Senior girl Wildcats of the Wm. E. Hay high school finished second in an eight-team basketball tournament in Rocky Mountain House last weekend.
Their first, physically demanding game was against Parkland from Edson.
“The team pulled together and managed to take the win, final score of 44 – 42,” said coach Rachelle Campeau.
Kaitlin Poapst and Mykala Sorenson played a strong game, securing the rebounds and working well down low in the key on offense.
Next the Wildcats faced Oscar Romero from Edmonton.
The girls played hard but had some difficulty keeping pace with the speed of their guards; being down by one at the half.
“Kourtney Schilling, a Grade-10 rookie player, stepped up to secure the win with fast feet defense against their top three-point shooter,” said Campeau. Final score 45 - 32
In the finals, the senior girls faced Sylvan Lake in a nail-biter.
“The game was tightly matched, teams being tied 18–18 at the half,” said Campeau.
“Having a late game in the previous day and a shallow bench proved to be an issue in the fourth quarter, when stamina slowed.”
The Wildcats pushed to get a two-point lead with two minutes left in the last period, but could not hold on to it with game tied up once again with a little over a minute to go.
With a minute left in the game, Sylvan got off a shot that gave them a two-point lead. Seconds later a foul was made, allowing them to get another basket and a three-point lead. The girls pushed to try for one last three three-point play but couldn’t make it: Final score 43 – 40.
“Katrenia Heier, starting point guard was the lead scorer for the Wildcats during this game,” said Campeau.
As for junior varsity girl Wildcats, they hosted Ponoka on Wednesday, Dec, 8 and lost 38-19.
“We were close until the middle of the third quarter and then we let them get away on us,” said coach Charisse McDonald.
“We are struggling with scoring, but that will come with time.” she said.
“We are improving week by week and are getting used to playing together.”
Major scorers against Ponoka were Hallie Turner with six and Kylie Neitz with eight.