REGULAR SEASON
| Calgary | 13-7 | 19-10 | Gary Howard | |||||
| Saskatchewan | 12-8 | 22-13 | Steve Roth | |||||
| Alberta | 11-9 | 15-18 | Don Horwood | |||||
| Victoria | 9-11 | 11-13 | Guy Vetrie | |||||
| Lethbridge | 8-12 | 14-14 | Dave Crook | |||||
| U.B.C. | 7-13 | Bruce Enns | ||||||
Playoff non-qualifiers:
U.B.C. Thunderbirds: Derek Christiansen, Dave Williscroft, Brian Tait, Bob Heighton, Randy Ellis, Mark Tinholt, Dave Downey, Jason Wubs, Jamie Bennett, Jeremy Morrow, Jason Pamer, Al Seredick, Eric Butler, coach Bruce Enns
Lethbridge Pronghorns: Tim Rollingson, Ryan Seaman, Seth Adler, Brian Kannekens, Joey deWit, Rob Blais, Benj Bullock, Brady Ibbetson, Mike Hansen, Mike Pajic, Mike Lynagh, Tad Lisowski, Dilbog Deol, coach Dave Crook
In the semis, Calgary defeated Victoria 89-95; 91-77; 86-83 (2g-1). …………………………………………………… In game one, Victoria prevailed 95-89 in overtime. Richard Bohne paced Calgary with 33. The Dinosaurs missed an opportunity to win the game in regulation when a free throw on the final play went awry. Calgary had 16 turnovers to Victoria’s 5. Greg Meldrum was dominant in overtime. “He was a one-man wrecking crew,” said Calgary coach Gary Howard. “We couldn’t stop him. Victoria deserved to win. They played one heck of a game.” Meldrum led Victoria with 22 points. Jeff Smith added 14 for Calgary. …………………………………………………… In game two, Calgary won 91-77 by maintaining its focus, said coach Gary Howard. “My focus is a trip to the CIAUs, not just to the Canada Wests, and that had better be my team’s focus too.” Howard added that his troops “performed a lot better in the trenches. Scoring and defensively, everybody had their moments. That’s kind of what we like to see. The idea is to have that all the time.” The Dinosaurs were determined to make it back to the nationals for the first time since 1976, said fifth-year forward Mark Loria. “That’s all I’m thinking about. We have to get through this series first but as long as we stay focused, I think we can.” Loria finished with 18 points and 11 boards. Richard Bohne added 28, Ian Minnifee 15 and Craig Newman 11. Minnifee said it was total team effort. “Those who came off the bench played well and so did our starters. We were pretty determined. We didn’t want our season to end.” …………………………………………………… In game three, Richard Bohne hit a Hail Mary 40-foot shot at the buzzer to give Calgary an 86-83 win and a berth in the conference finals.
In the other semi, Saskatchewan defeated Alberta 83-79; 76-74; 68-59 (2g-1). …………………………………………………… In game one, Alberta prevailed 83-79 in overtime as Greg DeVries forced an extra session with a trey in the dying moments to knot the score at 70. Clayton Pottinger led the Bears with 23. Rick Stanley and Sean Foote each added 14. Alberta led 42-39 at the half. Scott Ferguson led the Huskies with 20. …………………………………………………… In game two, Saskatchewan edged Alberta 76-74. The Huskies led 43-35 at the half and 73-70 with 40 seconds to play but held on for the win. Dean Wiebe paced Saskatchewan with 12. Murray Cunningham led the Bears with 23. Rick Stanley added 17. Saskatchewan shot .470 from the floor, while Alberta was .380. …………………………………………………… In game three, Saskatchewan defeated Alberta 68-59. Dean Wiebe scored 22 as the Huskies shot .540 from the field. The Bears shot .400 from the floor. “I think Saskatchewan was a little bit hungrier than us,” said Alberta coach Don Horwood. “And the games were so close that the Huskies’ desire could have been the difference. The effort from our guys was there, but when you are talking about a miniscule difference, the little things are what counts. I don’t think it was a choke factor. It just didn’t’ see as though we were going to have the magic. Murray Cunningham paced the Bears with 16 points and 11 boards.
