ASHMONT – A combined seven teams split into boys' and girls' divisions battled it out for the top spot at the Northeast Alberta Schools Athletic Association (NEASAA) Zone handball championship tournament held May 2 and 3 at Ashmont School.
The two-day tournament saw teams from St. Paul Regional High School, Mallaig School, Two Hills School, and Notre Dame High School from Bonnyville take part in the tournament.
According to Shaun Peters, Two Hills School coach and one of the tournament organizers, the competition included several close matches.
On the boys' side, Notre Dame High School emerged as the top team, defeating Two Hills in the finals 32-12. St. Paul Regional won against Mallaig for the bronze.
On the girls' side, St. Paul Regional won the gold medal, defeating Mallaig 34-27 in the final. Two Hills School placed third.
The Notre Dame and Two Hills boys’ teams, as well as St. Paul Regional and Mallaig girls’ teams will advance to the provincial championship being held in Lacombe on May 11-13, said Peters.
Peters said that Two Hills boys’ and Mallaig girls’ will be heading to the provincials as wild cards. Because the northeast zone has represented so well at provincials in past years, the NEASAA zone was granted wild cards, he explained.
With seven teams competing, Peters noted the tournament was simple to run. "All coaches and players know each other fairly well, having played in [various] competitions throughout the year," Peters said.
Peters commended all teams, deeming the tournament a success, and wishing the teams moving on to provincials the best.
“It was just a great competition overall and the stronger teams prevailed.”
