2024 ACAC Basketball Final Four gets underway
Lakeland basketball is once again on the precipice of cumulative greatness this evening, with the ACAC Final Four kicking off at 6:00 PM.
Both the men's and women's squads are taking part in this year's semifinal round, with Sheray Thomas' guys up in Fort McMurray and Chris King's gals down in Calgary. This is the third time since 2018 that both teams have made the Final Four, which has resulted in a women's title and a silver and bronze for the men.
Executing when it counts
Despite dealing with injuries and players gone before Christmas, the men have had a spectacular season, winning eight straight games in the first semester and coming close to knocking off nationally ranked opponents in the second. On numerous occasions, the Rustlers had to come from behind in the fourth quarter, hitting big shots and making great defensive plays. Currently, they are on a three-game streak, having won their final two regular seasons games and their quarterfinal matchup against the Wolves last weekend, an absolute thriller in the Border City.
Baha Salma, who won Player of the Game last Saturday, said the group takes pride in finishing top two in the North Division and feel they belong in this pool of teams.
"We're ranked number 14 in the country and we can take anyone," he said.
Salma was named 2nd Team All-Conference in the North Division, while teammate Andre McFadden made 1st Team, finishing fifth in points per game in the ACAC.
The Rustlers face the St. Mary's Lightning at 6:00 PM, a team that made it's first trip to the CCAA Championship last year by defeating Lakeland in the quarterfinals. St. Mary's has dropped just two games and have two of the best players in the country.
Coach Thomas stressed the key to the matchup will be keeping the Lightning out of transition, while pushing and controlling tempo.
"We'll have to hits shots and try to limit their all-star players," Thomas said. "Game two we'll see who we play."
All roads lead back to Lloydminster
Women's basketball are trying to pull off a once-in-a-lifetime feat, an undefeated season that culminates at home. Two years ago, they defeated all ACAC opponents through regular season and playoff action, before losing in the quarterfinal round at nationals and having to settle for bronze. Now, instead of a Conference Championship at home, they will host a National Championship and all the pressure that comes with it.
The Rustlers unbeaten streak is now at 21 games, after they dealt with a feisty Keyano Huskies squad at the Lakeland Gym on Saturday. Post Leena Garda is out for the playoffs with a foot injury, but the rest of the rotation is intact for this stretch run. The team had a point differential of 514 heading into the postseason, with only one result ending in less than a double digit victory.
Hineaupounamu "Missy" Nuku, Lakeland's rookie phenom, has been arguably the best player in the country, leading the ACAC in assists while being able to score as well as anyone when the moment calls for it. She was named to the North Division 1st Team, as well as awarded the Rookie of the Year and North Division Player of the Year awards. Nuku is the third female MVP in King's tenure, following Cameo McKerlie in 2016 and Tori Dugan in 2022, both seasons where the Rustlers hosted the ACAC Championship.
Second year Susan Ayaa has also had a breakout season and was voted to the 2ndTeam. She and Nuku are then supported by a plethora of quality players, including three fifth year graduates and three former All-Conference selections. King meanwhile won his sixth Coach of the Year award in the North Division.
In order to achieve a fairytale ending to another magical season, the women need two more wins before they gear up for the CCAA Championship. This ACAC semifinal matchup at 8:30 PM pits them against the Briercrest Clippers, an upstart team that defeated the South's top team Lethbridge on the road. Briercrest does have playoff experience however, having won ACAC bronze last year in their first trip to the playoff tournament.
While the Rustlers have their ticket to Nationals booked as the hosts and they have the confidence of having faced the Clippers three times already this season, Coach King said his team has prepared diligently for the matchup.
"Their style of play is getting stronger and they beat a really good Lethbridge team, so we'll have to keep them at bay and defend really well," he said. "That's been our goal for the entire second semester."
"Four good teams left, anyone can win any game, so we're excited to be there."
Tune in to watch either semifinal game on ACACTV