The defending senior and junior women’s champions at the REB Invitational were one win away from a return trip to their respective finals after Thursday’s tournament openers at Jasper Place High School
The St. Albert Skyhawks downed the Lethbridge Collegiate Institute Clippers 67-45 in the senior bracket and the junior Skyhawks beat the Bev Facey Falcons 52-41 in pool B action.
Depending on game results, the Skyhawks played the Harry Ainlay Titans or William Aberhart Orange of Calgary on Friday in the senior semifinals but the score was unavailable at press time.
Today, the Skyhawks hoop it up at 2:15 p.m. in the third-place game or in the 6 p.m. final.
A scheduling change saw the Skyhawks start the tournament against the Clippers, a skilled but young lineup featuring Grade 10 post Jessica Zarowny, a junior national team identified player. Jamie Cole and Riki Steward were standouts defensively guarding Zarowny.
Jessa Ivicak dominated the boards while scoring a team-high 17 points for the 2014 4A provincial bronze medallists. Brielle Wise tossed in 11 points and Aphia Ward had nine.
It was the sixth win in six games to tip-off the season for the Skyhawks, repeat winners of the Mike Dea Classic at St. Francis Xavier High School.
In league play, the metro Edmonton division one finalists thumped the Leduc Tigers 83-35 Monday on the road and blasted Facey 86-29 Wednesday at the SkyDome.
Marinya Marcichiw led all scorers with 22 points against the Tigers, who deployed a 2-3 zone the entire game as the Skyhawks pressured and switched up their defensive alignments. Steward also tacked up nine points and Jamie Bain added eight.
Ivicak dropped in 20 points against Facey and Marcichiw and Steward chipped in with 17 and 12, respectively.
Friday’s junior game between the Skyhawks and Clippers determined the top two pool B teams. The score was unavailable at press time.
Today, the junior Skyhawks hit the hardwood at 12:30 p.m. in the third-place game of the 4 p.m. final.
The two-time reigning metro division one junior champions were 4-0 after Thursday’s victory.
Visit www.rebinvitational.com for schedules and results.
The Paul Kane Blues started the 33rd annual REB Invitational with a bang Thursday in the men’s draw.
Paul Kane overpowered the Lethbridge Collegiate Institute Clippers 75-57 for a berth in Friday’s quarter-finals against the O’Leary Spartans, the 2014 4A provincial silver medallists. Win or lose, Paul Kane played a second game Friday. Scores were unavailable at press time.
Paul Kane’s overall record was 5-2, including a 2-1 start to the metro Edmonton division one season, after beating the Clippers.
The lady Blues are in the consolation bracket after dropping a 65-46 decision to the William Aberhart Orange of Calgary in Thursday’s opener.
Friday, the Blues hooked up with the Lethbridge Collegiate Institute Clippers but the score was unavailable at press time.
Today, the Blues rattle the rim at 10:45 a.m. or in the 12:30 p.m. consolation final.
The 2014 4A consolation finalists were 4-2 overall, including a 2-0 mark in metro Edmonton division one, after Thursday’s loss.
Visit www.rebinvitational.com for schedules and results.
The Bellerose Bulldogs are leaving their mark at the annual Rise Up tournament at Sturgeon Composite High School.
Thursday, the lady Bulldogs ran past the Louis St. Laurent Barons for a date with the Sturgeon Spirits in Friday’s semifinal. The score was unavailable at press time.
Today, the Bulldogs play at 3 p.m. in the third-place game or the 5 p.m. final.
The first game for the Bellerose men was Friday against a team from Regina but the score was unavailable at press time.
A win would put Bellerose in today’s 11 a.m. semifinal. The third-place game is 3 p.m. and the final is 7 p.m.
Visit www.sturgeoncomp.ca for tournament updates.
In the metro Edmonton league, Bellerose is 0-3 in division one. The men’s team hasn’t won a league game since the 2011/12 season.
The lady Bulldogs don’t play their first division two pool B game until Jan. 6.