In the finals, Calgary defeated Saskatchewan 92-76; 68-65 (2g-0).
In game one, all-stars Jeff Smith and Ian Minnifee dominated as the Dinosaurs registered a 92-76 win, with Smith scoring 33 and Minnifee 17. “I can’t say enough about Jeff Smith and Ian Minnifee,” said coach Gary Howard. “Ian showed his leadership capabilities tonight and Jeff played a heck of a game. He was tougher than a nail in the second half. If he keeps playing like that, we’re not just a good basketball team; we’re a very good basketball team.” Howard also noted that the Dinosaurs got an excellent contribution from Tony McDougall, who replaced leading scorer Richard Bohne, who’d fouled out in the second half. “McDougall did an awfully good job out there, giving away a lot of height.” The Dinosaurs took a seven-point lead in the first half but Saskatchewan rallied back to tie it as Doug Wegren got hot and then took a seven-point lead at the half. But Smith hit four consecutive buckets early in the second half as Calgary regained command. “We stopped trying to make quick plays and make easy scores and to take better shots than we were taking,” Smith said. Smith notched all but four of his points in the second half and the Dinosaurs iced it with a 17-5 run over the final four minutes of play. Richard Bohne finished with 3 points. Wegren led Saskatchewan with 31, including 22 in the first half. After the game, Howard asked Saskatchewan coach Steve Roth: “can I get a tennis racket for the guy who will be guarding Wegren (in game two)?”
In game two, the Dinosaurs edged Saskatchewan 86-65 to earn their first berth in the nationals in 17 years. “I’ve probably never felt better in my life,” said Dinosaurs coach Gary Howard. “I’m not going to think about Halifax until tomorrow. I’m just going to think about this. When you win one conference championship every 17 years, you’d better enjoy it.” Saskatchewan led by one at the half and appeared to be in command as they extended their lead to 13 early in the second half. But Richard Bohne ignited the Dinosaurs with two consecutive steals for full-court transition layups. Saskatchewan point guard Carlton Haak was sidelined by a knee injury and the Dinosaurs took command, closing out the match with a 28-12 run over the final eight minutes. “They got themselves in it in the second half and then they dug themselves out of it,” said Howard. “That’s sort of the way it’s been all season. It’s sort of like this win was meant to be. I’m really proud of these kids.” Fifth-year vet Ian Minnifee said he felt “kind of numb. I think there’s going to be a bit of celebrating in Calgary tonight.” Fifth-year vet Mark Loria summed up the win by saying, “I’m just so proud of the guys and I’m so happy for coach. It’s been so long for him.” Howard said Loria was outstanding. “He’s had a great season for us.” Loria finished with 9 points. Richard Bohne paced Calgary with 19. Jeff Smith added 15 and Craig Newman 14. Scott Ferguson led Saskatchewan with 22.
The co-bronze medalist Victoria Vikings: Cory Klassen; Greg Meldrum; Milan Uzelac; Amrit Lalli; Pat Cannon; Todd Langley; Andy Willmott; Chris Schriek; Jeff Bevington; Casey Olynyk; Regan Switucka; Colin Brousson; Clay Basham; coach Guy Vetrie
The co-bronze medalist Alberta Golden Bears: Murray Cunningham; Rick Stanley; Mike Frisby; Scott Martell; Sean Foote; Greg Badger; Greg DeVries; Clayton Pottinger; Scott Karaim; Chris Harrison; Tally Sweiss; Kendon Dressel; coach Don Horwood
The runner-up Saskatchewan Huskies: Dean Wiebe; Doug Wegren; Darrin Rask; Brad Schoenfeld; Scott Ferguson; Carlton Haak; Richard Lovelace; Brett Powell; Whitney Harris; John Lewis; Scott Moore; Paul Aikenhead; Greg Nichols; coach Steve Roth; SID Paul Bennett; athletic director Ross Wilson
The champion Calgary Dinosaurs: Richard Bohne; Ian Minnifee; Jeff Smith; Mark Loria; Craig Newman; Bill Lavergne; Tony McDougall; Jamie Mulholland; Hugh McKenzie; Kieron Warren; Stephane Rochet; Richard Dibb; Sandor Kiss; coach Gary Howard