11th Annual CMA Classic Tournament ends with hometown showdown

Toni Lucas and Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

For videos of this tournament click here.

Matthew Halton Hawks Rugby hosted the 11th Annual CMA Classic Senior High Girls Tournament on Friday, February 10 and Saturday, February 11.  Eight southern Alberta teams participated.  12 games were scheduled, to culminate in a championship game on Saturday evening.

Dragons vs Hawks
C. Davis photo

Teams participating:

• Halton Hawks
• St. Michael's Dragons
• Kainai Lady Warriors
• Crowsnest Pandas
• Willow Creek Cobras
• Coaldale Christian Titans
• FFCA Calgary Phoenix
• St. Joseph's Crusaders

Game 1:  St. Michael's Dragons vs Kainai Lady Warriors

The tournament got off to a quick start with a game between Pincher Creek's St. Michael's Dragons and the Kainai Lady Warriors. Neither team managed to gain the advantage at first, with the first quarter ending in a 12-12 tie.  The Dragons began to dominate in the second quarter, taking it by 18-10.  Kainai bounced back after the half, putting in a big effort, making the most of their scoring opportunities, winning the third quarter 18-11.  Coming into the final quarter the Warriors were only 3 points behind, but had evidently run out of steam, with the Dragons dominating the play and taking it 21-6.

Final score: Dragons 62, Warriors 48

• Dragons high scores: #10 - Amanda Higginbotham - 22 points, #13 - Tamara Parkin - 11 points, Player of the game: #12 Kelli Potts.
• Warriors high scores: #11 - Katelyn Good Striker - 25 points, #3 - Kerrisa First Rider - 11 points. Player of the game:  #3 Kerrisa First Rider.

Willow Creek Cobras
C. Davis photo

Game 2: Crowsnest Pandas vs Willow Creek Cobras

The Willow Creek Cobras played a solid game in this the second game of the tournament.  Both teams had trouble following through on their opportunities, making for a relatively low-scoring game.  The Cobras had the edge in all four quarters, moving them up to Game 5.

Final score: Cobras 58,  Pandas 42

• Pandas high scores: #10 - Galen Paton - 14 points, #4 Raegan Jackson - 7points, Player of the game:  #4 Raegan Jackson
• Cobras high scores: #13 - Tianny Toone - 16 points, #17 Shelby Turner- 16 points , Player of the game: #17 Shelby Turner

Coaldale Christian Titans vs Calgary FFCA Phoenix
T. Lucas photo

Game 3: Coaldale Christian Titans vs Calgary FFCA Phoenix 

Coaldale's Titans displayed superior teamwork in this game, dominating the scoreboard in all four quarters. They set up good plays, passed well, and had a solid defence.  The Phoenix played with pluck, and with another season's experience could be contenders next time.

  

Final score:  Coaldale 69, Phoenix 20

• Coaldale high scores: #2 - Tara-Lee Hulst - 28 points, #10 - Nicole Harthoorn - 27 points, Player of the game: #11 Allysa Winkelaar 
• Phoenix high scores: # 7 - Harleen Sandhu - 8 points, Player of the game: #8 Phoenix Bharvita Nakum

Halton Hawks vs St. Joseph's Crusaders
T. Lucas photo

Game 4: Matthew Halton Hawks vs Brooks St. Joseph's Crusaders

Brooks' St. Joseph's Crusaders were challenged going in to this game by a short bench, with only 6 players against the strong Halton Hawks until late in the first quarter, when their other teammates arrived.  As a result, the Hawks totally dominated the quarter 18-3, a lead that would prove difficult to overcome.

In the second quarter the Crusaders were able to demonstrate their actual abilities, tying it 13-13.  The Halton girls took some chancy long shots, rather than missing the opportunities. 

"It's been a pretty good game for Matthew Halton so far... but it is not over yet," said onlooker Ken Wittkopf.

In the third quarter the Crusaders gained more ground.  Hawks #5 F. Carley went above and beyond with a fantastic spine-bending move that would have had a less flexible person needing a chiropractor, trying  to keep a ball from going out of bounds.  The Crusader took the quarter 16-9.  In the low-scoring fourth quarter the two teams battled fatigue as much as each other, with Halton getting a slight edge and taking it 10-11.  In the end, the Crusaders were unable to overcome their first quarter deficit despite playing a winning game after assembling a full team.

