Play for another day
Josh Sparkes and Zac Overwater are aware that, from this point on, each game could be their last. Tonight, the fifth-year graduating duo of the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns men’s basketball team seeks to extend their university careers for at least one more week.
They’ll also do it on home court when the Horns host the Victoria Vikes in a one-game Canada West play-in tonight at 8 p.m. at the 1st Choice Savings Centre.
“Anytime you get to go to playoffs no matter what, it’s exciting,” said Sparkes, whose team finished 12-8 in the regular season earn the seventh seed while the Vikes come in ranked 10th. “But it’s even more special when you get to have it at home in front of our fans. So especially for Zac and I, it’s really exciting to get another game here. We didn’t know if we would for sure, so it was good to get a win (last) weekend and put ourselves in a position to host.”
The Horns won eight of 10 games in the second semester to lock down their third playoff home game in as many years.
“I think we've improved defensively,” said Pronghorns head coach Mike Hansen of his team’s blistering second half. “I think in the first half we were just struggling with our rotations and trying to incorporate some new guys into the mix and starting to build that trust. I think in the second half as we moved along we’ve been able to build trust within our defence and have a more consistent effort.”
“The guys have figured out their roles and I think we as coaches have been able to put guys in the right places to be a little bit more successful.”
Two years ago, the Pronghorns swept the Vikes 2-0 in a best-ofthree series the 1st Choice Savings Centre.
Last month, the Horns posted a 2-0 home sweep over the Vikes with 84-65 and 82-66 wins.
Now, the teams prepare for the one-game playoff with the winner advancing to next week’s best-of-three quarter-final against an opponent to be determined after this weekend’s play-ins.
“It’s been a good week,” said Hansen. “I think the guys understand what’s at stake. We've already played Victoria a few weeks ago so I feel like we're fairly comfortable with what they do and how they play. They're getting (Mason) Loewen back, who is one of their best players, and he is going to have an impact on the game. So we have to make some adjustments to deal with him being on the floor, but other than that, I think it’s just business as usual and just making sure we stay loose and relaxed and ready to go.”
In addition to Loewen, the Jordan Charles and Scott Kellum make up the trio that leads Victoria’s attack.
Overwater led the Horns with 19.1 points-per-game this season on his way to becoming the third all-time leading scorer in program history with 1,388 career points.
Mike Pierzchala has averaged an even 15 points-per-game, while Colton Gibb wasn’t far behind at 12.7.
“They’re a solid team and they’re really disciplined in their game plan,” said Sparkes. “So we have to be prepared to adapt as the game goes on and be able to make counters at what they throw at us. Obviously, they have one of their starters back, a point guard, and he’s a good player. So they’ll be solid. They’re are a tough team and anytime you get the playoffs you never know what can happen. We just have to go out and work hard, play our game and we should be fine.”
“I think the key for us is just to get out to a good start, get some stops early, set the pace of the game up,” added Hansen. “Victoria is going to want to slow the game down and we’re going to want to speed it up. So it’s going to be a battle of who can establish tempo first.”
All students from kindergarten to Grade 12 get free admission to tonight’s game.
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