Sports in brief: Linden Christian’s Jillian Duncan joins Wesmen basketball

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This article was published 23/04/2018 (2754 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Linden Christian’s Jillian Duncan joins Wesmen basketball

Jillian Duncan will make the jump to university basketball with the Wesmen this fall.

Duncan, a Grade 12 six-foot forward with the Linden Christian Wings basketball program, has committed her talents to the University of Winnipeg and coach Tanya McKay.

“I had other opportunities to play at other schools but really I just liked the atmosphere and the coaching staff (at U of W) so it was an easy decision to stay home,” Duncan said in statement.

Duncan, who averaged 26.6 points, 14.4 rebounds and 11 assists per game in her final year with the Wings at the AAA level, was also named female basketball player of the year by Basketball Manitoba.

“Jillian has been an incredible leader on my basketball team for the past three years,” said Linden Christian coach Jason Klassen in a statement. “As one of the best players I have ever coached in both skill and integrity, she has never compromised the values of fair play or teamwork despite a strong desire to win.

“All of us at Linden Christian School are extremely proud of Jillian and are excited to see what the future has for her as she plays for the Wesmen at the University of Winnipeg.”

Schepp, Alleyn help Canada’s basketball team to silver at Commonwealth Games

Canada’s men’s basketball team was bolstered by Bison brawn at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in its pursuit of a podium finish on Australia’s Gold Coast.

Canada finished second in the men’s tournament, falling 87-47 to host Australia in the final on April 15. It was the first Commonwealth Games basketball medal for Canada.

The team was coached to the gold-medal game by the University of Manitoba’s Kirby Schepp, who has been head coach of the Bisons for nine seasons.

Also on the roster was Justus Alleyn, a fifth-year Bisons guard, who graduates from the program this year. Alleyn played nearly 20 minutes for Team Canada in the final and posted seven points and two rebounds.

On the women’s side, Linden Wood’s Niyah Becker helped lead Canada to the bronze medal game where it was defeated by New Zealand, 74-58.

The 17-year-old forward played 28:29 minutes with Canada in the tournament, posting six points and seven rebounds over five games.

Banner year for Crusaders wrestling program

The St. Paul’s High School Crusaders wrestling program wrapped up the season with at least one new banner to hang in the gym.

On March 17, the Crusaders won the provincial men’s high school wrestling team championship hosted by the Manitoba Amateur Wrestling Association at Elmwood High School.

According to coach Mike Watson, 40 athletes competed in the provincial tournament. Earlier in the season, the team also won the Ed Meagher Sports Tournament in Montreal, Que., and placed second in the elite division of the Titan Classic in Regina.

Athletes Sam Pereira, Kyle Steeves and John Moncrieff also represented St. Paul’s at the U17/U19 Canadian Wrestling Championships in Edmonton, Alta. from April 13 to 15. Steeves earned a gold medal in the U19, 110-kilogram weight class.