RDP student-athletes receive ACAC Basketball Awards

Photo Top Row (l-r): Sandra Garcia-Bernal (23), Heena Sidhu (14); Bottom Row (l-r): Deandre Rowe (5), Jose Mauro (14)

Red Deer, AB – Four members of the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings and Queens Basketball teams have been acknowledged by the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) for their exceptional play.

Queens fifth-year guard Sandra Garcia-Bernal was named ACAC Women's Basketball South Player of the Year and a South First All-Conference team selection. Teammate Heena Sidhu made the ACAC Women's Basketball South Second All-Conference team.

Kings guard Deandre Rowe was honoured as ACAC Men's Basketball South Rookie of the Year. RDP's Jose Mauro earned a spot on the Men's Basketball South Second All-Conference team.

"I want to congratulate Sandra, Heena, Deandre and Jose on receiving these ACAC Awards," says Randy Stewart, Manager, Athletics and Student Life. "They have demonstrated a tremendous work ethic and commitment to improving themselves this season."

Garcia-Bernal (23)

Through the regular season, Garcia-Bernal tied for the team lead with 11.4 points per game, helping to guide the RDP Queens (17-4) to second spot in the ACAC Women's Basketball South Division. She contributed 6.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game and became the all-time steals leader. With 130 steals in 2023/2024, the Educational Assistant student finished her post-secondary basketball career with 406, placing her first in ACAC Women's Basketball history. NAIT's Shea-Lynn Noyes sits in second with 350 steals.

Sidhu (14)

Sidhu, who is a fifth-year guard, ranked fifth in Queens' scoring (10.3 points per game) during the season. She averaged 2.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. As a starter in all 21 games, the Bachelor of Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies student also recorded 73 steals, which was fourth best in the league. She was effective at the free-throw line, sinking 79.1% of her attempts.

With an opportunity to advance to the Women's Final Four Basketball Tournament, the RDP Queens were defeated by the St. Mary's University Lightning in the playoffs, halting their aspirations of winning back-to-back ACAC Championships.

Rowe (5)

In his first year, Rowe was a key contributor to the fifth place RDP Kings (12-9), ranking third on the team with 12.7 points per game. The six-foot-four guard shot 42.7% from the field, 34% from three-point range and 75% from the free-throw line. Rowe, who is an Open Studies student from Ottawa, also averaged 4.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.

Mauro (14)

Mauro was an imposing force for the Kings at both ends of the court. The six-foot-seven forward led the Kings in scoring with 15.8 points per game. Brazil's Mauro averaged 11 rebounds per game, which ranked fourth in the league. The second-year Business Certificate student connected on 53.5% of his shots from the field, placing him sixth in the ACAC.

In their opening game of the division playoffs, the RDP Kings defeated the Briercrest College Clippers in Saskatchewan. Then the first place St. Mary's University Lightning downed the Kings two days later, ending RDP's season.