Lakers earn gold at 1A Boys Basketball Provincial tournament

By Garrett Simmons
Westwind Weekly News
 
It was a golden weekend for the Stirling Lakers.
The 2019 Alberta Schools Athletic Association 1A Boys Basketball Provincial hosts delighted the home crowd with a 66-42 win in the final over Coaldale Christian.
Stirling used a big 21-point first quarter to take a 40-21 lead into the half, as the Lakers cruised home from there to capture the provincial title.
Orin Smith led the victors with 19 points, as Treydon Barton added 15 and Parker Sillito hit for 12.
The Lakers were never challenged all weekend, as Stirling began play with a 92-67 win over St. Mary’s, and followed that up with a 71-49 win in the semifinals over Sexsmith.
Smith scored 29 against St. Mary’s, as Ryder Nelson (20), Ty Mazutinec (13) and Hunter Michelson (12) also hit double digits.
Smith’s 26 led the way against Sexsmith, as Nelson added 12 and Mazutinec chipped in with 11.
The Lakers girls almost made it a double gold weekend for Stirling, as the Lakers fell 66-61 in the final to Olds Koinonia.
Savannah McKee’s 28 points were not enough, as Olds Koinania’s Danya Sewell led all scorers with 32. Sadie Nelson replied with 17 for Stirling.
Stirling began play with a 77-58 over Menno Simons, and then defeated Grand Trunk 48-44 in a defensive battle in the semifinals.
McKee’s 45 points led all scorers in the Menno Simons contest, as Nelson had 17 and Halle Smith added 12.
McKee was held 14 against Grand Trunk, while Nelson added 13 and Kat Montague chipped in with 10. Smith connected on a trio of three-pointers to finish with nine.
It marks the second straight year the girls have earned a provincial medal, as the Lakers took gold last year.