OLDS — The Olds Koinonia Christian School (OKCS) Royals senior girls basketball team came within one point of winning the 1A provincials, which they hosted March 20 - 22.
The Royals had to settle for silver on Saturday night after being edged 50-49 by Coalhurst. That marked the second year in a row that the Royals received silver.
It was an intensely exciting tournament for the Royals, full of ups and downs.
The Royals opened the tournament Thursday with a game against the Grand Trunk Grizzlies, winning that game 59-28.
“All the players got lots of playing time, which was a fantastic opportunity,” Royals head coach Diane Sewell wrote in an email.
Grade 11 student Marielle Padiernos was named the player of the game and Grade 12 student Courtney Sewell received the sportsmanship pin.
On Friday night they faced the Bawlf Wildcats in the semi-finals.
That game was played in front of a huge crowd, which Sewell said was “exciting” for the Royals.
Right after the initial tip-off, the Wildcats went on the offence and piled up an 8-0 lead in just a few minutes.
“We had a slow start,” Sewell wrote. “The girls kind of got panicky and made some bad decisions.
“But after a timeout, they began to settle into the game and slowly started to pull ahead.”
They ended up winning that game 65-49.
Sewell credited the Royals’ strong defence and good teamwork for that win.
Grade 10 student Kora Kinnear was named the player of the that game. The sportsmanship pin went to Grade 11 student Elyana King.
That win propelled the Royals into the gold medal game Saturday night against Coalhurst from the south zone.
Once again, the gym was packed.
“The noise was electrifying,” Sewell wrote.
The Royals came out hot and built up a 12-0 lead.
However, Sewell said, they knew that lead wouldn't hold for long.
Sure enough, Coalhurst came back halfway through the first period.
From then on, the game went back and forth.
With just over a minute left in the game, the Royals found themselves down by six points.
After a time-out, they got a couple of quick buckets and a free throw.
However, Coalhurst prevailed 50-49.
“It was a very exciting, well-played game by both sides,” Sewell wrote.
“It was a heartbreaking loss for the Royals, but the love of their fans was so appreciated,” she added.
Courtney Sewell was named the player of the game and Grade 11 student Grace Killam received the sportsmanship pin.
Sewell was thrilled with the way so many residents volunteered to make the tournament a great success and/or came out to support the team during their games.
‘Words cannot express my gratitude for the amazing show of support by our sponsors and our fantastic volunteer committees,” Sewell wrote.
“It took an ‘entire village’ to put on this huge event.
“From the banquet hosted by Home Church to the opening ceremonies, complete with glow sticks, a fog machine, spotlights and music, to the wonderful concession hosted by many volunteers, OKCS tried to make many memorable moments for the athletes and fans.”
Sewell said many people from across the province expressed their appreciation for it.
