REGULAR SEASON
| Alberta | 18-2 | 27-7 | Barry Mitchelson | |||||
| Manitoba | 17-3 | 17-8 | Jack Lewis | |||||
| Saskatchewan | 11-9 | 15-10 | Bob Mirwald | |||||
| Regina | 7-13 | 7-13 | Stan Fisher | |||||
| Winnipeg | 4-16 | 10-19 | Vic Pruden | |||||
| Calgary | 4-16 | Skip Morgan | ||||||
Alberta ran off two lengthy winning streaks, including 14 straight to start the season to capture the title of a six-team league, having added Regina and Winnipeg. Second place Manitoba defeated Alberta twice on second last weekend of season but had lost a pair to Saskatchewan a week earlier to put themselves out of real contention. U.B.C. again opts to depart the league.
Non-medalist rosters:
Calgary Dinosaurs: Barrie Bennett, Brian Saunders, Glen Alexander, Warren Meyer, Ken Reeson, Bill Newcombe, Tom Sindlinger, Clarence Amalung, Bob Southoff, Bain McMillan, Phil Stoochnoff, Dale Hodgson, Al Kettles, Jim Christie, Rick Lally; Roy Holman; Lorne Prokopy; Gord Dunkley; coach Skip Morgan, manager Bob Ham
Regina Cougars: Don Turnbull, Merv Prier, Neil Dillabaugh, Stan Metcalfe, Casper DeJong, Bernie Brandt, Gary Korven, John Schepers, Brian Welsh, Gord Sellinger, Don Blackburn, Bernie Collins, Raymond Manz, coach Stan Fisher, manager Dennis Shobater
Winnipeg Wesmen: Rich Macey, Bill Irwin, Ron Unruh, Craig Parker, Wayne Bradshaw, Bob Johnson
Alberta opened the season by defeating Calgary 92-75 and 106-63. …………………………………………………… In game one, Alberta prevailed 95-93 as Melnychuk brothers Don and Al dictated the tempo and aggressively attacked with the penetration dribble. “It was just the chance to play” as opposed to practice, said Al Melnychuk. Alberta led 46-28 at the half. Warren Champion scored 26, Don Melnychuk 23 and Al Melnychuk 16. Tom Sindlinger led Calgary with 21. Brian Sanders added 14. …………………………………………………… In game two, Alberta stomped Calgary 106-63. The Bears broke to a 14-6 lead and extended the margin to 52-34 at the half. Warren Champion led the Bears with 30. Brian Rakoz added 15, Don Melnychuk 14, Ian Walker 12 and Bob Morris 11. Tom Sindlinger led the Dinos with 15. Brian Sanders added 11.
Manitoba thrashed Regina 71-51 and 81-53. In game one, Terry Ball scored 18 and Irv Hanec 13 for the Bisons. In game two, Ted Stoesz paced Manitoba with 20. Terry Ball added 8.
Calgary split with Saskatchewan, losing 84-60 and winning 79-75.
Winnipeg defeated Calgary 91-68 and 96-79.
Saskatchewan defeated Regina 70-64 and 68-66.
Alberta thumped Saskatchewan 91-66 and 72-69. …………………………………………………… In game one, Alberta thrashed Saskatchewan 91-66. Alberta started slowly but led 47-34 at the half. Warren Champion paced the Bears with 21. Don Melnychuk added 17. Jim Sekulich led the Huskies with 18. Dale Galan added 17. …………………………………………………… In game two, Alberta prevailed 72-69. Saskatchewan took a 41-22 lead in the first half. But the Bears rallied to within 43-33 at the half and then knotted the score at 43 as they capped a 21-2 run. Alberta led 70-69 with three minutes to play and sought to rag the ball out. Twice Saskatchewan forced turnovers and jump balls but in each instance the Bears maintained possession and then iced it with a pair of free throw from Warren Champion with two seconds to play. “That’s what I call a team effort,” said Bear forward Don Melnychuk. “Two lines went the whole way.” Warren Champion and Don Melnychuk each scored 17 to lead Alberta. Bryan Rakoz added 15. Dale Galan led Saskatchewan with 22.
Alberta defeated Manitoba 82-77 and 64-63. …………………………………………………… In game one, Alberta defeated Manitoba 82-77 after leading 49-39 at the half. …………………………………………………… In game two, Alberta prevailed 64-63. Manitoba built a 16 point first half lead and were ahead 35-23 at the break. Alberta led 64-58 with two minutes to play and tried to stall, a strategy which nearly backfired.
