Clippers Stun Red Deer With Strong Defensive Effort

By Jeff Misener

In ACAC women's basketball action, the Briercrest Clippers (8-7) hosted the south division-leading Red Deer Polytechnic Queens (15-1). The Clippers delivered a dominant effort in all facets of the game as they recorded a surprise 71-63 upset.

Red Deer's Janai Hubert and Jayden Demchuk rippled the twine early, but the home team fed an unguarded Hope Jordens in the paint and Madison Beattie splashed a three. Beattie and Red Deer's Heena Sidhu traded triples as both teams exuded conviction on their offensive forays. On successive possessions, Briercrest's Amber Fichtner and Asia Wells muscled inside for scores. Even though both teams exerted considerable defensive pressure, scoring opportunities abounded.

Fichtner continued to ask questions of the Red Deer forwards and defensive pressure by the Clippers led to a pair of open threes from Beattie. The Queens responded by getting to the charity stripe. Briercrest's Melissa Ellis converted from downtown while Wells and Claire Daubenfeld made good on ventures inside as the hosts forged a halftime lead.

A Euro step from Briercrest speedster Dori Sunderland and a lovely teardrop from Ellis signalled the Clippers' confident resolve to open the second half. Even though Hubert and Queens' guard Sandra Garcia scored at the rim and Briercrest's Brooklyn Martens matched their efforts, the defenses of both teams dictated the balance of play.

Opening the final period, Wells fed a wide open Jordens in the paint. Red Deer's Lauren France hit from distance in the face of a Briercrest defender before Wells made a pair of free throws and Ellis banked in a trey. A savvy steal and score by Garcia led to another long three from Beattie and a pair of buckets by Martens. The Queens probed the interior of Briercrest's defense but lacked the finishing touch they needed. Meanwhile, Briercrest showed composure down the stretch, securing an emphatic win.

Player of the Game for the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens was Sandra Garcia, whose huge effort included 14 points, 10 rebounds and three assists. Briercrest's POG was Madison Beattie on the strength of a game-high 16 points (5-8 from three), six boards, and three dimes. Briercrest guard Dori Sunderland was honoured postgame for becoming the Clippers' all-time leader in both assists and steals.