Lancers, Trojans in final showdown

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This article was published 19/03/2025 (186 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Dakota Lancers are one win away from Manitoba high school hoops history.

Sparked by a sensational 24-point triple-double from Grade 11 forward Emilie McLean, the Lancers played to a convincing 88-61 victory over the Garden City Gophers in the AAAA women’s varsity basketball semifinals at Investors Group Athletic Centre on Wednesday.

Dakota will look for an unprecedented fourth-consecutive championship when they face the Vincent Massey (Winnipeg) Trojans in the provincial final Monday, March 24, at IGAC at 6 p.m.

McLean’s triple-double came on the strength of 18 rebounds and 10 blocks on a night the Lancers had their way in the paint.

“It’s (about) not getting down on the first couple of shots because it can be very draining, and not letting the crowd get to you too much, it can be very hard,” said McLean, who added four steals. “I just think everyone I miss, I’m just gonna make the next one.”

Dakota guard Taylor Schepp also stuffed the stat sheet with a double-double, recording a game-high 26 points and 12 assists to go with seven rebounds and five steals.

Fellow guards Ava Osato and Kalesha Campbell chipped in with 13 points each.

“We prep for this, and we’ve been fortunate to play in some big games leading into this,” said Lancers head coach Eric Sung.

“Playing in front of a crowd, playing in this building, I would hope we’re excited for it but we’re used to it, and we’ve been fortunate with that.”

Guard Jenelle Deato equalled the game high of 26 points, adding 10 rebounds and four assists for the Gophers. Grade nine forward Sierra Ferguson supplied 14 points and seven rebounds.

“In the first quarter, I would even say we were pretty nervous and our heads weren’t even in it yet we were just flying around,” Sung added. “But once we settled in after that first quarter, the game plan really settled in on the defensive side for sure.”

Dakota held leads of 28-12; 51-34; and 65-41 at quarter breaks, as its suffocating defence prevented the Gophers from striking a groove on offence.

Dakota had their way with the ball through McLean, while Schepp shredded Garden City in transition.

“They tried to plant two people on her, but just at her size, mobility, her ability to shoot the rock, really, really hurt them, Sung said of McLean.

“Just her ability to even dribble, she can kick start our transition, rebounds the ball, she can push it up the lane right away and that really gets us going right away in transition to really hurt some teams.”

The Lancers have dominated their competition all season, wearing just two losses from in-province teams on its record.

Which team delivered those two losses? The Trojans.

“I’m feeling a lot of pressure on it, actually,” McLean said. “But I think it’s such a fun experience to be a part of it all and know that we can be the next team. We can be the next one to continue on the Dakota legacy.”

Trojans dominate Buckeyes

The Vincent Massey Trojans punched their ticket to the championship final with a 74-43 triumph over the Miles Macdonell Buckeyes in the second semifinal contest.

Trojans guard Lilly Vande Graaf was outstanding at both ends of the floor, leading all players with 23 points and eight steals.

Guard Jennifer Edwards supplied 14 points and five steals, while Imiefo Ese added 11 points, three rebounds and three steals for Massey.

The Trojans held leads of 19-16; 42-24; and 58-34 at the end of each quarter. They gave the Buckeyes fits all night with a full-court press, as eight different players recorded a steal.

Buckeyes forward Clara Anderson replied with 20 points, while Eliana Stark registered 12 points, six rebounds, two steals and three blocks.

joshua.frey-sam@freepress.mb.ca