Ardens claim first tournament title of the season

The Swift Current Comp. Ardens senior basketball team opened 2014 with their first tournament title in Weyburn with three well-earned wins.

The Ardens capped the gold medal performance with an 82-75 overtime win over Indian Head in the championship game Saturday evening. The two teams were tied 68-68 after regulation before the Ardens netted 14 points in overtime.

“The difference in overtime was our energy,” explained head coach Andrew Herrick. “Our girls on the floor had more wind, which is a credit to our depth and how everyone stepped up and played valuable minutes earlier in the game. Our defensive energy led to some key steals resulting in easy baskets, sealing the game for us.”

Veteran guards Jade Addai and Katie DarlingtonKuebler took over down the stretch scoring 26 of the Ar- dens’ 28 points in the fourth quarter and overtime. Darlington-Kuebler finished with 32 points and Addai totaled 27. Grade 12 guard Shae-Lynn Bolton chipped in seven points as well.

The Ardens had lost decisively to Indian Head during their second tournament of the season in Caronport.

“We learned the first time playing them that they’re a tough physical basketball team. The girls understood they were going to have to compete right from the opening tip off,” said Herrick.

The Ardens had opened the tournament with a 69-45 win over Melville. Grade 12 post Cheyenne Kendall led the Ardens with 15 points, while Addai, DarlingtonKuebler, and Bolton each added 13 points.

“Having not played in almost a month we were really just trying to get our legs back under us. We shot the ball really well and had balanced scoring with five girls scoring in double figures,” noted Herrick.

They followed up with a 57-55 win over the host Weyburn Eagles. “It’s always a tough game when you’re up against a quality opponent on their home floor. It was a close game throughout and in the last few minutes we ended up making a few more plays than they did. Credit to our girls for staying focused and composed for a complete 40 minutes,” said Herrick. The Ardens had twice finished second and once placed third in three previous tournament outings. They improved their season record to 9-3 with the unbeaten weekend.

“So far this year we had went 2-1 in every tournament so it was a breakthrough for us to get our first tournament championship of the season. Hopefully we can use that momentum to carry us forward into the Moose Jaw tournament next weekend,” said Herrick.

The Ardens will attend the Moose Jaw Invitational beginning today and concluding Saturday.