Jasper Place – The St. Albert Skyhawks delivered a strong message in Saturday’s statement game as the first high school women's basketball team to repeat in the storied 33-year history of the REB Invitational.
“It says that we’re going to come out and do business with the rest of the teams we play against,” announced Marinya Marcichiw, the tournament MVP, while clutching the championship trophy during the post-game celebration.
The 2014 4A provincial bronze medallists are 8-0 as winners of two tournaments in three weeks after conquering the Holy Cross Crusaders 45-33 in the REB final.
“It shows a lot about our determination and our drive to be better every single year and game. We’re just determined to get better on the court every time we step on it,” said tournament all-star Brielle Wise, a co-captain and one of eight returning Skyhawks from last season's 4A debut and 30-5 overall record after an unprecedented four consecutive 3A provincial championships.
“It’s huge,” added Marcichiw of the REB repeat. “It shows that even losing two players (to graduation) we can come back and play just as hard as we did last year against any competition.
“It’s definitely the highlight of the year so far but there are a lot of games still to go.”
The heavy contenders for provincial honours should be ranked No. 1 in 4A when the Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association releases its season-opening top-10 listings later this week.
“Obviously we have end goals to go to cities (metro Edmonton division one final) and provincials so we’re working towards that every single practice,” Wise said.
The Skyhawks averaged 82 points per win and 36 against prior to the defensive tug-of-war with the Crusaders. The Saskatoon-based Crusaders were missing their six-foot-three Grade 10 post, Kyla Shand, a junior national team identified player, but had all five starters back from last season.
“This was definitely a good match. It was one of our top games but it wasn’t our best. We played good but we didn’t play to our fullest potential. It’s still the beginning of the season and we have lots to work on and improve. We have lots of time for that so we’re looking forward to moving on from this and use it as momentum,” said Wise, last year’s tournament MVP.
The first half was packed with coast-to-coast action and strong rebounding. The Skyhawks were outscored 9-4 in the second quarter but led 18-13 at halftime.
In the third quarter, after the Crusaders converted two free throws in the last minute to close the gap to three, co-captain Jessa Ivicak unleashed two three-pointers 22 seconds apart as the Skyhawks tightened their grip on the contest.
Ivicak led all scorers with three three-pointers and 16 points overall before fouling out with 1:33 to play. The Grade 12 guard also flexed her muscles in the paint.
The third quarter ended with a Crusaders’ free throw to trail 33-25.
An eight-point run in the last quarter put the Crusaders down by 15 at 41-26 with 3:38 remaining.
“We decided to come out and play 40 minutes and commit to playing the whole game and that’s what we did. It’s the first game all season we played the whole game. The other two games we didn’t play a full 40 minutes. We had to work up to it. The first game (at the REB) we played 25, the second 30 and this one was 40,” said Marcichiw, the finisher on some great setups for 12 points.
The Grade 12 forward described the final as her best all-around effort of the tournament.
“To be named MVP is huge, especially in my senior year. I just try and work hard for the team every time,” said Marcichiw, a co-captain and teammate of Wise with the Team Alberta bronze medallists at the Canada Basketball U17 nationals.
Wise tacked up six of her nine points in the fourth quarter. The Grade 12 wing also drained a three in the first quarter to put the Skyhawks up by seven.
Riki Steward was also strong on the boards while chipping in offensively.
Visit www.stalbertgazette.com to view the team picture.
The Crusaders advanced to the final with a 58-43 win over the Spruce Grove Panthers, the 2014 metro division one champions the Skyhawks beat for bronze at provincials.
In the third-place game the Panthers defeated the William Aberhart Orange of Calgary 72-66.
In the semifinals the Skyhawks peeled the Orange 76-60.
“In the semifinal game we were rolling really good and we were all working together. It was just an overall really good game for everyone,” said Wise, the top scorer with 20 points. “I wouldn’t have got any of the looks I got if it wasn’t for my teammates working hard.”
Ivicak tacked up 18 and Aphia Ward added 11 against the Orange.
The Skyhawks tipped off the REB with a 67-45 decision against the Lethbridge Collegiate Institute Clippers. Ivicak pumped in 17 points, Wise drained 11 and Ward had nine.
“The competition was pretty solid throughout the entire tournament. We were tested by pretty much every single team we faced. We just had to go on the court and play the game that we always play,” Wise said.
The last league game before the Christmas break was Tuesday against the visiting Strathcona Lords but the score was unavailable at press time.
In two previous division one games the Skyhawks outscored the opposition by a combined 169-64 score.
The Skyhawks and Panthers are the leading candidates to reach the Division 1 final again. Last season the Panthers ended the Skyhawks’ two-year reign as metro champions in a hard-fought 70-65 tussle.
The Skyhawks, repeat winners of the Mike Dea Classic at St. Francis Xavier High School to start the season, have the potential to be even better than last season.
“We’re working hard in every practice and in every game we go out and try and execute. We just want to be the best that we can be,” Wise said.
FREE THROWS: The junior Skyhawks finished fourth out of six teams at the REB Invitational after winning last year’s tournament title.
The lady Skyhawks knocked off the Bev Facey Falcons 52-41 before falling 72-30 to the Clippers to place second in pool B and in the third-place game lost 55-48 to the Harry Ainlay Titans.
The two-time defending metro division one junior champions played their first league game Tuesday against the SFX Rams at the SkyDome but the score was unavailable at press time.
