Basketball bounces back on to the scene
And here we go again!
In terms of advance notice, as per usual, I will be glad to run info on any invitational tournaments I receive by the Monday previous in this space.
For one time only since this is my first notice, thanks to a slate kindly provided by Southern Alberta Basketball Officials Association assigner
Paul Rocca, I’ll note the Coalhurst Boys Tournament is on-tap this weekend.
As well, thanks to Chinook’s fresh athletic director Jamie Bach for sending me info on their varsity boys Coyote invitational which goes Friday and Saturday.
Chinook hosts Medicine Hat Crescent Heights, Immanuel Christian, Calgary Rundle College, Okotoks Holy Trinity, Calgary Bishop Carroll, Rocky Mountain House Western Central and Chestermere St. Gabriel.
There are multiple high school basketball leagues in this area. The leagues I know the best by far are the associated Southern Alberta High School Girls Basketball League and the Southern Alberta High School 4A Boys Basketball League. This stands to reason since I am the Southern Alberta Interscholastic Administrative Council activities co-ordinator and SAIAC oversees these loops. I’ll profile the other area outfits, but for now I’ll start at home.
Both leagues (which you can get plentiful online data on at www.SouthHoops.ca through the hard work of Ronna McKee, Mike McKee and a plethora of helpers) tip next Tuesday, Dec. 4.
All eight boys members debut that night with Catholic Central at Winston Churchill, Chinook trekking to Raymond, Magrath rolling down to Cardston, while LCI visits Medicine Hat High.
There are five new varsity head coaches in the boys circuit this season including Jamie Atwood (Cardston),
Lynden Nummi (Catholic Central), Jared Nelson (LCI, where he has served in the same role in a prior run), Ryan Blackmore (Magrath) and Brett Ralph (Raymond). Girls opening night has Catholic Central at LCI. There are eight varsity entrants this time around also including Magrath, Cardston, Winston Churchill (who were JV only last season), Raymond, Taber W.R. Myers and Medicine Hat High. Chinook will play JV only this time around. New varsity bench bosses are Omar Kadir (Winston Churchill) and Al Gibb (Raymond.)
WELLSIE’S WORLD — While high school hoops 2018-19 regular seasons are just about to tip, the post-secondary campaigns are well underway. In fact, Lethbridge College has already reached its semester break. The women are 6-2 in Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference South Division action, while the men stand at 5-3. All-told the Kodiaks will play 21 regular season tilts.
Across the river at the University of Lethbridge, the local favourites play their last home league games of 2018 tomorrow (Thursday) night at their on-campus 1st Choice Savings Centre showcase venue.
Not just any tilts either, it’s the (boo! — hey, it’s my column) University of Calgary visiting town for a yearly onetime-only showdown with the (yeah! — again it’s my column) U of L squads.
It’s a special promotion night, too. One that pertains to this column in that there is free admission for kids (meaning parents I would imagine in most cases) who donate a food item. That certainly seems especially applicable as we build up to the Christmas season!
As far as entertainment value, well, since there are no predetermined outcomes like pro wrestling, you can’t manipulate slobberknockers, but often these PronghornDino tilts live up to that colourful description.
Last year, for example the U of L men prevailed in overtime in front of an engaged crowd in excess of 1,500. From that juncture forward Calgary won their next 11 straight and took the national title!
Please note the word “engaged” here. That happens far too infrequently at U of L these days. Making an emotional investment is often fun.
The Calgary men have three returning full-time starters from that squad, two returning part-time starters and a conference all-star transfer. They are ranked No. 2 in Canada by the nation’s head coaches currently. They have a 10-0 league mark. They are really good.
U of L lads have a fine group of talent, too. The team has been ranked as high as No. 12 (out of 47) in the coach poll and a media poll. The last two weeks have been oh-so painful for these Horns bringing their Canada West loop record down to 4-4. But, there is nothing like a visit by the Dinos to get the juices flowing yet again. Absolutely nothing.
The Calgary women are 7-3 in league play, with the U of L at 5-3. Dinos actually lead the conference in terms of the computer calculation (modified Rating Percentage Index) that determines playoff seeding at the conclusion of the weird (for sure) and wonderful (perhaps not) 17-team, utterly unbalanced 20-game regularseason CW hoop slate.
For me, the Calgary women are the most athletic team in the circuit and they love to press. Lethbridge, being well Lethbridge, like to run. If Calgary forces copious turnovers they will be in a strong position. If U of L breaks the pressure and converts layups, advantage homeside.
As for U of L performers local high school fans might well remember and have a connection to, there is Mike
Pierzchala (Winston Churchill), Zac Overwater (LCI), Colton Gibb (LCI) and Josh Sparkes (Med. Hat High) on the men’s side. All typically play prominent roles, as does Barnwell product Kyle
Peterson (who despite playing for Edmonton Harry Ainlay actually took part of his high school at Taber W.R. Myers.)
The U of L women’s area high school grad contingent includes typical starters Amy
Mazutinec (Stirling), Katie Keith (Chinook), Kacie Bosch (Chinook) and Jessica Zarowny (LCI) along with rotation players Danielle Fritzke (Medicine Hat McCoy), Logan
Moncks (Cardston) and Isabel Rattai (Hat High). Alyssa
Hoveling (Chinook) was looking likely to break into the rotation, but is now out with her second significant knee injury.
I know many local kids and their parents have university basketball as a goal. Here is a great chance to see just how good you need to be.