2019 ACAC Women's Basketball Championship Recap
by ACAC Sports Writer Curtis J. Phillips
The home team Keyano College Huskies and their opponent Olds College Broncos had already punched their ticket to the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Women's Basketball Championships to be held Mar. 13-16, 2019 in Sainte-Foy, QC and hosted by Cégep de Sainte-Foy RSEQ.
But there are bragging rights to having the 2018-2019 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Women's Basketball gold medal placed around your neck and the banner placed in the gymnasium.
Olds already had their women's hoops title from 2012-2013.
The Broncos had advanced to the final of the three-day 11-game tournament by defeating the NAIT Ooks in their quarterfinal Thursday 55-46 and then the Lakeland College Rustlers 60-51 in the semi-final Friday evening.
The Huskies, in front of more than 600 fans, beat the Lethbridge Kodiaks 75-57 in their opener and the University of Alberta Augustana Vikings 55-42 in the semi-final.
For the Huskies to win they would have to stop ACAC Women's Player of the Year No. 22 Brittney Thibeaux.
The Lake Villa, Illinois 4th year forward has led the ACAC in scoring the last two years (27.2 ppg 2018-2019, 25.2 ppg 2017-2018).
She not only scores but is always near the top of statistics for rebounds and steals.
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| Brittney Thibeaux Olds College Broncos |
An All-Around performer for the Olds Broncos.
It was tip off time at the Syncrude Sport & Wellness Centre's Canadian Natural Gymnasium located in Fort McMurray, Alberta.
An errant elbow by Keyano Huskies' star centre Moiyan Toure on a turnaround shot, accidently smacks Thibeaux in the face and Thibeaux has to head to the bench with only 30 seconds expired in the game.
Tough as nails she comes back in after a minute rest.
It is evident early in the game that it will be an inside game for the Broncos and an outside game for the Huskies.
After one period the Broncos lead 16-14. A pesky Broncos defense has forced the Huskies into seven turnovers.
The Broncos are led by Kristina Bajovic who scores six of her game high 18 points. The Belgrade native possess one of the best picture perfect jump shots - men or women - in the ACAC.
Olds heads into the locker room up 28-27.
Huskies have kept close thanks to their free throws hitting 8-of-10 from free throw line while the
The second half is a physical one with Thibeaux drawing her fourth foul near the end of the period.
With 78 seconds on clock Huskies up the game Thibeaux catches an inbound pass and on fade away jumper scores and is fouled.
Her additional free throw gives Olds a 51-49 lead.
With multiple players covering Thibeaux underneath she dishes to Alli Taylor 53-49 to possibly put the nail in the coffin with 47 seconds remaining.
Lots of scrambling the ball like a pinball machine bouncing off players and Huskies Aliyah Johnson scores with 20 seconds remaining.
A Bajovic free throw with six seconds left gives the Broncos a three point lead 54-51 and Huskies three at the buzzer falls short.
It is a golden moment for Olds head coach Avery Harrison.
In retrospect it was the second golden moment of the 2018-2019 tournament as after the Huskies semi-final victory head coach Dwayne Vigilance dashed across the court to embrace his father Compton Vigilance on the sideline. Both have been leaders of local sports for decades.
"It was a coin flip and both teams played well," said Olds coach Avery Harrison, this being his fourth team to appear at the CCAA championships having guided SAIT, Mount Royal and Lethbridge previously. "Both teams have good guard play and dominant bigs."
"Keyano played a heck of a game. We made some mistakes in the final quarter and at nationals we can't do that. We will have to play consistent for 40 minutes."
For Vigilance's gesture with his father.
"First of all it was natural because it is my dad," said Vigilance. "I wouldn't be here without his support. He is the reason I became involved in basketball and he was the first head coach for this program."
Of the silver medal finish: "Naturally I was disappointed. We didn't finish the job but at the same time I am excited that we are going to nationals and very proud of what we accomplished this year. There was a lot of pressure being in that final game and the kids dug in and battled through some adversity."
The bronze medal went to Lakeland defeating Augustana 56-46. Game report.
Thibeaux was named tournament MVP and awarded a golden coloured basketball autographed by former Canadian Men's and Women Basketball Olympians and donated by the Canadian National Basketball Teams Alumni Association.
First Team
Moiyan Toure, Keyano Huskies
Aliyah Johnson, Keyano Huskies
Kristina Bajovic, Olds Broncos
Kyla Adams, Olds Broncos
Kaitlyn Tonita, Lakeland Rustlers
Second Team
Hailey Sommers, Lakeland Rustlers
Jessica Haenni, University of Alberta Augustana Vikings
Alyssa Banez University of Alberta Augustana Vikings
Emily Wagner, St. Mary's University Lightning
Kendell Kuntz, Medicine Hat Rattlers.