Alberta dumped host Saskatchewan 69-68 and 94-63. …………………………………………………… In game one, Alberta edged Saskatchewan 69-68 as their frontline of Bryan Rakoz, Dick DeKlerk and Warren Champion dominated. The Bears led 5-1 early but the Huskies rallied to a 35-29 lead at the half and then extended the margin to 48-37. The Huskies led 68-67 and had a chance to ice it with 16 seconds to play but Wayne Dyck missed a free throw. Champion grabbed the rebound, dished it up-court to Andy Skujins, who drove the paint and fired up a shot. It missed but Al Melnychuk notched a putback with three seconds to play. Saskatchewan shot 39% from the floor and Alberta shot 35%. Dick DeKlerk paced Alberta with 23. Al Melnychuk added 12. Dale Galan led Saskatchewan with 27. Doug Dodd added 11. …………………………………………………… In game two, Alberta romped 94-63 after breaking to a 23-6 lead. The Bears led 48-37 at the half and were never threatened. Dick DeKlerk led the Bears with 22. Warren Champion added 21 and Bryan Rakoz 14. Jim Sekulich paced the Huskies with 15. Dennis Jones added 14. Alberta shot 42% from the floor, while Saskatchewan shot 34%.
Alberta dumped Winnipeg 93-72 and 86-67. …………………………………………………… In game one, Alberta prevailed 93-72 by bombarding the Wesmen zone. The Bears led 45-38 at the half and began to press in the second half to pull away. Warren Champion paced Alberta with 27. Larry Nowak added 16 and Marcel De Leeuw 10. Bill Irwin paced Winnipeg with 25. Rich Macey added 16 and Ron Unruh 12. Asked what was the greatest factor in his 27-point outburst, Champion replied “poor defence.” …………………………………………………… In game two, Alberta coasted to an 86-67 win, despite struggling from the perimeter. But the Bears transitioned their way to a 41-34 lead at the half and ran the Wesmen into the ground in the second frame. Bob Morris led Alberta with 18. Bryan Rakoz added 13, Dick DeKlerk 12 and Marcel DeLeeuw 10. Bill Irwin led Winnipeg with 18. Craig Parker added 14, Rich Macey 10 and Wayne Bradshaw 10.
Manitoba defeated Winnipeg 70-68 and x-x. In game one, Ted Stoesz stole the ball and fed Terry Ball for a 10-foot jumper as the Bisons pulled out the win. But Irv Hanec broke his pelvis and was lost for the season, while Bob Town broke his nose. ……………………………………………………
Regina and Calgary split, with the Cougars winning 63-58 and then the Dinos winning 64-58. …………………………………………………… In game one, Regina edged Calgary 63-58 after rallying from a 30-23 half-time deficit. Barrie Bennett led the Dinosaurs with 12. …………………………………………………… In game two, Calgary defeated Regina 64-58 as Glen Alexander scored 19, Clarence Amalung 17 and Bill Newcombe 13.
Calgary split with Winnipeg, winning 64-61 and losing 70-63. …………………………………………………… Calgary edged Winnipeg 64-61 as Ken Reeson scored 16, Barrie Bennett 15, Brian Sanders 9, Glen Alexander 8 and Bill Newcombe 8. The Dinosaurs led by 16 Early but Winnipeg shifted to a full-court press and rallied to a 56-51 lead before Calgary pulled out the win. …………………………………………………… In game two, Winnipeg clipped Calgary 70-63 after leading 34-28 at the half. Brian Sanders led the Dinosaurs with 18. Barrie Bennett added 10 and Glen Alexander 10.
Host Saskatchewan split with Manitoba, winning 71-63 and then losing 84-64. …………………………………………………… In game one, Saskatchewan defeated Manitoba 72-63 as Tom Gosse scored 26, Jim Sekulich 13 and Dennis Jones 10. Ross Wedlake led the Bisons with 16. Terry Ball added 13 and Bruce Dobbin 12. …………………………………………………… In game two, Manitoba whipped Saskatchewan 84-64 as Terry Ball scored 30 and Bruce Dobbin 14. Dale Galan led the Huskies with 21. Dennis Jones added 10 and Jim Sekulich 10.
