Leduc Tigers Advance to Provincials

The Leduc Comp Boys’ started the 3A playoffs on Tuesday March 5th when they hosted the Eastglen Blue Devils. The Leduc Tigers were ranked 3rd for playoff purposes. The game pitted two very quick teams and an excellent display of outside shooting. The lead would change over a dozen different times and was tied a multiple of times. 
    With the Tigers leading 13 to 12 mid way through the first quarter Eastglen hit for ten quick points only to see Leduc hit three threes in a row to bring the game within two at the end of the quarter. The Blue Devils were able to take a narrow 50 to 47 advantage into halftime. Some defensive lapses by both teams saw the second half become a shooter’s paradise. 
    With 4.2 seconds remaining the Tigers were able to knock down a three pointer to tie the game at 92 and sent the contest into extra time. In the overtime Eastglen took the lead and forced Leduc to send the Blue Devils to the foul line where they hit on five of six shots to upset Leduc 107 to 103 for the victory.
    Because the Edmonton Zone was awarded, in the 3A division, wildcard slots in both the boys and girls the zone tournament used a double elimination format. This gave the Tigers another opportunity to qualify for the provincials.
    Leduc took full advantage of their opportunity and in their second game against the St. Peter’s Spartans from Spruce Grove on Wednesday, March 6th. The Tigers came out strong and had little difficulty in mauling the Spartans 97 to 58. In their third game they faced the Louis St Laurent Barons on Thursday March 7th and won 89 to 80. Their next opponent was the Holy Trinity Trojans with the game being played on Friday March 8th. The Tiger had a much easier time against the Trojans as they roared to an 83 to 49 drubbing of Holy Trinity.
    On Saturday March 9th the Tigers took to the floor for the fifth time in five days in a winner take all contest against the #2 ranked St Albert Skyhawks. Win and the team was off to the provincials, lose and a successful season would come to an end. The game was played in the Skyhawk nest at St Albert and when it was over nothing but feathers could be seen of the Skyhawks as the Tigers had won a thrilling 71 to 67 victory and now advance to the provincial championships in Spruce Grove this weekend.
    In girls action the Leduc Comp girls’ were ranked 8th and had to travel to the ASAA’s #1 ranked St Albert Skyhawks for their first game. The Skyhawks completely overpowered Leduc and advanced to the Zone semifinals. Meanwhile the Lady Tigers second game was against the Holy Trinity Trojans, which they defeated 56 to 45. Unfortunately the Leduc Tigers’ season came to an end when the Louis St Laurent Barons defeated them 53 to 43.