Kodiaks basketball teams add reinforcements

As they head into the second half of their Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference seasons, the Lethbridge College Kodiaks men’s and women’s basketball teams have added some reinforcements.

Continuing their push for a playoff spot, the Kodiaks host the Red Deer College Kings and Queens tonight at the Val Matteotti Gymnasium.

The Kodiaks men’s roster got a boost as fifth-year veteran Colten Murray and fourth-year Grady Taylor returned to the team after sitting out the first semester.

Taylor, a forward from Magrath, finished last season third in regular season scoring and second in playoff scoring for the Kodiaks, helping the team to a conference silver medal and fifth-place finish at nationals.

Murray, a power forward from Picture Butte, last played for the Kodiaks in 2015-16 and earned ACAC second team all-star honours.

Tom Johnson, a second-year guard from Barnwell, also joins the roster.

The Kodiaks women also welcome some new faces with a southern Alberta theme with five new additions.

Freshmen Emily Bishop (Raymond), Matlin McMurray (Cardston), Melissa Olsen (Cardston) and Tana Stewart (Magrath) along with Brooke Heggie (Raymond), who played one season with the Kodiaks in 2012-13, will join the Kodiaks lineup this semester.

The Kodiaks men head into the second semester at 4-3 and in a threeway tie with the Olds College Broncos (4-3) and the Ambrose Lions (4-4) for third place in the ACAC South Division.

However, the Kodiaks are guaranteed to make the conference playoffs as the hosts of the 2018 ACAC championship.

The Kodiaks will host a Kings team that went 3-4 in the first semester and enters play just two points behind Lethbridge. The Kodiaks will also look to avenge a first semester 97-91 loss to the Kings.

Keanu Funa leads the Kodiaks in scoring, averaging 15.6 points per game while guard Michael Clemons leads the ACAC in assists per game at 8.9.

The Kodiaks women kick off the second semester at 3-4 and two points out of the final ACAC playoff spot as they host the 2-5 Queens.

The Kodiaks topped Red Deer 51-50 in the first semester.

Courtney Kwasney leads the Kodiaks averaging 10.4 points per game.

Shayna Mathison is fifth in the ACAC in rebounds per game at a 9.6 average.

Amy Arbon is seventh in the league at 8.1 and is also first in the ACAC in assists per game with 6.4.

Game time tonight is 6 p.m. for the women with the men’s game to follow at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for seniors, youth and alumni, $3 for Lethbridge College employees and free for Lethbridge College students.