Saskatchewan split with Regina, winning 89-72 and losing 66-60. …………………………………………………… In game one, Saskatchewan prevailed 89-72 as Dale Galan scored 20 and Jim Sekulich 9. Gary Korvan paced the Cougars with 19. Don Blackburn added 11. …………………………………………………… In game two, Regina edged Saskatchewan 66-60 as Merv Prior scored 12. Dale Galan led the Huskies with 18. Tom Gosse added 16.
Alberta clocked host Regina 79-53 and 68-53. …………………………………………………… In game one, Alberta prevailed 79-53 after struggling to take a 34-29 lead at the half. Warren Champion paced the Bears with 20. Bob Morris added 14, Dick DeKlerk 14 and Larry Nowak 10. Don Blackburn led the Cougars with 12. …………………………………………………… In game two, Alberta again struggled in the first half but prevailed 68-53. Regina took an early 8-0 lead before rallied to move ahead 28-25 at the half. Warren Champion paced the Bears with 24. Dave Swann added 8, Al Melnychuk 8, Larry Nowak 8, DeKlerk 7, Morris 6, Skujins 3 and Rakoz 3, while Turner and Walker were scoreless. Schepers paced Regina with 13. Blackburn added 9, Merv Prier 8, De Jong 7, Turnbull 4, Welsh 4, Korven 3, Dillabaugh 2, Brandt 2 and Metcalfe 1, while Manz and Collins were scoreless.
Alberta crushed host Winnipeg 70-53 and 105-57. …………………………………………………… In game one, Alberta prevailed 70-53, although Barry Mitchelson said it took a while for his troops to adjust to Winnipeg’s matchbox-sized gymnasium. “It’s difficult to play on a court this size. You just run the seams as well.” Although most of the Bears starters were quickly in foul trouble, Bob Morris came off the bench to give Alberta a 30-26 lead at the half. Morris led Alberta with 19. Dick DeKlerk added 18, Larry Nowak 13 and Al Melnychuk 10. Ron Unruh and Bill Irwin each scored 15 to pace Winnipeg. …………………………………………………… In game two, Alberta whipped Winnipeg 105-57. …………………………………………………… In game two, Alberta waltzed to a 105-57 win after leading 44-29 at the half. Dick DeKlerk paced the Bears with 23. Warren Champion added 20, Bob Morris 17 and Dave Swann 10. Rich Macey led the Wesmen with 22.
Host Manitoba dumped Saskatchewan 87-69 (as reported by Manitoba, and 87-76, as reported by The Sheaf) and 97-73. …………………………………………………… In game one Manitoba prevailed 87-69 as Gary Puttaert scored 21 and Terry Ball 16. Dale Galan led the Huskies with 21. Bob Thompson added 11. …………………………………………………… In game two, the Bisons clocked the Huskies 97-73 as Terry Ball scored 28, Ross Wedlake 19 and Gary Puttaert 11. Tom Gosse paced the Huskies with 23. Dale Galan added 13 and Jim Sekulich 13.
Manitoba twice defeated host Calgary 83-61 and 107-56.
Regina twice spanked Calgary 88-59 and 69-62. …………………………………………………… In game one, Regina dusted Calgary 88-59 as Dillabaugh scored 12, Don Blackburn 12, Schepers 12, Bernie Brandt 9, Casper DeJong 7 and Merv Prier 7. Bill Newcombe led the Dinos with 15. Brian Saunders added 9, Alexander 9 and Rascoe 4. …………………………………………………… In game two, Regina clipped Calgary 69-62 as Bernie Brandt scored 16, Korven 15, Blackburn 11, Schepers 8, Dillabaugh 7 and Metcalfe 2. Brian Saunders led the Dinos with 15. Bennett added 12, Newcombe 10, Reeson 9, Alexander 6, Amalung 5, Meyer 3 and Southoff 2, while Hodgson was scoreless.
