Stettler’s senior boys’ basketball team enjoyed a string of wins at a tournament in Forestburg this past weekend, losing to Beaumont in their final match.
Coach Warren Aspenes said he was pleased with the boys’ performance during the weekend event, held Friday, Jan. 30 and Saturday, Jan. 31.
“We hadn’t played in a couple of weeks, so it’s good to get back,” he said, adding that four games in two days helped the boys back into the swing of the sport after a brief hiatus for exams.
“We ended up where you should be in a tournament like that,” he added, noting that they were competing against 1A, 2A and 3A teams.
The boys from William E. Hay Composite High School faced Morrin in the tournament opener on Friday, handily winning 67-25. They also played Castor’s Gus Wetter School, coming out 82-47 in another lopsided win.
Stettler faced league competitors Camrose in the semi-final, shutting down their opponents’ offense for much of the game and winning 65-50.
The win over Camrose, identified by Aspenes as one of the stronger 3A programs, was especially satisfying. He noted that their team appears to be in a “weak cycle” this year.
Stettler’s only loss of the weekend came in the final against Beaumont, where they were defeated by a slim margin with a final score of 71-65.
Aspenes applauded the offensive efforts of Jordan Lane, Kyle Poapst and Paul Georget, as well as defenseman Clayton Page, who returned after recovering from illness and injury.
“Defensively, he’s getting better,” said Aspenes, adding, “He was also able to chip in with some points this weekend.”
Terrence Corbett also returned after recovering from a broken hand; Aspenes noted that he also had a successful weekend.
“When kids are out for any length of time, it’s tough because everyone is getting better and learning and growing,” he explained.
Senior girls
William E. Hay’s senior girls also competed in a tournament on the weekend, travelling on Ponoka on Friday, Jan. 30, where they defeated Canmore 51-48 in overtime.
Coach Charisse McDonald said Friday’s match was an exciting game, praising the breakout performance of Brooke Clarke, who scored 10 points on the fast break.
Towards the end, the Stettler team was 10 points behind with a minute remaining. Dacia Gramlick, who had struggled somewhat with scoring up to that point, got two consecutive three-point baskets, after steals by Morgan Van Dusen and Alyssa Henderson.
Gramlick then scored two foul shots, and with seven seconds left in play, Van Dusen managed another steal, allowing Mackenzie Sorenson to tie the game and forcing overtime play. A couple of missed fouls by Canmore sealed the victory for Stettler.
Unfortunately, after that encouraging win, Stettler did not return to the tournament on Saturday, as the snowfall and road conditions prevented them for travelling back to Ponoka.
“We were disappointed not to be able to play Saturday after having played so well on Friday night,” said McDonald. “Our guards have really improved defensively, putting good pressure on the top of our zone, making it hard for teams to get the ball inside.”
Gramlick was the top scorer in Friday’s game with 20 points, followed by Van Dusen with 14, while McDonald noted that all players scored at least one basket during the game.
Up next
Both senior teams were scheduled to host Lacombe on the afternoon of Tuesday, Feb. 3.
In junior basketball, the boys are scheduled to host Ponoka on Wednesday, Feb. 4, while the JV girls will welcome Gus Wetter School for an exhibition game that same evening.