The Olds College Broncos women's varsity basketball team capped off its second-straight undefeated season – and third Alberta Colleges Athletic League championship in a row – with a 64-52 victory over their junior counterparts Saturday at the Ralph Klein Centre.
The varsity squad came into the playoff tournament with a perfect 11-0 regular season, including three victories over the JV squad. They made to the final with a convincing 93-41 victory over the Millar College of the Bible Edge.
In the championship game, the varsity squad jumped out to a seven-point advantage after 10 minutes of play, 19-12, before extending the lead to 13 at the half, 35-22. The varsity squad then took control of the game in the third quarter, leading by 26, 57-31. The junior squad made a valiant effort of it in the final quarter, outscoring the varsity squad 21-7 but falling short in the end.
Zorica Djordevic got 17 points for the varsity squad in the win while LeanneMiller performed well for the JV squad, scoring 17 points as well.
Following the victory, varsity coach Jen Donofrio said all the players on the team put extensive effort into the three-peat by all their hard work. She also credited Reg Carrick, one of last year's coaches, with a job recruiting for the team.
“It's pretty neat (to win). It's a great feeling,” she said.
Donofrio also credited the JV team with an excellent effort, and said finishing in the gold and silver positions bodes well for women's basketball at the college.
“They're so competitive,” she said.
Three members of the winning squad that also won the banner last year said it was a total team effort all season long. Tracy Frimpong said everyone bought into the team concept all year long.
“It feels really good that all our hard work paid off. We won it as a team,” she said.
Kat Couperus echoed that sentiment.
“It was a tough season but our team has a lot of heart,” she said.
For Laura Clark Favel, the championship was especially good since she sat out last season due to injury.
“It was amazing to come play with the girls this year,” she said.
Frimpong said although this victory is good, the hard work now starts in preparation for an expected jump up to the much more competitive Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference, which the varsity team is expected to join for next season.
Alla Shchepotkina, the JV coach, said she thought her squad played well in the final, giving it their best. She was especially happy with the team's performance in it's last regular season game and preliminary 72-54 victory over the Prairie Bible Institute Pilots to get to the final.
The JV squad came into the tournament ranked number 2 with an 8-5 record.
“I'm really happy for the first team,” she said.
"It feels really good that all our hard work paid off. We won it as a team."Tracy Frimpong, member, Olds College Broncos women's basketball team