Final score: Hawks 51, Crusaders 42

• Hawks high scores: #8 - Alyssa Barbero - 12 pts, #13 - Laressa McGlynn - 12 pts, #12 Dakota Van Loon - 10 pts, Player of the game: #13 Laressa McGlynn
• St. Joseph's Crusaders high scores: #9 - Maddison D - 18 points, #1 Kasey Stojke - 14 points, Player of the game: #1 Kasey Stojke

Kainai Lady Warriors vs
Crowsnest Pandas
T. Lucas photo

Game 5: Kainai Lady Warriors vs Crowsnest Pandas

This match was disrupted by technical fouls on the Kainai side, leading to an ejection. Despite having a larger bench, the Pandas struggled against the Warriors.  Warrior #11 Katelyn Good Striker demonstrated an ability to steal the ball and turn it into a basket. She was fast, and a solid foul-shooter as well. Pandas' #12 Allison F. demonstrated a beautiful long shot.  These two teams were quite evenly matched, staying within a few points of each other from quarter to quarter, but the Warriors had a slight edge throughout that eventually won them the game.

Final Score: Warriors 51, Pandas 44

• Warriors top scorers: #11 - Katelyn Good Striker - 18 points, #3 - Kerrisa First Rider - 11 points, Player of the game: #13 Storm Stimson
• Pandas top scorers: #12 - Alison Farfus - 13 pts, #6 - Meagan Flannery - 7 pts, #10 - Galen Paton - 7 points, Player of the game:  #12 Alison Farfus

FFCA Phoenix vs Brooks Crusaders
T. Lucas photo

Game 6: FFCA Phoenix vs Brooks Crusaders

Saturday's action began with this contest between the FFCA Phoenix and St. Joseph's Crusaders.

Phoenix #4 F. Sapideh was a solid player with a good vertical jump on the floor, and a valuable encouragement to her teammates when she was on the bench. The Crusaders won all four quarters.  The Phoenix had a good first half but the Crusaders dominated the second half.

Final score 49-65 

• Phoenix top scorers: #5 - Emily Schellenberg - 22 points, #7 - Harleen Sandhu - 11 points, MVP #7 Harleen Sanhu
• Crusaders top scorers: #9 Maddison Drader - 20 pts, #1 - Casey Storjke - 12 pts, #2 Hayley Kaczanowski - 12 pts, MVP #2 Hayley Kaczanowski

Dragons vs Cobras
T. Lucas photo

Game 7: Dragons vs Cobras
It was clear from the outset that these were two well matched teams. They both maintained a solid defensive perimeter around their own baskets, doing their best to prevent a clear shot from their opponents.

The Cobras took an early lead in the game, ahead 18-14 at the half.   The furious pace made for an exciting game to watch.  With two minutes left in the third quarter the score was tied 25-25, and by the time the buzzer rang the Dragons had pulled ahead 31-27.  The fourth quarter was a nailbiter, with neither team managing to maintain a lead for long. With six minutes left in the game the score stood tied at 35-35.  When the dust had cleared the Cobras had won the quarter, but not by enough to win the game.  The Dragons had won a spot in the Championship game.

Final score: Dragons 44, Cobras 41

• Dragons top scorers: #10 Amanda Higginbotham - 16 points, #5 Elise Wocknitz - 7 points, Player of the game: #11 Catherine DeCock
• Cobras top scorers: #13 Tianny Toone - 19, #12 Brittany Fisher - 10 points,Player of the game: #10 Rachel Eberl

Game 8: Coaldale Titans vs Halton Hawks 

Halton's Hawks upped their game on this outing, pulling together and functioning like a well-oiled machine. They doubled up 14-7 over the Titans in the first quarter.  In the second quarter the Titans bounced back, taking it 18-15.  In the third quarter the Hawks doubled up again, 20-10.  The Titans played a very respectable final quarter, winning it 16-14, but it was too little too late.  Hawks win it and earn the right to vie for the championship against hometown rivals the St. Michael's Dragons.

