2019 Rustlers WBB Season Recap

The 2018-2019 season was one for the record books for the Lakeland Rustlers women's basketball team. The team would finish atop the ACAC north division standings with a 17-7 record and earn a bronze medal at the ACAC Women's Basketball Championships.

The Rustlers started the season with an exciting win, defeating the NAIT Ooks by 1 in the season opener. After starting the season with a win, the Rustlers would struggle over their next three games, sitting with a 1-3 record after two weeks of play.

The struggles continued for the Rustlers, as they would split their weekend series against the Concordia Thunder and the Keyano Huskies. The Rustlers would finish off the first semester with four straight wins, giving them a 7-5 record, good for 3rd in the ACAC north division after the first semester.

The second semester would be an important one for the Rustlers, as there would be five teams fighting for a playoff spot down to the final game. The Rustlers first two weekends saw them face the Concordia Thunder and Keyano Huskies, both who the Rustlers split with in the first semester. The teams would once again split the series in the second semester, but the Rustlers would earn the head-to-head advantage.

Following the loss to the Keyano Huskies on January 19th, the Rustlers would close out the regular season with 8 straight wins, sweeping the Grande Prairie Wolves, King's University Eagles, NAIT Ooks and University of Alberta – Augustana Vikings. The 10-2 second-semester record was the best in the north division, giving the Rustlers a 17-7 record for the season, securing them the #1 seed at championships.

The Rustlers traveled to Fort McMurray for the ACAC Women's Basketball Championships, being held at Keyano College from February 28 – March 2. In their quarter-final matchup, the #1 seeded Rustlers faced the St. Mary's Lightning, the #4 seed in the south division. The Rustlers controlled the game from the opening tip, leading 40-9 at the half, on the way to the 67-44 win.

Friday's semi-final would have the Rustlers facing the #2 south seed Olds College Broncos, with the winner earning a trip to the ACAC championship game and CCAA Women's Basketball Championships. The Broncos would jump out to an early lead, doubling up the Rustlers 18-9 in the 1st quarter. The 2nd quarter was all Lakeland, as they held Olds to just 8 points and trailed 26-25 at the half. The teams would go back and forth in the 2nd half, with the energy and intensity increasing with every possession. The Rustlers fell behind by 9 in the 4th quarter, a deficit that they could not come back from, losing 60-51.

The bronze medal game would be a test of character for the Rustlers, as they would face the University of Alberta – Augustana Vikings, a team whom they had just defeated a week before. The Rustlers got out to a lead early, and despite several runs made by the Vikings, the Rustlers would not let the bronze medal slip out of their hands. When the final buzzer sounded, it was the Rustlers who would come out on top with a 56-46 win, earning the first medal in Rustlers women's basketball program history.

Several members of the Rustlers were recognized for their play, both in the regular season and in the ACAC championships over the weekend. Before the championships starting, second-year guard Kaitlyn Tonita was named an ACAC north division first-team all-conference selection for her play during the regular season. Tonita led the Rustlers, averaging 9.8 points per game while playing 26.3 minutes. Kaitlyn showed her all-around versatility adding 5.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.1 steals per game. In addition to her regular season award, Tonita was also named to the tournament all-star team at the ACAC championships. 2nd year guard Hailey Somers was also named to the tournament all-star team.

Following the season, Rustlers head coach Chris King spoke about the season had by his team.

"This team grew as the season went on," King said. "They improved with each week and were playing at the top of their game heading into playoffs. Every game was like a playoff game for us in second semester because of how tight the north division was and how we had done in the first semester. We didn't come away with the colour of medal that we wanted from provincials, but we responded well Saturday, bouncing back after Friday's semi-final loss to earn the first medal in program history."

The Rustlers look to use the experience gained from this year's semi-final loss and bronze medal win, as they aim to take the step towards the championship game next season. With a solid group of returning players and a good recruiting class, the expectations will once again be high for the Rustlers next season.