BOW VALLEY – Provincials are out of reach this year for local basketball teams, but there's growing confidence already for what's to come next season.
A different kind of March Madness got underway earlier in March as several local high schools competed at Alberta’s south central zones.
The Canmore Wolverines 3A senior boys went 1-2, defeating the Bow Valley Bobcats 78-69 and losing to the No. 1 ranked Brooks Buffalos, 87-69, and to the George McDougall Mustangs, 78-71, in a back and forth game.
“Those were two gutsy performances against top teams in the province and we came at them and we made them nervous,” said head coach Michael Langlois. “When we had to turn it on, we could turn it on and compete with anybody in the province. We’re not going to provincials this year, however, there are teams going we could beat, it’s just that we just happen to be in the wrong zone.”
Wolverines Jaxon Fisher, along with twin brother Ethan, are the team’s biggest offensive threats. The Grade 11 guard said the team was disappointed with zones, but overall pleased with the season.
With just three Grade 12’s on the Wolverines roster, including only one in the starting line up, there’s high expectations for next season for coaches and players alike.
“I think next year we’ll do better than we did this year,” said Fisher. “Next year, we’ll be all seniors and Grade 12’s.”
The Our Lady of the Snows Avalanche’s 2A boys was the No. 2 ranked squad at zones, and smashed Prairie Christian Academy in its opening game by nearly 30 points.
The Avalanche knocked off Drumheller in its second game to set up a game against the No. 1 ranked St. Joseph’s Collegiate, who held two regular season victories against OLS.
“We felt confident in our chances to win and go to provincials,” said head coach Steven Ples. “It was a one or two possession game the entire game, we had the lead with less than four minutes left in the game. Unfortunately, we were not able to hold on and we lost by five points in the end. It was a heartbreaking loss, but St. Joseph’s Collegiate was a great team and we battled well against them.”
The Banff Bears 2A junior varsity girls went 1-2, with tight finishes only two points apart.
The Bears lost their first game 55-54 against Notre Dame, clawing back from a 22-point deficit.
"The girls almost did the impossible by putting up a 24 point fourth quarter to get back into the game," said head coach Marc Geestman. "Notre Dame lost by only two points to the team that won the championship, so we are very close to challenging for the banner."
The Bears won its next game 38-36 against Hugh Sutherland. In the consolation final, the Bears were just barely edged out by one point against Sundre, losing 40-39 in a hotly contested game.