Saskatchewan defeated Calgary 78-65 and 69-63. …………………………………………………… In game one, Saskatchewan defeated Calgary 78-65 despite trailing 38-34 at the half. Jim Sekulich led the Huskies with 19. Dennis Jones added 18, Dale Galan 14, Tom Gosse 14 and Doug Dodd 11. The Dinosaurs led 38-34 at the half but the Huskies repeatedly broke Calgary’s full-court pressure for layups in the second half. Al Kettles paced the Dinosaurs with 14. Brian Sanders added 11. …………………………………………………… In game two, Saskatchewan edged Calgary 69-63 as Dale Galan scored 17, Bob Pepper 12 and Brent Batting 8. Brian Sanders led the Dinosaurs with 17. Clarence Amalung added 10. The score was knotted at 30 at the half. Huskie guards Tom Gosse, Dale Galan and Brent Batting held league-leading scorer Tom Sindlinger to a combined 13 over two games.
Host Manitoba dumped Alberta 68-58 and 85-63. The wins ended Alberta’s 14 game winning streak. …………………………………………………… In game one, Manitoba prevailed 68-58 by dominating the boards. Bisons coach Jack Lewis said complaints about the officiating were moot. “The refereeing is different in every town. You have to come to accept the fact.” Manitoba led 42-35 at the half and stretched their margin to 15 before Alberta rallied within 61-52. But the Bisons went into a complete stall and neutralized Alberta’s press. Terry Ball paced Manitoba with 25. Ross Wedlake added 11. Warren Champion led Alberta with 15. Bob Morris added 11. Manitoba shot 28% from the floor, while Alberta hit 33%. …………………………………………………… In game two, Manitoba crushed Alberta 85-63. The Bisons ripped off an 18-0 run in the first half and built a 43-24 lead at the half. When Alberta’s Warren Champion and Dick DeKlerk fouled out early in the second half, the outcome was sealed. Ross Wedlake paced Manitoba with 22. Terry Ball added 21. Al Melnychuk paced the Bears with 13. Andy Skujins added 12. Manitoba hit 25-48 from the floor, while the Bears shot 36%.
Host Alberta crushed Regina 92-51 and 68-55. …………………………………………………… In game one, Alberta was almost flawless in dusting the Cougars 92-51. “After those defeats in Winnipeg, we just had to run and get out tempo back,” said Bears coach Barry Mitchelson. “You get a couple of quick baskets like we did and you’ve got tempo.” The Bears led 41-22 at the half. Larry Nowak paced Alberta with 18. Dick DeKlerk added 15, Warren Champion 14 and Bob Morris 11. Garry Korven led the Cougars with 9. …………………………………………………… In game two, Alberta won 68-55 after leading 42-32 at the half. Dick DeKlerk paced the Bears with 14. Warren Champion added 12. Merv Prior led the Cougars with 12.
Calgary split with host Manitoba, winning 67-62 and then losing 80-58. …………………………………………………… In game one, Calgary prevailed 67-62 as Glen Alexander scored 19, Warren Mayer 16, Brian Sauders 10, Ken Reeson 9 and Bill Newcombe 9. Terry Ball led the Bisons with 16. Ted Stoesz added 12. …………………………………………………… In game two, Manitoba pounded Calgary 80-58 as Ted Stoesz scored 21, while nabbing 11 boards. Gary Puttaert added 16, Terry Ball 14 and Bob Town 10, along with 10 boards. Barrie Bennett paced the Dinos with 19, while Ken Reeson nabbed 13 boards.
Saskatchewan twice defeated host Winnipeg, 94-81 and 82-80. …………………………………………………… In game one, Saskatchewan prevailed 94-81 as Dale Galan scored 21, Tom Gosse 16 and Jim Sekulich 15. Bill Irwin led the Wesmen with 21 points and 20 boards. Rick Macey scored 14. …………………………………………………… In game two, Saskatchewan nipped Winnipeg 82-80 as Dale Galan scored 25, Jim Sekulich 19 and Hal Herbison 16. Rick Macey led the Wesmen with 18. Bill Irwin added 14, along with 20 boards.
Host Saskatchewan crushed Winnipeg 92-63 and 99-82. In game one, the Huskies dusted the Wesmen 92-63 as Tom Gosse scored 27, Dale Galan 18 and Dennis Jones 18, along with 17 boards. Craig Parker paced the Wesmen with 18. Rich Macey added 17. …………………………………………………… In game two, the Huskies prevailed 99-82 as Dennis Jones scored 29, while nabbing 12 boards. Tom Gosse scored 22 and Doug Dodd 19. The Huskies exploded for a 21-2 second-half run as they took command. Manitoba dumped Winnipeg 91-71 and 75-70. …………………………………………………… In game one, Manitoba thumped Winnipeg 91-71 as Terry Ball scored 21, Ted Stoesz 18 and Ross Wedlake 10. Rich Macey led the Wesmen with 25. Bill Irwin added 15 and Craig Parker 10. …………………………………………………… In game two, the Bisons edged the Wesmen 75-70 as Teddy Stoesz scored 10, Ross Wedlake 10 and Terry Ball 8. Rich Macey led Winnipeg with 13.
