The Douglas College Royals, including former Elphi grad Ellen Fallis, played their first CCAA National Championships game on the national stage since 1993 on March 16 in Edmonton against the undefeated Lethbridge College Kodiaks.
It was a tough way to start the tournament as the Royals did not fare so well and had difficulties controlling the ball, committing 32 turnovers and allowing the Kodiaks to shoot 46 per cent from the field, falling to a 99-44 loss.
The Kodiaks were an impressive machine and would ultimately steamroll any team in their path, going on to win with an impressive 81-57 in the gold medal match.
On day two of the tournament, the Royals looked to redeem themselves as they battled the Mount Saint Vincent University Mystics (MSVU) in the bronze quarterfinals, showing a stellar team effort offensively with eight players getting on the score sheet. Fallis was impressive with 19 points, five boards and two steals, contributing to the team’s first victory of 78-60 over the tenacious Mystics from Halifax.
Day three of CCAA National Championships saw the Royals take on the hosts of the tournament, the NAIT Ooks, in the bronze semifinal. Coming off a win, the Royals looked to bump off the hosts and secure their spot for the bronze medal final. In a tight affair that nearly went to overtime, the Ooks managed to put away a buzzer beater, with 1.1 seconds on the clock, while the Royals pulled off a shot, only to have it bounce off the rim and out, ending their journey with a 64-62 loss and leaving them in a respectable sixth place in the nation.
The Royals may have left empty-handed this year but certainly provided fans with some of the best moments of the tournament, playing with sheer determination, passion and incredible teamwork.
Next year’s nationals will take place in March 2018 at Mount Allison University in Sackville, N.B.
Follow the Royals on Twitter @RoyalsAthletics.
– Submitted
