Hawks hold 4th annual basketball tournament

Your co-hosts: Halton Hawks 2013 Sr. Boys basketball team
T. Lucas and C. Davis photos and video

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice with Toni Lucas and Randy Whitehead

The 4th annual Halton Hawks Classic 2013 Basketball Tournament was held last weekend at Matthew Halton and St. Michael's schools.  A total of 16 Senior Girls and Boys teams from southern Alberta traveled to Pincher Creek to participate in a total  of 24 games.


Player of the Game was chosen after each game by the opposing team, a practice around here that seems to work quite well.

The Coaldale Christian Titans upset the Ecole de la Rose Couguars for First Place in the Senior Boys contest.  The F.P. Walshe Flyers prevailed over St. Michael's Dragons for First Place in the Senior Girls contest.  That game was decided by 1 point.

Tournament all stars
Girls
Matthew Halton – Laressa McGLynn
Ecole de la Rose  - Laetitia Chrapchynski
Crowsnest   - Allison Farfus
Erle Rivers – Sierra Harty
St. Michael's – Catherine DeCock and Elise Wocknitz
JT Foster – Larah Smith
Noble Central – Taylor Holtorf
FP Walshe – Cheyenne
MVP – FPWalshe – Sam B.

Boys
Matthew Halton – Graham Milligan
St Marys Taber – Ian Glas
FP Walshe – Jesen Little Moustache
Livingstone – Aaron Brown
Coaldale Christian – Derek Oostenbrug
Ecole de la Rose – Modibo Bengaly and Jonatas Michel
Erle Rivers – Dayton Johnston
St. Michael's – Gabe Rainford
MVP – Coaldale Christian – Eric de Leeuw

GAMES

Game 1: Sr. Girls - St. Michael's Dragons and Nanton's J.T. Foster Raiders

Dragons vs Raiders

The Dragons won this one easily by a score of 57-23.  Kelli Potts of the Dragons had a great game, scoring 16 points, 8 of those in the first quarter.  Catherine DeCock of the Dragons was right behind her with 12 points.  DeCock was awarded Player of the Game. Larah was top scorer for Nanton with 10 points, and Jacquelyn Walker was Player of the Game.

Game 2: Sr. Boys - F.P. Walshe Flyers vs Erle Rivers Comets
Fort Macleod's F.P. Walshe Flyers defeated the Erle Rivers Comets by a wide 79-33 margin.  The big story of this game was Jesse of the Flyers, who scored a total of 34 points, 12 of those in the last quarter and 11 of those in the third quarter, and a nice three-pointer in the second.  Taylor Atwood of the Flyers had a strong finish, scoring 9 of his total 15 points during the final quarter.  Cody Can Driestan and Jessen Little Moustache of the Flyers got a three-pointer each in the final quarter,

Game 3: Sr. Girls - Crowsnest Consolidated Pandas vs  Erle Rivers Novas
The Novas won this one 52-37 margin.  Top scorers for the Pandas were Raegan Jackson, Meaghan Flannery, and Allison Farus. Cortney Green was Player of the Game for the Pandas.  Sierra Harty was the big cheese of the Novas team after a 15 point performance.  Grace Oswald and Player of the Game Stephanie Graham were right behind her with 11 points each.

Game 4: Sr. Boys - Halton Hawks vs Coaldale Christian Titans

Hawks vs Titans

Coaldale swamped the Hawks in this one, 102 -31, despite the first basket going to the Hawks.  Austin Sinclair was awarded Player of the Game for the Hawks.

Game 5: Sr. Girls - F.P. Walshe vs Ecole de la Rose Couguars
F.P. Walshe romped to a 57 - 16 victory in this one. Pamela Bergeron was Player of the Game for Ecole de la Rose, and Kaitlin was Player of the Game for F.P. Walshe.

Game 6: Sr. Boys - Livingstone Sabres vs Ecole de la Rose

Sabres vs Couguars

66-47 for Ecole de la Rose, by far the flashiest team in the whole tournament. Modibo Bengaly was player of the game for Ecole, and their top scorer with 28 points. Teammate Jonatas Michel was right behind him with 22 points. Those two were the dominant factor in the game.  Aaron Brown was top scorer for the Sabres with an amazing 24 points, 12 of those in the third quarter, and Cord Delinte was named Sabres' Player of the Game.

Game 7: Sr. Girls - Halton Hawks vs Noble Central Blades

Hawks vs Blades

A big win for the Sr. Girls Hawks, 63-34.  24 of those Hawks points came from Player of the Game Laressa McGlynn,  a particularly strong first half for her.  Hawks Alyssa Barbero and Dakota Van Loon also had a particularly good game.  Player of the game for the Blades was Tasha Overeem.

