Connect with us

Red Deer

RDP Queens Basketball team roll over Augustana in gold medal triumph

Published

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.

Community

Support local healthcare while winning amazing prizes!

Published on

When you purchase tickets for Red Deer Hospital Lottery and Mega Bucks 50, you do more than just play—you become part of something bigger. You help bridge the gap between what government funding provides and what your hospital truly needs to deliver exceptional care.


Your support helps fund state-of-the-art equipment that doctors and nurses need right now to care for patients across Central Alberta. While plans for the hospital expansion move forward, healthcare doesn’t wait. Patients in our community need access to life-saving technology today, and your generosity makes that possible. 


This year’s lottery will fund essential new and replacement equipment, ensuring your hospital can continue to serve the 500,000 people who rely on it. When you purchase your ticket, you’re investing in innovation, excellence, and a healthier future for Central Alberta. 
SUPPORT TODAY

Step into your Million Dollar Dream Home
by Sorento Custom Homes

Sorento Custom Homes, known for their fine craftsmanship, has continued the tradition of building an exceptional Hospital Lottery Dream Home, located at 128 Emmett Crescent in Red Deer’s Evergreen neighborhood.  This gorgeous bungalow features 2,824 sq ft of developed living space and showcases a tall, vaulted ceiling.

This outstanding home features a screened deck off the dining room, a large family room on the lower level, and of course, a beautiful primary suite. Sorento’s ensuites are always something to behold, and this one features a clawfoot tub. There’s an office on the main level, two bedrooms below, and a large fitness room that includes a two-person infrared sauna.

BUY NOW!

CHECK OUT OUR GREAT TICKET PACKAGES

1 for $20 • 8 for $100 15 for $150  30 for $250

BUY NOW!
MEGA BUCKS 50
Win half of an increasing jackpot of up to $500,000

DON’T FORGET!

$10 EACH | 10 FOR $25
25 FOR $50 | 50 FOR $75

GET YOUR TICKETS!
Thank you so much for your support, and best of luck in the draws.
CALL RED DEER & AREA OR TOLL FREE
403.340.1878      1.877.808.9005
Red Deer Hospital Lottery
Red Deer Hospital Lottery
PO Box 1098
Red Deer AB T4N 6S5

Lottery Licence #724321 | Mega Bucks 50 Licence #724322

© RED DEER HOSPITAL LOTTERY 2025
Continue Reading

Community

SPARC Caring Adult Nominations now open!

Published on

Check out this powerful video, “Be a Mr. Jensen,” shared by Andy Jacks. It highlights the impact of seeing youth as solutions, not problems. Mr. Jensen’s patience and focus on strengths gave this child hope and success.

👉 Be a Mr. Jensen: https://buff.ly/8Z9dOxf

Do you know a Mr. Jensen? Nominate a caring adult in your child’s life who embodies the spirit of Mr. Jensen. Whether it’s a coach, teacher, mentor, or someone special, share how they contribute to youth development. 👉 Nominate Here: https://buff.ly/tJsuJej

Nominate someone who makes a positive impact in the lives of children and youth. Every child has a gift – let’s celebrate the caring adults who help them shine! SPARC Red Deer will recognize the first 50 nominees. 💖🎉 #CaringAdults #BeAMrJensen #SeePotentialNotProblems #SPARCRedDeer

Continue Reading

Trending

X