(Image Credit: Wolf Creek Public Schools/Supplied)

By Vince Burke, Wolf Creek Public Schools

Building towards for years

Eckville Jr/Sr High girls capture 1A provincial basketball bronze

Mar 30, 2026 | 5:24 PM

A provincial bronze medal now sits as proof of what Eckville Jr/Sr High’s senior girls basketball program has been building toward for years.

After a dominant season and a return trip to provincials, Eckville finished third in Alberta at the 1A girls basketball provincials, March 19 to 21. It’s a milestone that reflects both the strength of this year’s team and the steady rise of the program behind it.

“Capturing bronze and being top three in the province that says a lot about where this program is at,” said Athletics Director Cody Magneson, while adding that getting bronze was a little bittersweet, based on the semifinal game.

“In the semifinal, we led Sterling the whole way,” said Magneson. “Unfortunately, they hit two three-pointers late to tie it up, and we just kind of ran out of gas in overtime.”

Instead of playing for gold, Eckville was forced to reset quickly for the bronze medal game.

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“The girls, in their true fashion, bounced back,” said Magneson. “They’ve got a positive mentality, and they came out really strong.”

Facing the host team of Foremost in front of a loud, partisan crowd, Eckville delivered.

“It was loud, it was pretty wild in the gym, something we’re not quite used to being from central Alberta,” he said.

Through the noise, Eckville secured bronze with a 66-48 win over Foremost.

“All the girls had tears in their eyes of joy,” said Magneson. “They were so proud of themselves. It was quite the accomplishment.”

Eckville’s rise has been building quietly over more than a decade.

“We’ve kind of been working up for this for the last 10, 15 years,” said Magneson. “Just being so close to winning Zones and so close to going to provincials.”

There were setbacks along the way, including a missed provincial opportunity in 2020 due to COVID. But the foundation kept growing. Last season, they broke through with their first Zone championship in 40 years, and then repeated this year.

“It was a pretty veteran group that we had this year,” said Magneson.

Through the regular season, Eckville posted a 24–6 record, won multiple tournaments, and dominated in a newly formed 1A/2A league — going undefeated and capturing the league title with a win over Pigeon Lake.

“They’re just a wonderful group of girls,” said Magneson. “The way they conduct themselves at practices, at games, at away games, it was just a pleasure to coach.”

Their impact stretches beyond basketball.

“This group… not only are they good basketball players, but they’re good leaders in our school,” he said. “They’ve also captured gold medals in track and field for Zones, and cross country for Zones.”

Now with the season wrapped up and with medals in hand, five players from the bronze medal squad have been selected to compete in an upcoming Alberta all-star event in Calgary. Additionally, in the spirit of continued program growth, each year, around 60 students in grades 4 to 6 take part in mini basketball, coached by the same athletes who are now competing on the provincial stage.

“They’ll bring back that knowledge and skill to our community,” said Magneson. “And they continue to be real leaders in Eckville.”