The George McDougall Lady Mustangs didn’t make it easy on themselves, but still managed to earn a berth in the Alberta School’s Athletic Association’s basketball provincial tournament this weekend.
George Mac blew a 17-point third quarter lead and lost the South Central 3A Zone title game to the Holy Trinity Knights of Okotoks, in Olds, March 11. But the Mustangs capitalized on its second chance to enter provincials, as Quinn Diaz hit a three-pointer with nine seconds left in overtime to beat Brooks 63-60, in the silver medal game the next day.
The Mustangs opened provincials at home on March 17 (after press time) against Peace Wapiti Academy of Grande Prairie. If they win three straight games, they will play for the provincial championship at SAIT at 6 p.m., March 19.
“It too was a super close game, as both teams really wanted to win it,” said Mustang associate coach Ashley Van der Borgh after the zone silver medal victory.
“In the five minutes of overtime, we played hard and smart basketball, made some huge shots and tried to keep everything under control. Morgan Schultz made a huge three-pointer to tie it up 60-60, then Quinn, with her broken finger still, banked a three off the glass to seal the win. We were elated.”
It was the second win over Brooks in three days, after the Mustangs beat them, March 10. The team also beat the Springbank Phoenix, 78-69 in overtime in the Zones opener at George Mac, March 9.
Van der Borgh said the team would need to regroup this week, as it has played a lot of basketball in the past 10 days.
“We’ll definitely be making some adjustments on our press break and defense entering the provincial tournament,” she said. “It’s important to be prepared for everything. Fortunately we were given home court advantage for our first two games of the tournament.”
