Wolves win again
Last weekend in Stettler marked the fourth tournament victory of the season for the Morinville Wolves.
The No. 6-ranked 3A men’s basketball team in the province was the heavy favourite against unfamiliar teams and the scores reflected the competition gap.
The fifth final in seven tournaments was 111-69 against St. Paul.
The Wolves were led by Jared Vokurka’s 22 points, Jacob Christensen’s 17 points and 13 rebounds and Matt Osunde’s 15 points, 17 assists and seven rebounds. Three players also scored in double digits.
The semifinal was 86-37 against Ponoka as Osunde recorded 21 points and six assists, Christensen produced 20 points and 15 rebounds and Russ Foisy added 16 points, six assists and five rebounds.
The first game was 81-38 against the No. 3-ranked 1A team from Ryley as Foisy’s 16 points and six assists and Christensen’s 15 points and seven rebounds did the most damage.
On tap next for the 17-4 Wolves is the North Central zone provincial qualifier March 13-14 in Athabasca.
Free throw winners
Youth hoopsters gave it their best shot at the St. Albert qualifier for the Knights of Columbus Basketball Free Throw Championships.
Sunday’s event at Ecole Secondaire Sainte Marguerite d’Youville featured 12 participants in five age divisions.
The following winners advance to the March 15 regional championships at St. Joseph High School.
Age 10: Chayton Parrke.
Age 11: Peter Wangler.
Age 12: Sammy Dean.
Age 13: Joshua Mah.
Age 14: Caleb Michale.
The competition was sponsored by Brother Anthony Council of St. Albert.
Lady Wolves results
The Morinville Wolves knocked off one of the top 3A women’s basketball teams in the province at the Wetaskiwin tournament last weekend.
The Wolves, ranked sixth in 3A, played a tough defensive game in beating No. 4-ranked W.R. Myers Rebels of Taber 50-40 in the opening game.
Jordan Hessell’s 21 points and 11 rebounds and Haley Deveau’s nine points and seven rebounds led the Wolves past last year’s 3A provincial finalists.
The semifinal was the 48-43 loss to the No. 8-ranked 3A Brooks Buffaloes.
The Wolves were plagued by fouls in the rough and tumble contest and rarely made it to the free throw line.
Deveau hit five three-pointers to pace the team.
The third-place game was against the No. 1-ranked 3A McCoy Colts of Medicine Hat and a 24-11 halftime lead turned into a 48-44 loss.
The Wolves left a bunch of points on the floor in the first half despite the 13-point advantage and in the second half the Colts busted loose with an 18-3 run to grab control of the contest.
The fourth quarter was closely fought, but the Wolves were unable to regain the momentum.
Nadi Cater was a spark plug defensively off the bench while chipping in with six points.
Hessell also contributed 11 points and 10 rebounds.
The Wolves are in Westlock this weekend to close out the tournament schedule.
Westlock is also hosting the North Central zone provincial qualifier March 13-14 and the Wolves are the two-time defending champions.
Last year’s 3A provincial consolation champions are 13-8 this season.
