(Calgary, Alta.) The Edmonton Inferno seized the national crown with a 56-46 victory over the Calgary Rollers Sunday at the 2015 Canadian Wheelchair Basketball League (CWBL) Women’s National Championship at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alta. Team Saskatchewan reached the podium for the first time at the event with a win in the bronze medal game over Quebec.
The win marked the eighth national championship club title for the Inferno in team history.
“Calgary is definitely one of our rivals and it’s always a back-and-forth game against them that is mentally and physically intense,” said Edmonton Inferno player Arinn Young, of Legal, Alta. “It was a great championship game for both teams. We pushed really hard and we came out on top against a great opponent.”
It was a great championship game for both teams. We pushed really hard and we came out on top against a great opponent.
The Rollers and Inferno set a vigorous tempo in the opening quarter, before Edmonton outscored Calgary 12-6 in the second frame to widen the narrow gap on the scoreboard. The Inferno held the 28-21 advantage at the break. Calgary battled to erase the deficit but the Inferno kept pace and secured the win. Young was once again a powerhouse for the Inferno, tallying a team-high 24 points. Diane Sorenson got the offense rolling for Calgary, scoring a team best 20 points.
Team Saskatchewan claimed the bronze medal after defeating Quebec 70-49. Saskatchewan captured the momentum early and converted on its offensive opportunities, including an 18-1 run to take the lead while Quebec struggled to find its rhythm. Precision shooting was the difference, as Saskatchewan shot 53.2 per cent from the field compared to 31.3 per cent for Quebec. Shelby Harrower led Team Saskatchewan with 27 points. Cindy Ouellet produced 18 points for the Quebec side.
The B.C. Breakers (0-4) placed fifth at the tournament after round robin play concluded on Saturday.
Kendra Ohama, of the Calgary Rollers, was selected as the tournament’s most valuable player. Jamey Jewells (Calgary Rollers), Alarissa Haak (Edmonton Inferno), Amanda Yan (B.C. Breakers), Cindy Ouellet (Quebec), and Arinn Young (Edmonton Inferno) were named to the all-star team.
About the Canadian Wheelchair Basketball League
The Canadian Wheelchair Basketball League (CWBL) was founded in 1986 and has two primary divisions: the Open division and the Women’s division. The league features wheelchair basketball club teams from across Canada and culminates each season with a national championship for both the Open and Women’s divisions.
The league is fully integrated as both divisions welcome athletes with a disability as well as able-bodied athletes to play in the spirit of competition. It often features some of the country’s best wheelchair basketball players, including past, present and future members of Team Canada.
About Wheelchair Basketball Canada
Wheelchair Basketball Canada is the national sports governing body responsible for the organization of the sport in Canada. It is a non-profit, charitable organization that is committed to excellence in the development, support and promotion of wheelchair basketball programs and services for all Canadians from grassroots to high performance. Wheelchair basketball is a fast-paced, hard-hitting, competitive sport in which Canada is held in high esteem around the world for winning a combined six gold, one silver, and one bronze medal in the last six Paralympic Games.