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RDP Queens Basketball team roll over Augustana in gold medal triumph

Published

1 year ago

5 minute read

The Queens send the Vikings sailing back home, and win their 2nd championship in program history

And the winning streak continues. The Red Deer Polytechnic Queens picked up their first gold medal in women’s basketball in 31 years as they defeated the University of Alberta-Augustana Vikings 69-44.

A lot of basketball has been played since these two teams faced off back in November. The Vikings would defeat the Queens 71-68 in what was a nail-biting game.

The Queens defeated the Keyano College Huskies in the quarterfinals and the Briercrest College Clippers in the semi-finals. The Vikings defeated the host Lethbridge College Kodiaks in their first match and would follow it up with a win against the St. Mary’s University Lightning to make the finals a battle of the number two-seeded teams in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC).

Red Deer started the gold medal game out on fire as they held the Vikings pointless for the first five minutes and scored nine straight points. Augustana would finally end their point drought with a deep-two-pointer. It was quite an intense first quarter with both fanbases making their presence known inside the Val Matteotti Gymnasium. The Queens would earn themselves an early 17-7 lead as they went into the second quarter.

The Vikings would take an early timeout in the second quarter as they were down 19-7 with seven minutes left to go in the half but have not scored in six minutes. Centre Peighton Melton (General Studies) was having an impressive game under the net in the early goings picking up six points and five rebounds. Once again after the Queens jumped out to a big lead, the Vikings called a timeout as they were looking quite startled on the court and were not playing in tune. The Queens would hold a 31-17 lead as went into the second half. Guard Sandra Garcia-Bernal (Educational Assistant) would lead her team with nine points but guard Sophie Melin (Bachelor of Arts in Psychology) was right behind the Spanish student-athlete with eight points. Melton had seven rebounds in the first half to lead her team in the category.

In the early goings of the quarter, both teams came out of the gate with a lot of energy. With under five minutes, to go this championship turned into quite the battle with the Vikings and Queens going back and forth down the court, putting their best effort forward with a championship banner on the line. The Polytechnic would take a 44-34 lead into the final quarter with 10 minutes to play.

In the opening two minutes of the quarter, the Vikings and Queens would go tit-for-tat with each other and match whatever the other team would score to keep it a ten-point game. Augustana would call a timeout as they fell behind by 13 after the Queens came up with multiple stops in their defensive zone and transitioned this into the offensive game. With some huge steals in their own zone, the Queens would jump out to an impressive 20-point lead with four minutes left to go and would take home the banner to Red Deer with a final score of 69-44.

Centre Peighton Melton took home the player of the game award with 13 points, eight rebounds and a perfect three-for-three from the field.

After Melton accepted her award, guard Heena Sidhu was named to the All-Tournament team and guard Sandra Garcia-Bernal earned herself the Most Valuable Player at the championship.

This is the first time in 31 years the Queens were crowned champions. Assistant coach Nadine Cunningham played for Red Deer the last time they won the championship and now has a gold medal as a coach.

Both these teams will represent the ACAC at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Women’s Basketball National Championship hosted by Mohawk College in Hamilton, ON from March 15-18.

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Education

Support a young reader through the Tim Hortons Smile Cookie campaign

Published on May 1, 2024

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Smile Cookies are coming to a Tim Hortons near you!

We know you missed those delicious chocolate chip cookies with the big blue eyes and bright pink smiles! And we are so thankful Tim Hortons is bringing its Smile Cookie campaign back next week!

Helping struggling students become readers of potential is exactly what local Tim Hortons stores want as proceeds for its Smile Cookie campaign, which runs April 29 – May 5, will be directed to Reading College, a project of the Foundation for Red Deer Public Schools.

“We set up this amazing and fun summer program for kids in Grade 2 where they learn to love reading, and gain the skills to continue their growth as learners. Reading is the foundation for success in school and life. If we can help further develop their skills and instill a love for reading, it creates a lifetime of difference for that child. It will make a difference for them, make a difference for their families and make a difference in their life experiences. That’s the beauty of Reading College,” said Superintendent of Schools, Chad Erickson. “Last year, we had 67 graduates of the Reading College program who were incredibly engaged and able to excel and improve their reading abilities over the month of July, setting them up for further success.”

“The Smile Cookie Campaign is a great opportunity to raise awareness on the importance of literacy. It really does create life chances for students. Reading College is made possible through great support from our community and Tim Hortons – we could not operate it without this support,” said Kristine Plastow, Foundation Board Chair. “I encourage the community to get out there and buy their cookies next week!”

From April 29 – May 5, Tim Hortons restaurant owners in Red Deer will generously donate proceeds from sales of a special smiling chocolate chunk cookie to support the Reading College program through The Foundation for Red Deer Public Schools. The $1.50 treat helps community programs across Canada in the cities where they are sold. This year, 10% of funds raised from Smile Cookies will support the Tim Hortons Foundation Camps, of which more than 100 students from Red Deer Public Schools will attend.

Join us for Smile Cookie Day May 4

“We invite the community to join us for our Smile Cookie Day on May 4 at the Tim Hortons on Thomlison Avenue in Red Deer,” said Plastow. “We have partnered with the Red Deer RCMP, Emergency Services and the Alberta Sheriffs. Come and sit in a firetruck or police car, meet local emergency responders and buy a delicious Smile Cookie, while supporting a great cause!”

“We are excited to bring back the Smile Cookie campaign this spring. On behalf of all Tim Hortons’ restaurant owners and team members in Red Deer, I would like to thank our fantastic guests for their loyalty, generosity and support of the campaign,” said Tanya Doucette, Tim Hortons Restaurant Owner in Red Deer. “We are thrilled to support The Foundation for Red Deer Public Schools and their Reading College program. With funds raised we are helping students learn to read, which will ultimately help set them up for a lifetime of success. During Smile Cookie Week, we welcome all Red Deerians to buy a delicious freshly-baked Smile Cookie in support of a great cause, which helps benefit children in our community.”

Help us promote the campaign by ‘liking’ Red Deer Public Schools on Facebook and ‘following’ us on Twitter, both under @rdpschools. You can also find us on Instagram @reddeerpublicschools.

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RCMP

Red Deer RCMP arrest two individuals following ramming of police vehicle

Published on April 30, 2024

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News release from Red Deer RCMP 

On April 26, 2024, at approximately 2:30 p.m., Red Deer RCMP received a report of a suspicious vehicle located in a parking lot on the north side of Red Deer. When members arrived, a traffic stop was attempted, but the suspect then rammed the officers police vehicle fifteen times. Following this, the two suspects attempted to flee on foot, but were quickly arrested.

Tia Kikoak (27), a resident of Red Deer, has been charged with fifteen offences including:

  • Assault on police officer with a weapon
  • Resist arrest
  • Dangerous operation
  • Possession of stolen property
  • Unauthorized possession of firearm
  • Possession of firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized
  • Careless use of firearm
  • Operation while impaired
  • Fail to comply with release order x2

Jared Mcleod (30), a resident of Red Deer, has been charged with the following offences:

  • Unauthorized possession of firearm
  • Possession of firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized
  • Careless use of firearm
  • Possession of firearm contrary to prohibition order
  • Possession for purpose of trafficking
  • Resist arrest
  • Possession of identity documents
  • Common nuisance

Following a Judicial Interim Release Hearing, Kikoak and Mcleod were remanded into custody. They are scheduled to appear in Alberta Court of Justice in Red Deer on May 1st, 2024.

If you have information regarding this incident please contact Red Deer RCMP at 403-406-2200. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store. To report crime online, or for access to RCMP news and information, download the Alberta RCMP app through Apple or Google Play.

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