesmen, while Ella Greer earned the laurels for the Celtics. Brittany Boudreau paced the Wesmen with 29. Amreet Dhaliwal led the Celtics with 16. Greer later received the Player’s Choice Award.
The bronze medalist Thompson R.D. Parker Trojans: Kailan Dreolini; Kendall Grieves; Caulien Cockley; Brittany Chabot; Tayo Dimeji; Ruth Spence; Danika Tait; Janaye Tucker-Titanich; Jennifer Robson; Megan Throne; Leah Sinclair; coach Sarah Gillis; assistant Chris Victor; assistant Wes Braun; manager Toun Dimeji
The silver medalist St. Norbert Celtics: Ella Greer; Amreet Dhaliwal; Jessica Hunt; Sawyer Marshall-Stanchuk; Amanda Dulle; Caitlyn Engel; Codi Semchuk; Kaelyn Lisoway; Paige Bevan; Breanne Nichol; Ashley Cherniak; Kyla Westra; coach Denis Marinelli; assistant Colin Ritchie; assistant Brooke Semchuk; assistant Neil Reavely
The gold medalist University of Winnipeg Wesmen: Raven Boulanger; Brittany Boudreau; Breanne Campbell; Zhou Jia Na; Grace Fanhbulleh; Celeste Main; Andi Badiou; Lenda Ayalew; Pamela Drawbridge; Kenesha Giles; Jane Axworthy; coach JoAnne Wells-Small; coach Lee Hurton