The Innisfail Junior High Cyclones boys and girls team are Chinook's Edge Northern Athletic Association gold medal champions after defeating their opponents handily at the Innisfail Middle School gymnasium last week.
Both teams finished the season undefeated in league play during their journey to the Chinook's Edge Northern Athletic Association (CENAA) playoffs. The Cyclones boys' team defeated the Spring View Vikings 74-18 and the girls won their game against the Delburne Trojans 48-18.
James Thompson, coach of the Cyclones boys' team, has had an interesting journey to the Grade 9 league final.
In 2008, Thompson and a group of Grade 4 schoolboys sat in a circle at the Ecole John Wilson gymnasium and made a commitment to become the 2013-2014 Grade 9 league champions. Last week they did just that by shredding the Vikings in the title game with mostly the same core nucleus of players.
The game was dominated end to end by the Cyclones who overpowered, towered over, and out shot the Spruce View team that was made up of mostly Grade 7 students.
Jumping out to an early lead, the Cyclones never let go of the game leading 21-1 after the first quarter and 39-5 after the half. The Innisfail boys were aggressive, both on offense and defense, and repeatedly stopped the surging Vikings determined efforts to put points on the board.
Drives by the Vikings were stalled as the Cyclones strong defense stripped the ball away from the ball handlers or gathering up the rebounds left loose after missed shots.
Partway through the first quarter, the team play and skill of Innisfail was obvious as Austin Thompson dribbled towards the basket, hugged the out line and passed to Justin Woodruff, who sunk a short jumper as the Vikings struggled to follow the ball.
In the end, the heart of the Cyclones won out over the valiant Vikings team who played with great heart, attitude and focus despite the score.
“We knew we were going to lose, but we never lost control and did our best,” said Trevor Sanche, coach of the Spruce View Vikings.
Thompson was jubilant during the medal ceremony, hugging his players before hanging medals around their necks.
“We reached the goal we set five years ago to win the Grade 9 league final,” said Thompson. “I don't know where I will be next year, or where my players will be, but we all learned a valuable lesson.”
Meanwhile, the junior girls Cyclones were just as dominant in their win over the Delburne Vikings to claim the CENAA Gold medal.
The girls had clear court advantage in every area of the game with several key players contributing their strengths to the team.
Emily McCook used her height repeatedly to become an easy target for passes and rebound recovery under the hoops. She sunk second and third efforts to keep the score climbing.
Speedy Brooke Bilton and Brea Bryant contributed steals and hoops at key points throughout the game.
The Trojans struggled to score throughout the game. Down 15-0 at the end of the first quarter and 28-6 at the half with the junior Cyclones playing woman-to-woman defense that stifled the Trojan's offensive efforts.
Both teams traded baskets for the most exciting flurry of end-to-end action during the fourth quarter of play as missed shots created opportunities for the Trojans.
In the final frame of the game, the Cyclones were too much for the Trojans and they took the gold medal match by a wide margin.
Anna Duda, coach of the Vikings, was proud of her girls play in the gold medal game loss.
“We came in knowing we would lose, but every player played on the team,” said A Duda. “As a coach, I know the girls will never learn if you don't play against better players, and we did.”
Derek Baird, coach of the Cyclones, was pleased with his girls' efforts.
“We played very well and the girls are deserving CENAA champions. It has been a good season,” said Baird. “Next week we play against Rocky Mountain House and the Lindsay Thurber Raiders for the Central Western Alberta Junior High Athletic Association championship.”
