Stirling Lakers boys and girls teams both earn 1A zone titles

Garrett Simmons
Westwind Weekly News

Stirling’s senior varsity basketball teams will have a shot at provincial glory this weekend.
Both the boys and girls Lakers teams were victorious at the 1A zone tournaments, and now prepare to face the best competition in the province.
The boys earned zone gold with an 87-63 win Saturday over J.T. Foster. Orin Smith exploded for 42 points in the win, as Ty Mazutinec added 14 and Parker Sillito had 10. Stirling built a huge 50-16 win at the half, before the team cruised home in the final two quarters.
The girls also had an easy time of it on the championship, as the Lakers dominated Foremost 85-53 in the final.
Stirling only led 35-26 at the half, before a huge 33-point third quarter put the game away for the Lakers.
Savannah McKee was all over the court Saturday, as the scoring sensation connected for 46 points in the win. Sadie Nelson added 16 and Kat Montague scored 13.
For the boys, the tournament run began Monday with an 86-41 win over Piikani. That was followed up by a 73-61 win last Wednesday over Senator Gershaw. Smith scored a team-high 29, while Mazutinec had 18 and Sillito added 15.
In Friday’s 78-59 win in the semifinals, over the top-ranked St. Mary’s Celtics, Smith led the way with 23, as Ryder Nelson added 20 and Mazutinec chipped in with 15.
Stirling’s girls team opened play last Wednesday with a 65-39 win over Noble Central. Sadie Nelson scored 24 and McKee chipped in with 12 in the victory.
That set up a Thursday semifinal game with Erle Rivers. The Lakers emerged with a tight 62-58 win, as McKee connected for 23, Montague added 14 and Gracie Nelson connected for 13.
Stirling’s teams now head to Central Alberta Christian High School in Lacombe for the 1A provincial tournaments.
The boys get a first round bye, and will play on Friday at 2:15 p.m. against the winner of the Parkland Immanuel Christian/Ecole la Rose Sauvage game Thursday at 4:15 p.m.
Should the Lakers win, Stirling would advance to the Friday semifinal at 8 p.m. The 1A boys provincial champion will be determined Saturday at 8 p.m.
The girls also have earned a first-round bye, as Stirling will play Friday at 10:45 a.m. against the winner of Thursday’s Parkland/Bassano School contest.
A win in that game would put the Lakers in the 6:15 p.m. semifinal later that day. The championship game is set for Saturday at 6 p.m.