The St. Albert Skyhawks tip off the high school basketball season Thursday at the 25th annual SAIT Silver Belle tournament in Calgary.
The three-time reigning 3A provincial women’s gold medallists and 2012 metro Edmonton premier conference champions play Bishop Grandin Ghosts of Calgary at 7 p.m. in the eight-team diamond division.
The 10-player Skyhawks’ roster features three returning players – Grade 12 forward Paige Knull, Grade 12 guard Amber Easthope and Grade 11 forward Kayla Ivicak – plus two additions from the junior Skyhawks’ metro junior championship team and five Grade 10s, including a trio from the SAPEC Tier 1 championship-winning Vincent J. Maloney Marauders.
Last season the Skyhawks rewrote the record book with a 3A provincial three-peat. In a rematch of the 2011 final, the Skyhawks defeated the McCoy Colts of Medicine Hat 68-64. The 34th win in 40 games was the 100th victory in 123 games during the team’s three-year championship run.
It was also the eighth consecutive provincials for the Skyhawks and the sixth year in a row they qualified as the Edmonton zone champions with John Dedrick as head coach. During his tenure the Skyhawks finished undefeated in premier twice in three years as the only St. Albert women’s basketball team to win premier and provincial championships.
League play for the Skyhawks starts next Wednesday against the O’Leary Spartans at 4:45 p.m. at the SkyDome.
The Paul Kane Blues make their season debut Thursday at the 15th annual Mike Dea Classic at the St. Francis Xavier Sports Centre.
In the round of 16, the two-time defending metro Edmonton premier men’s basketball champions dribble the ball against Catholic Central Cougars of Lethbridge at noon.
The Blues will be back on the court at 6 p.m. in the consolation side or 8 p.m. in the quarter-finals.
The final goes Saturday at 8 p.m. in the main gym.
Monday the Blues host Bev Facey Falcons in exhibition action at 4:45 p.m.
Last season the Blues finished 2-2 for eighth place at 4A provincials. The team’s overall record was 23-15, including an 11-1 showing in premier.
The St. Albert Skyhawks host their second annual Go Logowear Junior Basketball Tournament this weekend at the SkyDome and Vincent J. Maloney School.
Eight girls’ and eight boys’ teams from Alberta and Luther College of Regina are entered.
The Skyhawks fly into action Friday at the SkyDome against the M.E. Lazerte Voyageurs at 8:45 a.m. in the girls’ draw and 10:30 a.m. in the boys’ draw.
Saturday’s finals are 5 p.m. for the girls and 7 p.m. for the boys at the SkyDome.
