High school basketball is back with a bang after the holidays when the St. Albert Skyhawks host the O’Leary Spartans in Tuesday’s metro Edmonton premier women’s tilt. Tipoff is 6:15 p.m. at the SkyDome.
In the first provincial rankings released Dec. 20, the Skyhawks are the top 3A team and O’Leary is listed first in 4A.
The Skyhawks (4-0 premier; 7-3 overall) are the reigning 3A provincial gold medallists and premier league champions. The first high school team in St. Albert to win a provincial women’s basketball crown also made history by going 14-0 as the only 3A team in premier in 2009/10.
O’Leary (2-0 premier; winners of the Mike Dea Classic and Jasper Place tournaments) finished seventh at 4A provincials.
In the 2010 premier final, Kendall Lydon drained two clutch free throws with 0.1 left on the clock to beat O’Leary 74-72.
The first clash this season between the premier rivals was O’Leary’s 52-41 victory over the Skyhawks in the Dea final.
The Skyhawks also have a home game scheduled Wednesday against the Bev Facey Falcons (1-3) at 4:45 p.m.
Over the Christmas break the Skyhawks competed at the Cactus Jam Tournament in Phoenix. Results were unavailable at press time.
The Paul Kane Blues resume league play this week ranked eighth provincially in men’s and women’s 4A high school basketball.
Both teams are also undefeated in the metro Edmonton premier conference.
The lady Blues (3-0 premier; 6-0 overall) visit the St. Francis Xavier Rams (1-3) Tuesday. Tipoff is 4:45 p.m. On Wednesday they host the Salisbury Sabres (1-2) at 4:45 p.m.
In men’s hoops the Blues (4-0 premier; 6-1 overall) play the O’Leary Spartans (1-2) Wednesday at 6:15 p.m. at O’Leary High School.
In tournament action, both Paul Kane teams participated in the Surf and Slam San Diego Hoop Classic during the Christmas break. Results were unavailable at press time.
The annual Boston Pizza SAPEC Invitational Basketball Tournament starts 4 p.m. Thursday at the Sir George Simpson, Vincent J. Maloney, Lorne Akins and Ecole Sainte Marguerite d’Youville (ESSMY) schools.
The draw features 16 girls’ and 16 boys’ teams. Thursday’s results from the eight girls’ and eight boys’ games determines the A and B division brackets. The division finals are Saturday at ESSMY. Game times are 1 p.m. (B boys), 2:15 p.m. (B girls), 3:30 p.m. (A boys) and 4:45 p.m. (A girls).
