Eight games are on tap today at the Paul Kane Classic women’s basketball tournament, starting at 8:30 a.m. and ending with the 8:45 p.m. final.
The semifinals are noon and 1:45 p.m., the consolation final is 5:15 p.m. and the third-place game is 7 p.m.
It’s the third year for the Paul Kane Classic but the first without a men’s draw.
The eight-team tournament tipped-off Friday, with the host Paul Kane Blues against the Catholic Central Cougars of Lethbridge, Jasper Place Rebels against the Centennial Coyotes of Calgary, Spruce Grove Panthers against the Bishop Grandin Ghosts of Calgary and O’Leary Spartans against the Medicine Hat Kwahommies.
Scores were unavailable at press time.
Last year Medicine Hat knocked off the Blues in the final 76-68.
At the 4A provincials, Medicine Hat defeated Spruce Grove for the championship banner and Jasper Place beat the Blues in the consolation final.
Jasper Place (6-0) and Spruce Grove (5-1) are the metro Edmonton division one leaders and the Blues are 3-1 in league play after Wednesday’s 83-26 rout of the St. Joseph Saints (0-6) at Paul Kane. Three Grade 10 players led the Blues in scoring.
The only loss for the Blues was the league opener, 54-46 against Spruce Grove, the two-time defending champions.
Monday the Blues visit O’Leary (0-5) at 5 p.m.
The annual Boston Pizza Invitational Basketball Tournament, hosted by the St. Albert Physical Education Council, tips off Thursday at 4 p.m. in St. Albert.
The winning teams in the opening draw advance into the A bracket and the losing teams compete in the B bracket.
Saturday’s finals at Richard S. Fowler School are 1 p.m. for the girls and 2:15 p.m. for the boys in the B division and 3:30 p.m. for the girls and 4:45 p.m. for the boys in the A division.
Games are scheduled at Sir George Simpson, Lorne Akins, Vincent J. Maloney and Fowler throughout the three-day competition.
The tournament features 16 girls and 16 boys teams.
Local teams include the VJM Marauders, Elmer S. Gish Warriors, ESSMY Leopards, Lorne Akins Gators, Richard S. Fowler Falcons, Sir George Simpson Voyageurs, William D. Cuts Crusaders, Morinville Wolves, Camilla Thunderbirds and Sturgeon Heights Eagles.
Last year Fowler repeated as the boys division champion and the Gators were victorious in the girls division final.
Meanwhile, the SAPEC regular season starts Tuesday at 4 p.m. with Gish at ESSMY and the Gators at Morinville.
The Simpson boys and girls are the defending SAPEC Tier I city champions.
