Starting at 3:15 p.m. Thursday, the 21st annual Optimist Showdown in St. Albert basketball tournament rattles the rim at St. Albert Catholic, Bellerose, Paul Kane and Morinville high schools.
The opening day winners advance into the championship bracket and the losing teams compete in the consolation round.
Play resumes Friday at 9:15 a.m. and Saturday at 9 a.m. Saturday’s finals are 6:15 p.m. at St. Albert High (women’s championship), Bellerose (men’s championship), Paul Kane (men’s consolation) and Morinville (women’s consolation).
The St. Albert Skyhawks are the defending women’s champions. The Scona Lords are not returning to defend their men’s title.
The 16-team women’s line-up includes the Skyhawks (2010 3A provincial gold medallists and metro Edmonton premier champions are ranked first this year in 3A; 6-1 in premier and 9-7 overall), Paul Kane Blues (ranked eighth in 4A; 5-1 in premier and 9-3 overall), Bellerose Bulldogs (2-3 city conference record) and Morinville Wolves. If the draw goes according to plan, the Skyhawks and Paul Kane will meet in the final.
Among the 16 men’s teams are the Skyhawks (2-3 city conference record), Paul Kane (ranked eighth in 4A; 5-1 in premier and 9-6 overall), Bellerose (2-3 city conference record), Morinville and Sturgeon Spirits (4A honourable mention; 4-1 in premier).
Thursday’s game times are as follows.
St. Albert Catholic
3:15 p.m. women: Skyhawks vs. Daysland Darls.
5 p.m. men: Skyhawks vs. Edmonton Christian Lions.
6:45 p.m. women: Edwin Parr Angels of Athabasca vs. Leduc Tigers.
8:30 p.m. men: St. Francis Xavier Rams vs. Edwin Parr.
Bellerose
3:15 p.m. women: Bellerose vs. St. Francis Xavier.
5 p.m. men: Bellerose vs. J. Percy Page Panthers.
6:45 p.m. women: St. Thomas Aquinas Thunder of Spruce Grove vs. Camrose Trojans.
8:30 p.m. men: Camrose vs. Grande Prairie Tomahawks.
Paul Kane
3:15 p.m. women: Paul Kane vs. J. Percy Page.
5 p.m. men: Paul Kane vs. St. Thomas Aquinas.
6:45 p.m. women: Beaumont Bandits vs. Edmonton Christian.
8:30 p.m. men: Beaumont vs. Wetaskiwin Sabres.
Morinville
3:15 p.m. women: Morinville vs. Wetaskiwin.
5 p.m. men: Morinville vs. Archbishop Jordan Scots.
6:45 p.m. women: Grande Prairie vs. Archbishop Jordan.
8:30 p.m. men: Sturgeon Spirits vs. Spruce Grove Panthers.
