The Briercrest junior varsity basketball teams played in their first PAC basketball championship since joining the ACAC in the 1996-97 this past weekend. The tournament was hosted by Saskatchewan Polytechnic Saskatoon March 10-11. The men won the bronze medal game while the women lost a tight bronze medal showdown.

Friday evening was the PAC basketball awards banquet where Briercrest was well represented.

Both teams were awarded the Sportsmanship award (women sharing it with Prairie College), Nicole Peterson and Taylor Mitchell were from the women’s team were both named league All-Stars and Briercrest women’s coach Jackie Senneker was named Coach of the Year alongside Saskatoon’s coach Kendra Worman.

The number three ranked men opened the tournament against Great Plains College Friday afternoon, winning 96-74.

“We had a great start, the guys went out and executed our game plan while shooting the lights out from long range going 18-for-26, courtesy of the splash cousins (Alex Linnell and Jesse Rask), and winning by 22,” said head coach Andrew Quiring after the game. “Alex Linnell finished with 28, Jesse Rask ended up draining nine from long range, ending the game with 27 and taking Player of the Game for Briercrest.” 

The men continued their weekend against number two ranked Millar College of the Bible in the championship semi-final, falling 85-80 and relegated to the bronze medal game.

“Our second game was hard fought, back and forth, the guys played great as a team, but Millar caught fire and held off a late comeback from Briercrest beating us by five and ending our championship run,” Coach Quiring explained. “Brendan Adrian took Player of the Game, grabbing the reigns, pulling in some huge boards, hitting big shots and throwing out some great assists.”

The men then ended their weekend with a 91-83 victory over Moose Jaw to win the bronze medal

“In our final game of the tourney we squared up against Moose Jaw for 3^rd,” Quiring said. “We came in playing great ball, passing to the open man and getting some great buckets. In the second half Moose Jaw pulled together and made a big run pulling away by 10. With less than four minutes left we went on our final push with a 17 point barrage from Jesse Rask, Alex Linnell and Aidan Yurkowski, winning by seven and taking third in PAC. Aidan Yurkowski was Briercrest's Player of the Game, hitting some huge shots in the final quarter as well as the game clinching offensive board, while having to guard PAC MVP for most of the game.”

The Briercrest women’s basketball team entered the tournament against number one ranked Prairie College, falling 48-29.

“Our first game against Prairie on Saturday morning was a hard fought battle,” head coach Jackie Senneker explained. “The girls were ready to play and came out pumped up. Our defence was strong throughout the entire game which helped contribute to the close score. Unfortunately, we really struggled with finishing our shots and just couldn't put the ball the in basket the way we had hoped. Denise Froese was named the Player of the Game.”

The women then faced Millar College of the Bible in the PAC bronze medal game.

“After a short 90 minute break from our first game we had to get right back at it and play Millar College,” Senneker explained. “It was a quick turn around and fatigue played a big role. I was so proud of how hard the girls worked and their relentless attitudes. It was a close game the whole way through but we unfortunately fell short losing the game by four points. The girls gave all they had and I couldn't have asked for a more valiant effort. Their attitudes and sportsmanship throughout the weekend were remarkable despite two tough (and close!) losses. It was a privilege to be their coach and to watch them grow and improve throughout the season. Morgan Patsack was named Player of the Game against Millar.”

For up to date information on the Briercrest JV basketball teams and Briercrest Athletics, “like” us on Facebook or at gobriercrest.ca.