Scharf wins all-Thunder Bay final and will return to the Scotties

Krista Scharf defeated Robyn Despins 9-7 to win the Northern Ontario women's curling championship and will represent the region at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts beginning Jan. 23 in Mississauga.

Krista Scharf captured the Northern Ontario women's curling championship Sunday, beating Robyn Despins 9-7 at the North Bay Granite Club. It was Scharf's eighth Northern Ontario title and her 13th shot at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts. Her team — lead Sarah Potts, second Kendra Lilly and third Ashley Sippala — will represent the region at the national championship. The Scotties are scheduled to begin Jan. 23 in Mississauga. Match details: - Final score: Scharf 9, Despins 7. - Event: Northern Ontario women's curling championship held at the North Bay Granite Club. - Scharf's team members listed as lead Sarah Potts, second Kendra Lilly and third Ashley Sippala. - Key moments included a steal of two early for Scharf, a three-point fourth end that built a lead, and Scharf running Despins out of rocks in the 10th to secure the win. - Robyn Despins reached the final after a 7-5 semifinal win over Krysta Burns; her team includes Rebecca Carr, Samantha Morris and Nicole Westlund-Stewart. Summary: Scharf's victory awards her team the Northern Ontario berth at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts and continues their run of national appearances. The team is set to compete at the Scotties beginning Jan. 23 in Mississauga. In the men's event at the same championship, Sandy MacEwan advanced to face defending champion John Epping after a 9-8 extra-end win over Trevor Bonot.