Final score: Hawks 63, Titans 51

• Hawks top scorers: #4 Malorie Goasdoue - 14 points, #14 Sydney Riedel - 15 points, Player of the game: #12 Dakota Van Loon
• Titans top scorers: #2 - Tara-Lee Hulst - 24 points, #10 - Nicole Harthoorn - 14 points #6, Player of the game: Esther Boeve

Pandas vs Phoenix
C. Davis photo

Game 9: Pandas vs Phoenix

The Crowsnest Pass Pandas won all four quarters against the FFCA Phoenix.

Final score: Pandas 48, Phoenix 25

• #10 Galen Paton - 13 points, #6 Megan Farfus - 12 points, AS #10 Galen Paton, Player of the game: #7 Jackie Kuftinoff
• #9 Sharon N - 12 points, #5 Emily Schelllenberg - 8 points, AS #13 Bethany Herman, Player of the game: #5 Emily Schellenberg

Game 10 (Consolation): Kainai vs Crusaders

St. Josephs Crusaders maintained a slight edge over the Kainai Lady Warriors in the Consolation game, emerging victorious and taking fourth place in the tournament.

Final score: Crusaders 55, Kainai 44

• Crusaders top scorers: #9 Maddison Drader - 18 pts, #2 Hayley Kaczanowski - 9 pts, AS #9 Maddison Drader, Player of the game: #10 Anke Hermus
• Kainai top scorers: #11 Katelyn Good Striker - 21 pts, #3 Kerissa First Rider 7 pts, AS  #11 Katelyn Good Striker, Player of the game: #12 Rochelle Shouting

Game 11: Cobras vs Titans

The Willow Creek Cobras and the Coaldale Christian Titans met to decide third place in the tournament on Saturday afternoon.  The Cobras had the edge in this closely matched game, partly due to the strong play of #13 Tianny Toone.  Cobras take third place in the tournament.

Final Score: Cobras 55, Titans 48

• Cobras top scorers: #13 Tianny Toone - 16 pts, #17 Shelby Turner - 10 points, AS #13 Tianny Toone, Player of the game: #2 Mckenzie
• Titans top scorers: #2 Tara-Lee Hulst - 24 pts, #10 Nicole Harthoorn - 13 pts, AS #10 Nicole Harthoorn, Player of the game: #2 Tara-Lee Hulst

Hawks vs Dragons in the Championship game
C. Davis photo

Game 12: Championship game, Dragons vs Hawks
After two days of intense competition, it was time for the two top teams to decide who was going to go home with the title.  When last these two Pincher Creek teams met just 6 days ago in regular season play, they battled to a 59-59 draw, forcing an overtime contest that resulted in the Hawks winning it by two point, 69-67.
In short, the Hawks and the Dragons have fine-tuned their rivalry to the point where it's anyone's guess which one might win on any given evening.

Incoming!!
C. Davis photos

"This is the first time ever that  the team has made it to the finals," said Hawks Coach Tanis French before the game. "Going this far in this tournament is a new feeling for us.  What I tell the girls is that if you get to first place, and you deserve it, you prove it by continuing to win," French continued.  Some of the Hawk girls were fooling around in the Hawks Nest (the school's cafeteria and social area) while this interview was taking place.  When asked if her girls were nervous.  French responded "If you are not nervous, it means that you don't care."

"I'm tired," said Dragons' #12 Kelli Potts as she prepared for the game.  "This is our 6th game this week, and the third in this tournament."

The Matthew Halton gym was packed as the girls hit the floor.  The Dragons got of to an auspicious start despite the absence of three teammates.  They scored first, and managed to stay just ahead of the Hawks through the first quarter. Hawks' #13 Laressa McGlynn only made on e basket in the quarter, but it was a doozie.   Dragons' #10 Amanda Higgenbotham was set the floor on fire, scoring 8 points for her team and frequently leading the charge.  If Kelli Potts was still tired, you couldn't tell by the way she played.  Hawks #12 Dakota Van Loon was also playing at the top of her game.  The first quarter ended with the Dragons ahead 16-10.

