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High school teams return from Alberta

Senior boys and girls team face stiff competition during a weekend tournament in Lethbridge.
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Mount Baker Wild senior boys coach Shaun Penner observes his players during a drill at the school gym on Wednesday night.

The senior boys and girls basketball teams returned winless from a tournament in Lethbridge this past weekend, however, both coaches are seeing encouraging things from their players.

Hosted by Lethbridge Catholic Central High School, both teams played three games against their hosts and other Albertan competition.

“All games we should’ve had in the bag,” said senior boys head coach Shaun Penner. “We were not inferior to any of those teams, we played inferior to them though, and that’s the worst part.”

Penner said the team’s fitness had improved, and team defence was strong, however, the offensive side was lacking.

“We gotta get some points on the board. We’re not getting people who are attacking the rim,” said Penner. “We’re trying to force shots that aren’t there and we’re just playing a rushed game.”

“We have to dictate the pace, and that’s what we’re letting the other teams do, is dictate the pace.”

The boys faced their hosts for the opener, and fell to Calgary Christian School and Chinook High School, also out of Lethbridge.

“Obviously, we have things we need to work on, and I think we might as well get these games out of the way early in the year so we can expose ourselves, show ourselves where we’re weak and where we need improvement.”

The senior girls also had a tough tournament, with three losses against the host, Archbishop Jordan Catholic High School out of Edmonton and the Lethbridge Collegiate Institute.

“We started probably a little bit better than how we finished,” said coach Al Nutini, who works alongside fellow coach Joe McGowan. “Right now, after the two weeks, what we’ve learned is that the girls have a real lack of confidence in who they are and what they could do.”

Nutini and McGowan noticed that the girls are able to play with other teams, but sometimes get behind early and can’t make up the deficit.

“We’re very much struggling in terms of the finish and the execution,” added Nutini. “I think a lot of that comes down to whether or not they believe in themselves and the system they’re going to try to run.”

 



Trevor Crawley

About the Author: Trevor Crawley

Trevor Crawley has been a reporter with the Cranbrook Townsman and Black Press in various roles since 2011.
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