In the quarterfinals, held in Springhill, the top-seeded Springhill Golden Eagles dumped the 8th-seeded Digby Mariners 95-74 as Brittany Barton scored 23, including 11 in the second half. “They scared us and we had some foul trouble, but the girls came around,” Springhill co-coach Charlie Chambers told the Amherst Daily News. “The girls were very nervous, but that was to be expected. That goes with hosting.” Meagan Bowers added 18 and Kirsten Gogan had 16 for the Golden Eagles, who led 50-41 at the half, while Shauna Ryan scored 12, Meaghan Moore 11, Danika Beaton 9 and Jill Casey 2. Lynn Wall paced Digby (coached by Kim Robinson) with 29.
The 4th-seeded Shelburne Regional Rebels tripped 5th-seeded Musquodoboit 65-50.
The 3rd-seeded Halifax Grammar Gryphons dumped 6th-seeded Southwest Mabou Dalbrae Academy Dragons 58-43 as Sarah Delicaet scored 16. Bridget Wilson led the Dragons with 17.
In the last quarterfinal, 2nd-seeded Port Hawkesbury Strait Area Educational Education & Recreation Centre Saints dumped 7th-seeded New Germany Saints 81-42 as Jessica Cahill scored 30, Melanie Wager 18, Sara Johnston 12, Ashley Kehoe 7, Jessica Fox 6, Kelsie Burns 4, Hilary Wright 2 and Danielle Cameron 2. Kelsey Joudrey led the Saints with 16.
In the semis, the top-seeded Springhill Golden Eagles nipped the 4th-seeded Shelburne Regional Rebels 63-61 as Leah Crowe scored 13, Jill Casey 13, Brittany Barton 11 and Emily Moore 10.
In the other semi, the 3rd-seeded Halifax Grammar Gryphons defeated Port Hawkesbury SAERC Saints 60-45 as Allison Balan scored 14 and Sarah Delicaet 14. Jessica Cahill paced the Saints with 20. Melanie Wagar added 9, Kelsie Burns 6 and Ashley Kehoe 4. “They were much bigger than us, but we handled their height with our pressure on the ball,” Saints coach Ron Lynds told the Port Hawkesbury Reporter. “It was a very rough game, and their size eventually wore us down – they managed to squeak out a five-point win. The Saints were in the game the whole way; we just couldn’t put a couple of stops together to catch up at the end.”
In the bronze medal match, the 4th-seeded Shelburne Rebels nipped 2nd-seeded Port Hawkesbury SAERC Saints 78-74 in overtime. “Overall, I’m sure we’d all have to say we were a little disappointed not to make it to the final, but when you consider we missed a gold or silver by five points and the bronze by three in overtime, I’d think we can be proud of our fourth place showing,” coach Ron Lynds told the Port Hawkesbury Reporter. “We jumped out to a 20-0 lead only to watch them go on a 26-to-10 run to close out the first half. The second half was just a slug fest – they’d hit us in the mouth, and then we’d counter with a punch of our own. With 12 seconds left in the game, we had the ball and a chance to score but it bounced off the rim – and we’re into overtime. This was an extremely well-played game by both teams. The Saints, however, got into foul trouble very early and had to sit key players for long stretches which affected how aggressive we could be on defense.” Melanie Wagar paced the Saints with 24. Jessica Cahill added 18, Ashley Kehoe 11, Sara Johnston 10, Kelsie Burns 7 and Hilary Wright 4. The Saints (coached by Lynds, assisted by Jenna McIntyre0 also included Danielle Cameron, Jessica Fox, Paige Power, Chelsea Cameron, Lauren MacKinnon and Miranda Meagher.
In the final, the top-seeded Springhill Golden Eagles defeated the Halifax Grammar Gryphons 64-49 to capture their fourth title in seven years. Shauna Ryan paced the Golden Eagles with 19. Brittany Barton added 17 and Meaghan Moore 10. “It’s an amazing feeling to win again,” coach Charlie Chambers said. “We’re very fortunate. The irony is on the last two-years that we didn’t win we lost the semis by a basket to the champions. This year we go into the finals by a basket. It was very sweet for Alyssa Quinn, Shauna Ryan and Brittany Barton,” Chambers said. “It was their third shot at the gold after three years of playing together.” Chambers held out his biggest thanks for past SHS Jr. girl’s basketball coach Deane Smith who trained and primed the team before entering the senior league. “It’s a tribute to Deane and all the work he did with the girls. That’s been our saving grace, the junior program.’
The bronze medalist Shelburne Regional Rebels: Paula Christie; Katie Locke; Chelsea Goulden; Emily Keeler; Megan Crosby; Eleanor Melanson; coach Phil Callan
The silver medalist Halifax Grammar Gryphons: Allison Balan; Sarah Delicaet; Jo Youn; Chloe Jacobs; Lucy Jackson; Kati Wilson; Hannah Price; Kathleen Delicaet; Brett Cameron; Annika Karlsen; Grace Koh; Sydney Taylor; Meaghan Mctiernan; coach Mike Peterson; assistant Randy Richard
The gold medalist Springhill Golden Eagles: Meagan Bowers; Kirsten Gogan; Shauna Ryan; Meaghan Moore; Danika Beaton; Jill Casey; Brittany Barton; Emily Moore; Leah Crowe; Alyssa Quinn; Sonya MacDonald; co-coach Charlie Chambers