Trojans, Reivers leave no doubt

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This article was published 24/03/2025 (203 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

There wasn’t a program in the province that could say it had the Dakota Lancers’ number in the last four years.

The Vincent Massey Trojans earned the right to make that claim Monday.

A sensational defensive effort spurred the Trojans’ to the dethroning of the three-time reigning champion Lancers in convincing fashion 76-44 in the Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association provincial women’s varsity basketball final at Investors Group Athletic Centre.

The Lancers were on the losing end of three contests to Manitoba-based schools this season. All three were to Vincent Massey.

“Perfect ending,” said Massey’s Grade 12 guard Lilly Vande Graaf, who was named the provincial tournament’s Most Valuable Player after scoring a game-high 19 points.

“Repeatedly in our dressing room has been, ‘Defence wins championships,’ and I think that really took us all the way today. Also, something I really pride myself on in my game is defence, and when I can’t get anything going on offence, I turn to the defensive end and that’s what fuels me. I think that was a huge part of us today.”

Trojans forward Emma Yard put forth a 17-point effort that included two three-pointers, along with three rebounds and three blocks, while forward Uloma Isinguzo supplied a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds on a night she was a force in the paint.

It’s Vincent Massey’s first provincial title since 2014.

“This team is talented, and… they love each other. They’re willing to hang out together, they help each other on the court, off the court, they just will do anything for each other,” said head coach Stacy Hawash.

Jennifer Edwards, who formed a dynamic back-court with Vande Graaf this season, chipped in with 12 points, seven rebounds and three steals.

The Trojans attack was deep on this night, as four starters found their way into double-digits in scoring while getting 12 points off the bench.

“Our teamwork is just crazy this year,” said Edwards. “I’ve never had a team that we’ve played more together and trusted each other and encouraged each other. It’s just a great feeling, and I think that was really what helped us win.”

As for the Lancers, their quest for the record of consecutive provincial championships comes up one short. Dakota had to grind for every point against a Massey defence that pressures its opponents baseline to baseline with a vaunted 1-3-1 full-court press.

Vincent Massey never trailed in the contest, running out to a commanding 21-9 lead after the first quarter as the Lancers struggled to overcome the full-court press. Dakota cut the deficit to 29-19 going into half time, but the offence didn’t come easier out of the break. The Lancers were held to nine points in the third frame and trailed 50-28 going into the final quarter.

Forward Emilie McLean paced the Lancers’ offence with a double-double on the strength of 13 points and 12 rebounds while adding four blocks. Guard Meeyah Greaves came alive in the fourth quarter to finish with 13 points, while star guard Taylor Schepp was tightly guarded and mustered 12 points.

“They made our two top guards work really hard,” said Lancers head coach Eric Sung. “ Lilly’s length and athletic ability, and Jenn’s length and athletic ability — she plays so much bigger than she actually is and it makes really tough to even pass around, to get around, and they’re just throwing a lot of people at us.

“We’re not a hard scout. The actions are going through our kids and if you’re gonna load up on us, it’s going be tough for us to score.”

Kildonan-East 67, Dakota 52

In the men’s final, the Kildonan-East Reivers capped a perfect 23-0 season against Manitoba competition by defeating the Dakota Lancers 67-52 to claim the second provincial title in the school’s history and the first since 1990.

Forward Settimo Yugu led the offensive attack with 20 points and nine rebounds, while adding a pair of steals and one block on the defensive end. Yugu was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

The Reivers spread the wealth on offence, as every starter recorded at least six points. Guard Rushawn Martin supplied 11 points and six rebounds, while forward Terry Ogbeide was tough to deal with on the interior, chipping in with six points and eight rebounds.

Aiden Walker and Jean Dusimimana provided seven and nine points, respectively, off the bench.

The Lancers led 19-17 after the first quarter but wouldn’t lead again as the Reivers carried a 34-22 advantage into the locker room and a 51-35 lead into the fourth quarter.

Lancers Grade 10 guard Daniel Rom scored a game-high 22 points, but Dakota struggled to get much secondary scoring against a tough Reivers defence. Lucas Pujnate had seven points and four rebounds.

joshua.frey-sam@freepress.mb.ca