SPORTS FLASHBACK 2000: Steinbach Knights stopped in Wesmen Classic final
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The Steinbach Junior High Knights turned in a superb performance, only to lose the final game of the Wesmen Classic Junior High Basketball Tournament by five points at the University of Winnipeg Duckworth Centre last week.
According to coach Glenn Hiebert, finishing second in a 16-team draw made up of the best grade nine boys’ teams in the province was a great accomplishment for the Knights.
“The only disappointment was that they led in the final most of the game, only to let it slip through their fingers, losing 47-42 to John Pritchard in the championship game.”
The Knights opened the tournament against Jeanne Sauve and defeated their future Cloverleaf rivals 62-35. Everyone was involved in the scoring, highlighted by Bucky Driedger and Paul Beckman, scoring 10 points apiece.
In the quarterfinals, Steinbach ran over Selkirk 77-31. All players were once again involved in the scoring, led by Marcus Gwodz with 16 points, while Eric Sung and Derek Witty added 10 apiece.
The semi-final looked bleak for the Knights in the early going, as they fell behind a strong Charleswood squad 17-4 in the first quarter. Then Steinbach turned it up a notch in the second and third quarters to take the lead, and then ran away with it in the fourth, winning 71-53. Justin Palmer scored 20 points in the victory.
In the final game last Tuesday, the Knights jumped to an 11-7 first quarter lead and carried a 21-16 advantage into the half. Their coach said the Knights played a great first half of basketball, especially on defence.
In the second half, the Knights continued to have trouble scoring and the great defence they played in the first half subsided somewhat. But the Knights still held a narrow lead at the end of the third quarter, 32-31. Steinbach came out flying early in the fourth and quickly widened their lead to 38-31.
John Pritchard rallied and took their first lead with only minutes to go and held on for a 47-42 victory.
Paul Dueck and Justin Palmer each had eight points to lead the Knights in the scoring department. Paul Dueck was also named a tournament all-star.
The Knights roster is comprised of Paul Beckman, Bucky Driedger, Paul Dueck, Ryan Dueck, Arthur Flores, Marcus Gwodz, Alexander Graham, Jared Lepp, Kenny Penner, Justin Palmer, Eric Sung, Derek Witty and Dale Butland.