Game 8: Sr. Boys - St. Michael's Dragons vs St. Mary's Celtics

Dragons vs Celtics

An easy 96-34 for the Dragons.  Josh Cruz was Player of the Game for St. Mary's after a 10-point effort on his part.  Nathan Bruder scored 10 points for the Dragons, and was named Player of the Game.  Bruder's really good at this basketball stuff, but his heart's in volleyball, at which he also excels.  Top scorers for the Dragons were Jared Pittman with 24 points.  Jared was a three-point monster throughout the games he participated in, and was sorely missed on the second day of the tournament.  Top scorer for the Dragons was Gabe Rainford with 27 points. Rumour has it this fine young man has his eye on SAIT as he finishes his graduating year.  Promo reel soon.  Right behind him in the scoring department was Pittman, followed by Corey Geddes with 12 points.  Geddes has been a solid performer in every game I've seen him in, reliable, quietly effective, and quite capable of taking it to the hoop and putting it in the win column.

Game 9: Sr. Girls - Crowsnest Pass Pandas vs J.T. Foster
42-34 for the Pandas.  Evenly matched teams that spread their scoring around, which so often proves to be a critical asset for winning at basketball. Player of the Game for J.T. Foster wwas Jayci Blake.  Player of the Game for the Pandas was Meaghan Flannery, also top scorer of the game with 26 points.

Game 10: Sr. Boys - Erle Rivers Comets vs Halton Hawks

76-67 for Erle Rivers.  Yu Zhou was Player of the Game for Erle Rivers.  There top scorer was the game changer, Dayton Johnston with 41 points.  Player of the game for the Hawks was the mighty Ferlin Crow Shoe, 14 points and just about the happiest basketball player I've ever seen.  Inspiring.  A dismal record for the Hawks all season, but it's my opinion, after watching lots of games between lots of teams this season, that they are the most improved team out there.  The growth in teamwork alone has been worth noting.  9 guys that spread the scoring around, supporting each other's plays, it's a good thing. I think Graham Milligan truly became a leader this season, worthy of note.  Austin Sinclair and Jack Dietze working it up the sides together was a nice bit of work on several occasions.  And Teigan, the wild man with the wilder hair.  Dynamo.

Halton Hawks vs Erle Rivers Comets

Game 11: Sr. Girls - Nobleford vs Ecole de la Rose
45-39 for Nobleford. Makayla Hofer was Player of the Game for Nobleford, and also scored 12 points.  Top scorer for Nobleford was Taylor Holorf, again a force to be reckoned with, with 25 points. The game changer.  Ecole de la Rose's Player of the Game was Caroline Bastien.  Their top scorer was Laetitia Charpchynski with 12 points, followed by Marie-Eve Longchamps with 10 points.

Game 12: Sr. Boys - St. Mary's Celtics vs Livingstone Sabres 
88-53 for the Sabres. Sabres Player of the Game Aaron Brown and teammate Ross Cook scored 23 points each, with Corde Delinte having a great 33 point game. Cartiand Christensen was Player of the Game for St. Mary's.  Their top scorer was Tyler Gouw with 15 points.

Game 13: Sr. Girls - Erle Rivers vs St. Michael's Dragons
The Dragons won this one by a score of 57-39. Dragons Player of the Game Kelli Potts was a big part of their success, scoring 25 points.  11 points by Catherine DeCock, just because she can.  The Dragons are a really together team, generally speaking.  New talent is integrating well now too.  Top scorer for Erle Rivers was Megan Douglas with 13 points.

Game 14: Sr. Girls - Halton Hawks vs F. P. Walshe
71-41 for F. P. Walshe.   Player of the game for F.P. Walshe was Carlin.  F.P. Walshe spreads the scoring around.  Cheyenne was their top scorer with 12 points.  Carlin, Holly, Sam, and Kaitlin scored 6 points apiece.  Claire Johnson was Player of the Game for the Hawks and scored 7 points.  Top Hawks scorers were Dakota Van Loon and Laressa McGlynn with 11 points each.

Game 15: Sr. Boys - Coaldale Christian vs F.P. Walshe
Coaldale romped to an  89-50 victory in this one. Zachary Blutena was Coaldale Player of the Game, and scored 17 points.  Top scorer for COaldale was Eric de Leeuw with 25 points, followed by Derek Oostenbrug with 22 points. Player of the Game for F.P. Walshe was Cody Van Driestan, who also scored 12 points.  Their top scorer was Jessen Little Moustache with 17 points.

Game 16: Sr. Boys - Dragons vs Ecole de la Rose

Dragons vs Couguars

64-51 for Ecole de la Rose Couguars.

What a fun game to watch!  Couguars top scorer was Modibo Bengaly with 27 points, followed by Jonatas Michel with 22 points.  A familiar pattern emerges.  This was one of the great games of the tournament.  Very different teams, and the Dragons made the Couguars work for every bit of it.  Jared Pittman rocked it, scoring 15 points in the process.  He's got a great long-shot.  19 points for Dragons Player of the Game Gabe Rainford.  Nice three pointers for Rainford and Pittman too.  You can pretty much bank on those two doing what it takes.  No points for Sam Parkinson, but he's sure grown into this team after sneaking in as a new addition last season.  Rap Palao too.  Once he refines his shooting just a little bit, look out.  Braden Barber has been ripping it up all season.  An interesting football season is ahead, I think.

