REGULAR SEASON
| Lethbridge | 8-2 | 10-7 | Ken Olynyk | |||||
| Victoria | 7-3 | Ken Shields | ||||||
| Saskatchewan | 6-4 | 23-17 | Guy Vetrie | |||||
| Calgary | 5-5 | Gary Howard | ||||||
| Alberta | 3-7 | 16-19 | Don Horwood | |||||
| U.B.C. | 2-8 | 12-18 | Bill Edwards | |||||
Playoff non-qualifiers:
U.B.C. Thunderbirds: Pat West, Jag Bhogal, Paul Johansson, Erik Lockhart, Dale Olson, Kevin Hanson, Kevin Dancs, Don Young, Aaron Point, Jamie Stewart, Ken Klassen, coach Bill Edwards, assistant Mike McNeill, assistant Dale Fleming
Calgary Dinosaurs: John Rhodin, Bill Nash, Pat Harris, David Richards, Donovan Lawrence, Matt Pekar, Kurt Kelly, John Vigna, Dave Clutchey, Chris Overwater, Jeff Cahoon, Rick Pease, coach Gary Howard, assistant Bill Mitchell
In the semis, Alberta, fifth in the regular season and qualifier for the postseason tournament only by virtue as host, defeated first place Lethbridge 79-78. Mike Kornak tipped in Dick Price’s jumper with four seconds to play to win it for the Bears. “There is a God,” said Alberta coach Don Horwood. “I think it’s really super that we sucked it up and came back after going down like that.” Mike Suderman scored 16 as the Bears built a 40-35 lead at the half. But Lethbridge guards Brent Maxwell and Ken McMurray caught fire from the perimeter in the second half and the Pronghorns took a 74-68 lead with three minutes to play. Dean Peters tied the score on a tip in and then Dick Price hit a free throw to give the Bears the lead. Dave Ross countered with a pair of free throws with 32 seconds to play to give Lethbridge the lead. The Bears came down the floor and ran down the clock to set the stage for Kornak’s heroics. The Pronghorns (coached by Ken Olynyk, assisted by Tom Elwood) also included Don Webb, Murray Hanna, Chad Bowie, Jerome Ell, Shawn Gilborn, Dave Ross, Curtis French, Dave Westwood, Michael Hogg, Dave Racz and Bob Arnett.
In the other semi, Victoria defeated Saskatchewan 63-60. The Huskies led 40-35 at the half but began committing unforced turnovers in the second, while Phil Ohl and Dave Sheehan got hot for the Vikes. Victoria took a 59-56 lead on a goaltending call against Huskie Kirk Jones with three minutes to play. Jones knotted the score at 50 but Sheehan hit a jumper with 44 seconds to play to give Victoria the lead for good. After the Huskies missed two opportunities, Jamie Newman iced the win with a free throw. Dave Sheehan paced the Vikings with 18. Cord Clemens added 15, Phil Ohl 10, Randy Steele 5, Jamie Newman 5, Graham Taylor 4, Vito Pasquale 2, Lloyd Scrubb 2 and Shawn Kalinovich 2, while Rob Kreke and Wade Loukes were scoreless. Byron Tokarchuk paced the Huskies with 16, all in the first half. Dave Karwacki added 14, John Dewar 8, John Cleland 6, Paul Humbert 6, Mark Peters 5 and Kirk Jones 5, while Greg Jockims, Scott McLaren and Sheldon Ryma were scoreless.
In the bronze medal match, Saskatchewan clipped Lethbridge 85-72. “I’m not disappointed with the way we played,” said Pronghorns coach Ken Olynyk. “Alberta makes one tip-in Saturday, or we’re in the final. We rested (Ken) McMurray against Saskatchewan so we wouldn’t aggravate his ankle. We’re going to the regionals healthy and in a good frame of mind.” Bryon Tokarchuk paced the Huskies with 23 points and 14 boards. Murray Hanna led the Pronghorns with 23 points and 12 boards. The Pronghorns (coached by Ken Olynyk, assisted by Tom Elwood) also included Ken McMurray, Bob Arnett, Jerome Ell, Don Webb, Brent Maxwell, Dave Racz, Shawn Gilborn, Chad Bowie, Curtis French, Dave Ross, Dave Westwood and Mike Hogg.
In the final, Alberta followed with its second straight upset as the 3-7 Bears snapped Victoria’s 28-game playoff winning streak with an 89-76 victory. The Bears also snapped a personal 33-game losing streak against Victoria which had dated back to Feb 24-77. Tourney MVP Mike Kornak scored 23, including 10-15 from the field, 3-4 from the line and grabbed nine rebounds, 7 steals and 14 assists. Alberta was ahead 42-32 at the half and up by 25 with six minutes to play. Victoria got no closer than 13. Dean Peters added 16, Mike Suderman 12, Mark Baker 10, Gerry Cozens 9, Dick Price 9, Tom Demeo 8 and Gord Klootwyck 2, while Tim Becker and Scott McIntyre were scoreless. Graham Taylor paced the Vikings with 22. Phil Ohl added 12, Dave Sheehan 10, Cord Clemens 10, Vito Pasquale 4, Randy Steele 4, Shawn Kalinovich 4, Rob Kreke 4, Lloyd Scrubb 2, Jamie Newman 2 and Jerry Divocky 2, while Wake Loukes was scoreless. The Bears had lost 33 straight against Victoria over the course of eight years. “We wanted to show the country that we can play with the best,” said Mike Kornak. Coach Don Horwood added that “we deserve to be there in the national tournament, not because of our record but because we’re that good a team. … These kids can play ball. This weekend proved it. “Tom Demeo ripped down 11 defensive boards for Alberta, while Gerry Couzens and Dick Price attacked the basket with the penetration dribble and often found Mike Suderman or Mark Baker on the inside dish. Horwood told Canadian Press that “I’ve said all along that we can win against any team in the country. There a probably quite a few media people who say that ‘Don Horwood runs off at the mouth’ and I do. But I really believe that we can play against any team in the country. I knew these guys can play basketball and thank God this weekend we proved it.”
The bronze medalist Saskatchewan Huskies: Byron Tokarchuk; Paul Humbert; John Cleland; Greg Jockims; David Karwacki; Rob Regnier; Mike Phillips; Scott McLaren; John Dewar; Mark Peters; Sheldon Ryma; Kirk Jones; Dan Dewar; coach Guy Vetrie; assistant Tim Artemenko; trainer James Laskin; athletic director Val Schneider
The runner-up Victoria Vikings: Cord Clemens; Phil Ohl; Dave Sheehan; Graham Taylor; Lloyd Scrubb; Jamie Newman; Randy Steel; Wade Loukes; Shawn Kalinovich; Vito Pasquale; Jerry Divoky; Bob Kreke; Ryan Burles; Ellis Whelan; coach Ken Shields; assistant Quinn Groenheyde; assistant Tom Narbeshuber; trainer Steve Parker; manager Al Duddridge; athletic director Ken Shields; SID Barry Read
The champion Alberta Golden Bears: Mike Suderman; Mike Kornak; Dick Price; Chris Toutant; Gerry Couzens; Tim Becker; Dean Peters; Mark Baker; Glen Tinevez; Tony Demeo; Scott McIntyre; Gord Klootwyk; coach Don Horwood; assistant Steve Roth; athletic director Garry Smith, SID Steve Knowles