Alberta clocked Calgary 100-81 and 94-61 (94-57, according to The Gauntlet). …………………………………………………… In game one, Alberta prevailed 100-81. Calgary led 49-42 at the half but reserves Ian Walker and Larry Nowak, along with Andy Skujins and Al Melnychuk quickly ignited the Bears offence in the second half as they took command. Ian Walker led Alberta with 24. Larry Nowak added 21, Andy Skujins 14, Al Melnychuk 10, Bob Morris 10, Dick DeKlerk 8 and Warren Champion 6. Ken Reeson paced the Dinosaurs with 14. Brian Saunders added 12, Barrie Bennett 12, Bill Newcombe 11 and Glen Alexander 10. …………………………………………………… In game two, Alberta romped 94-61 after leading 50-26 at the half. Dave Turner, Larry Nowak and Warren Champion each scored 16 to lead the Bears. Ian Walker added 12, Bob Morris 11 and Dick De Klerk 11. Barrie Bennett paced the Dinosaurs with 14. Brian Saunders added 12.
Manitoba dispatched Regina 63-53 as Terry Ball scored 20 and Gary Puttaert 13. Merv Prier led the Cougars with 16. Don Turnbull added 5.
Saskatchewan and Regina split a season-ending series, with the Huskies prevailing 89-72 and the Cougars winning 66-60. …………………………………………………… Saskatchewan whipped Regina 89-72 as Dale Galan scored 20 and Jim Sekulich 19. Gary Korvan led the Cougars with 18. Don Blackburn added 11. …………………………………………………… In game two, Regina prevailed 66-60 despite trailing 40-35 at the half. Merv Prior led the Cougars with 12. Dale Galan led the Huskies with 18. Tom Gosse added 16.
The champion Alberta Golden Bears were a blend of vets and rookies. Warren Champion scored 333 points on season, and 189 boards; Dick DeKlerk 235 points and 155 rebs; Bob Morris 219 pts and 45 rebs; Larry Nowak 185 points and 196 rebs; Al Melnychuk 139 pts and 39 rebs; Bryan Rakoz 121 pts and 101 rebs; Andy Skujins 91 pts and 53 rebs; Ian Walker 89 pts and 49 boards; Dave Swann 78 pts and 57 rebs; Don Melnychuk 77 pts and 19 rebs; Marcel deLeeuw 40 pts and 19 rebs; Dave Turner 30 pts and 19 reb. Rakoz, Nowak, Al Melnychuk, Swann and Walker were sophs. Skujins and Don Melnychuk had sat out previous year. Morris deLeeuw, DeKlerk and Turner were rookies. Don Melnychuk, a graduate student, played for the first part of the season but then became disenchanted with his studies and left school.
The bronze medalist Saskatchewan Huskies: Dennis Jones; Tom Gosse; Doug Dodd; Brent Batting; Doug Dodd; Wayne Dyck; Dale Galan; Hal Herbison; Larry Larson; Dave Pickett; Jim Sekulich; Bob Thompson; Bob Pepper; coach Bob Mirwald; assistant Don Steponchev; manager Doug Kofski
The runner-up Manitoba Bisons: Terry Ball; Frank Cooney; Irv Hanec; Gord Puttaert; Bruce Dobbin; John Loewen; Ralph Schoenfeld; Ted Stoesz; Bob Town; Bill Wedlake; Ross Wedlake; Gary Puttaert; coach Jack Lewis; assistant Fred Ingaldson; assistant Hank Tatarchuk; manager John Brown
The champion Alberta Golden Bears: Warren Champion; Dick DeKlerk; Bob Morris; Larry Nowak; Al Melnychuk; Bryan Rakoz; Andy Skujins; Ian Walker; Dave Swann; Don Melnychuk; Marcel de Leeuw; Dave Turner; coach Barry Mitchelson; assistant John Baker; manager Ken Barton; manager Leo Rurko