(CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I.). – Defending champion Alberta will face B.C. for the gold medal at 7:00 PM AST on Saturday at the 2023 Canada Winter Games in Charlottetown, P.E.I.
Quebec, the 2019 bronze medalists, will play Manitoba in the bronze medal game at 3:00 PM AST. The medal games will take place at the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre on the campus of UPEI.
Since wheelchair basketball made its debut at the Canada Games in 1995 in Grand Prairie, Alta, Alberta has won gold twice (1995, 2019), B.C.’s best finish at the Games is second (1995, 2003), and they also have one bronze (1999). Quebec won four straight golds (2003-2015) and one silver (1999) in addition to the bronze in 2019.
Reed De’Aeth scored a game-high 30 points, and added 19 rebounds as Alberta edged Quebec 57-52 in the first of two semifinals on Friday. Jayna Doll scored 17 points and nine rebounds in the win.
“It feels amazing to go back to the gold medal game – being able to go back-to-back and try to compete for that gold medal – I can’t even explain how that feels,” said De’Aeth. “Quebec is an amazing team, but we followed coach Darrell Nordell’s gameplan, and we adjusted when we needed to, and we came out with the win.”
B.C., winners of the 2022 Junior National Championship in Charlottetown, defeated Manitoba 70-41 in the second semifinal on Friday. Gabe Harrison led the way with 24 points and five rebounds. Joel Aukema added 12 points, six rebounds and five assists.
“BC has been working way too hard for this opportunity to play for gold, and I’m really psyched for the opportunity on Saturday,” said Megan Smith. “We’re going into the game against Alberta with good heads – we’re ready to fight for that gold because we want to go home champions.”
In the consolation playoffs, New Brunswick topped Newfoundland 55-24, and Saskatchewan got past Ontario 49-43. Consolation play will conclude on Saturday when Saskatchewan battles New Brunswick for fifth place (12:00 PM/AT). Ontario meets Newfoundland in the seventh place game (10:00 AM/AT).
Austin MacLellan led New Brunswick with a game-high 17 points and four rebounds in Friday’s win. Logan Aalders added 14 points and 15 rebounds Brandon Gillis contributed 10 points in the victory.
Saskatchewan was paced by Jordan Bortis’ 23 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and six steals. Kyrell Sopotyk added 10 points and five assists in the win.
The Canada Games are a milestone in the continued development of the next generation of Canadian national, world and Paralympic champions in wheelchair basketball. The competition features current and future members of the Canadian National Team program, including hopefuls to represent Canada at the IWBF World Championships and the Parapan American Games.
The complete tournament schedule and results are available here. Photos from games can be found here. Games are streamed through the official Canada Games web portal. Join the conversation on social media with the hashtag #CGwheelchairbball.