The second quarter was a delight, with both teams playing flat-out back and forth basketball.  Dragons #13 Tamara Parkin led the scoring for her team, with Higgenbotham just a basket behind her.  There's no way to say enough about the performance of Dragons #5 Elise Wocknitz, during this and any other quarter we've seen her play.  100%, all the way, every day.  Hawks' #14 Sydney Riedel led the charge for her team, racking up 8 points in the quarter, ably backed up by the performance of #4 Malorie Goasdue.  At the half the score was 32-24 for the Dragons.

In the third quarter the crowd was pulled into an emotional tug of war as the two teams battled each other for supremacy.  Halton's #9 Kasandra McKinnon didn't make it onto the scoreboard, but she was an inspiration to see, giving it all she had.  Higgenbotham and Potts continued to put in a maximal effort for the Dragons, and Riedel was again a force to be reckoned with on the Hawks' side.  The quarter ended with the Dragons ahead 46-38.

The fourth quarter was a masterwork of suspense.  The two teams played to a draw, until Halton began to edge up on the scoreboard.  With 4:50 left in the game the score was 46-40. Then 48-40.  Then 48-44.  Higgenbotham scored a penalty shot, and it was 49 44.  At 1:36 left on the clock, with  the score sitting at 49-46, the Dragons called a time out, caught their breath, and came back determined to make it happen.  55 seconds left, and two penalty shots later, it was 49-48.  The crowd was going nuts.  51-48.  51-50.  With 15 seconds left, and one critical penalty shot by DeCock later, it was 52-52.  That's where it stood as the buzzer rang, and in a repeat of Monday's game, three minutes of overtime would have to decide the game.

Seriously, can two teams be any more closely matched than these?

So, overtime.

52-52.

Dragons take a shot, miss.  Dragons #5 Elise Wocknitz takes it to the basket, and it's 54-52.  Hawks' #8 Alyssa Barbero sinks one right after that, after a beautiful bit of Hawks' passing play.  54-54.  Dragons' #7 Amelia Woodard sinks a long one, 56-54. Higgenbotham, again, comes through for the Dragons.  58-54. Hawks' Alyssa Barbero sinks a penalty shot, 58-55.  Wocknitz penalty shot brings it to 59-55. Hawks #9 Kasandra McKinnon sinks two penalty shots, 58-57, and a couple of seconds later the buzzer rings.

Final score, Dragons 59, Hawks 57.

Dragons top scorers: #10 Amanda Higginbotham - 21 pts, #12 Kelli Potts - 12 pts, AS #10 Amanda Higginbotham, Player of the game: #13 Tamara Parkin, Tourney MVP #5 Elise Wocknitz

Hawks top scorers: #14 Sydney Riedel - 18 pts, Dakota Van Loon - 8 pts, AS #14 Sydney Riedel, Player of the game: #6 Kendall Oliver, Tourney MVP #4 Malorie Goasdoue


The Dragons walk away the 11th Annual CMA Classic Tournament Champions, a tournament that was called the "Dragons Classic" in previous years.

The Hawks walk away knowing they came within one point of winning it, a first for them.

The fans walked away having witnessed one of the most exciting games of the year.


Hawks Coach Tanis French was proud of her team, both before and after the game.  "The grade 12's have been working the hardest," she explained.  "They have been at it from grade 10 on." Of the game itself she said "Both teams are evenly matched, so it came down to who made less mistakes."

"I'm so proud of all of them," she concluded.  "You can quote me on that."

Dragons Coach Sally Woodard said "Every bounce went our way in overtime.  We have a lot of dedicated players.   The girls have worked so hard. It's specially nice because of Monday's defeat against Halton."   She noted the "strong defence and teamwork" displayed by both teams.

Dragons' stalwart Amelia Woodard also expressed her exhaustion after a gruelling week of basketball.  When asked about the level of rivalry between the Hawks and the Dragons she said "We are all pretty close, it's a small town. We are friends. The girls from Halton were joking, and saying they'll get us next time.  It's a game."

2012 CMA Classic Champions
The St. Michael's Sr. Girls Dragons

2012 CMA Classic Tournament Second Place
The Matthew Halton Sr. Girls Hawks

For videos of this tournament click here.

"A good shooter has a short memory, and thinks the next one is going in." - unknown


A big thank you to John Lowry and Randy Whitehead for their assistance with this story.