Big Valley boys won the junior boys’ high school basketball championship for Clearview Athletic and Recreation Association (CARA) while Theresetta Catholic School of Castor won the girls’ title last weekend.
Both junior girls’ and boys’ teams of Stettler placed second in the tournament.
With just six players and many with a height disadvantage, Big Valley beat William E. Hay Wildcats 54-42 in the championship final, reported Big Valley coach Dave McCann.
“Our shorter boys played big – with their hearts and they did that all season,” said coach McCann.
“It isn’t about physical size in basketball and sports.”
Playing in the final, the Big Valley line-up included two Grade-6 players and two in Grade-8, said McCann.
Brownfield finished third in the tournament.
Donalda edged Mother Teresa Catholic School of Halkirk 51-48 to finish fifth in another thrilling game Saturday.
Big Valley, William E. Hay, Brownfield, and Halkirk advance to central Alberta finals with the 1J tournament hosted at Coronation later this month.
Theresetta edged the Wildcats 51-46 in the girls’ final at Stettler Elementary School.
“I was proud of the girls’ intensity in the final and throughout the tournament,” said Theresetta coach Richard Ries.
“It was a great team effort and a long journey from the start of the season.”
Theresetta advances to the Central Western Junior High Athletic Association
“It was a good competitive game,” said Graham Scott, coach of William E. Hay Wildcats.
“I was proud of how the girls adjusted to different styles of play.”
Coronation finished third in the girls’ tournament.
Theresetta, William E. Hay and Coronation now advance to central Alberta championships according to the classification by the number of students, said Don Seale, one of the main organizers.