Game 17: Sr. Girls - Noble Central Blades vs Crowsnest Pandas

Pandas vs Nobleford

58-38 for the Pandas. Meaghan Flannery was top scorer for the Pandas with 20 points.  14 points for Reagan Jackson and 12 points for Allison Farfus.  Top scorer for Noble Central was Taylor Holtorf with 19 points.

Game 18: Sr. Girls - Ecole de la Rose vs J.T. Foster
A decisive 54-24 victory for J.T. Foster.  Larah Smith was their Player of the Game and top scorer with 26 points.  A game-changer.  Laetitia Charpchynski was Player of the Game and top scorer for Ecole de la Rose after a 15 point effort.

Game 19: Sr. Boys - Livingstone Sabres vs Erle Rivers Comets
The Sabres bounced to an easy 63-29 victory in this one, despite missing three key players.  Top scorer for Erle Rivers was Dayton Johnston with 13 points.  Aaron Brown was named Sabres All-Star for the tournament, and was also their top scorer with 24 points.  Corde Delinte and Morgan Cook scored 17 points each.

Game 20: Sr. Boys - St. Mary's vs Halton Hawks
63-41 for St. Mary's.  Their Player of the Game was Tyler Gouw, who was also top scorer with 18 points.  Their All-Star was Ian Glas, who scored 13 points. Austin Sinclair was  top scorer for the Hawks with 9 points, followed by Dawson Jarvis and Ferlin Crow Shoe with 8 points each.

Game 21: Sr Boys 3rd Place Game - F.P. Walshe Flyers vs St. Michael's Dragons

This one was an upset for Dragons fans.  A nice three pointer by Gabe Rainford was a good start for the Dragons.  The game was close until the final quarter, when F.P. Walshe surged ahead to win it 87-70, taking third place in the tournament.  Their top scorer was Jessen Little Moustache with 34 points, followed by Cody Van Driestan with 18 points and Justin Atwood with 14 points.  Top scorer for the Sabres was Gabe Rainford with 42 points.  That's not a typo.  16 points for Nathan Bruder.

Game 22: Sr. Girls 3rd Place Game - Halton Hawks vs Erle Rivers

Hawks vs Novas

Talk about your close ones!  The Hawks edged Erle Rivers 62-58 in this one.  Player of the Game and tournament All-Star for Erle Rivers was Sierra Harty, wo was also top scorer with 21 points. Player of the Game for the Hawks was Dakota Van Loon, who also scored 17 points.  Hawks All-Star was Laressa McGlynn, who also scored 18 points.  Top scorer for the Hawks was Alyssa Barbero with 21 points.  Hawks take third at their own tournament after a difficult regular season.  Sweet.

Game 23: Hawks Classic Senior Girls Championship Game - F.P. Walshe Flyers vs St. Michael's Dragons

Flyers vs Dragons

A heartbreaker for the Dragons, who lost this game by 1 point, 50-49.  Player of the Game for the Dragons was Josie Naumczyk, who also tied for top scorer with All-Star Elise Wocknitz, 14 points apiece. Wockinitz shared All-Star status with teammate Catherine DeCock.  Sam was named Most Valuable Player for the F.P. Walshe team, and scored 10 points in this game.  Their Player of the Game was Holly.  Their All-Star was Cheyenne.  Their top scorer was Carlin with 17 points. They went home to Fort Macleod with the Gold.

Game 24: Hawks Classic Senior Boys Championship Game - Ecole de la Rose Couguars vs Coaldale Christian Titans

Couguars vs Titans

 The Titans defeated the top team in the province 71-54.

Fouls and injury cost the Couguars this game.  Most Valuable Player for the Titans was Eric de Leeuw, also scored 20 points.  Their Player of the Game and All-Star was Derek Oostenbrug, who was also top scorer with 29 points.  Player of the Game for the Couguars was Josiah Wilson.  Their top scorer was All-Star Jonattas Michel with 22 points, followed by All-Star Modibo Bengaly with 20 points.

Gold for Coaldale.

2012/13 Coaldale Titans - Tournament Champs
T. Lucas photo

Videos:

Update February 27, 2013

Randy Whitehead making it happen

Thanks:
A huge thank you to Matthew Halton School Athletic Director Randy Whitehead for all his hard work, behind and in front of the scenes.  Without him this tournament would have been much less possible.  Same goes for this article.  A shout out to the ladies who ran the concession stand.  Yes, including you, young lady.  A shout out to the refs as well, who volunteered their time, working long hours.  Some of them made large personal sacrifices to be there.  Without you fine folks the whole thing just wouldn't work.  Thank you.