We had mixed results at last week’s Divisional Championships in Airdrie. Congratulations to the JV Boys who won the league title. All four basketball teams travel to their respective zone championships, this weekend.
JV BOYS’ BASKETBALL
The Chestermere JV Lakers are the 2013 Rocky View Divisional Champions. The Lakers played the Springbank Phoenix in the semi- final game with a berth into Saturdays championship game on the line. The Lakers started out strong getting an early jump on the Phoenix, however slowing down throughout the game. They managed to hold on for the 54- 46 win. It was a hard fought win for the Lakers. The Lakers led by Jag Gill with 13 points and 11 rebounds and Ali Abdulghani with 12 points. The JV Lakers earned a spot in the Gold medal game where they took on the undefeated Cobras from Cochrane. The Lakers jumped out to an early lead. The Lakers never gave up the lead playing their best defensive game of the year against one of the top offenses they have faced all year. They brought home the gold and the Championship banner with a 56- 48 win. Its the first divisional title for the JV Lakers since the 2010 season. The scoring was led by Jag Gill and Jeff Rodehutskors with 18 points a piece. But the two players that cant be looked over and were a pivotal part of the Laker win was the strong defensive effort of Mitch Marjoram and Mark Rodehutskors. It was a great defensive effort from all 12 Lakers, for a great team win. Up next for the Lakers is the South Central Zone playoffs. Ranked 3rd going in, the Lakers look to add to their Divisional victory. The zones are held at Bert Church High School in Airdrie where Chestermere takes on Olds in their first round game on Friday March 8th at 2:30 pm. Best of luck Lakers.
VARSITY BOYS’ BASKETBALL
The Lakers competed in the Rocky View League playoffs this past weekend. With a bye to the semi-finals the Lakers took on the Bert Church Chargers in their own gym. Led by Yuvraj Hundal’s 24 points the Lakers advanced to the final with an 80-69 victory. Matched up against Cochrane for the third year in a row, the Lakers were looking to capture the league title. In what turned out to be a back and forth game the Lakers fell cold in the last four minutes and came up just short in a 77-73 loss. Charn Gill led the way with 25 points. The Lakers showed tremendous heart and class in the loss and look forward to seeking redemption in the zone tournament this coming week with a spot at provincials on the line. Thank you to all Chestermere staff, students, and alumni for their support at the game. A special thanks to the Junior Varsity Boys and Varsity Girls teams who came out to cheer on the team. The Varsity Boys host Highwood on Wednesday at 7:45 in the first round of the zone playoffs.
VARSITY GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
After going undefeated in league play and dominating the league, the team came up short in the semi-finals against the host Bert Church Chargers. After a tight first quarter, the Lakers went up 11 in the second quarter. An injury to Aimee Wilson seem to deflate the team and the Chargers cut into the lead. Aimee played sparingly the rest of the game but the team never recovered. The Lady Lakers were up 31-26 at the half but did not come out strong in the second half. The Chargers were up 48-41 after three quarters and were out working the girls. With 1:15 left in the game the girls were down 10 and mounted a ferocious comeback. With two big threes and a free throw the team cut the lead to 3. A long range missed three at the buzzer meant there would be no over-time and the girls were on the short end of a 63-60 score. Not boxing out on defense and missing 15 free throws were big factors in the loss. This was a heart breaking loss for the team, but especially the 7 seniors. The team has to get over the loss and prepare for the zone championships to be held at Chestermere this week. The girls will play Brooks on Wednesday at 6 and, with a win, will play at 6 on Thursday. The championship game is set for 6:00 on Friday. With a zone championship the Lady Lakers will move on to the AAA Provincial Championship the following weekend in Strathmore. The Lady Lakers would appreciate your support.
JV GIRLS’ BASKETBALL.
The JV Lady Lakers played three very tough playoff games last week in their quest for a division title.
On Tuesday, they hosted the Bow Valley Bobcats, from Cochran, in a quarter-final matchup. The girls played one of their best games of the season and rolled to a convincing 60-36 victory. It was off to Cochrane on Thursday and a semi-final date with the always tough Cobras. It was an intense battle from the opening tip. The teams exchanged leads seven times in the first half before heading into the locker rooms tied at 21. Tough defense in the third quarter would keep the Lady Lakers in the game and tied at 33 at the start of the final ten minutes. Both teams played with determination and passion the rest of the wa, but in the end the girls from Chestermere ran out of gas and lost by five. Saturday morning meant the Bronze Medal match against the George McDougall Mustangs. It was another great game as these two team always seem to play each other tough. The game came down to the final five seconds. The Lady Lakers could not hold on to the lead and gave up a late basket and fell to the Airdrie team 47-45. The girls have one last weekend of basketball as the girls travel to Cochrane and play in the South Central Zone Championship.
ALUMNI BASKETBALL UPDATE
Richelle Rawlyk and her Olds College Broncos finished in first place in the ACAL League schedule and play for the Gold Medal, this Saturday, at Three Hills, at 6:00. Kyle Wilson (Mount Royal University) and Jasdeep Gill (University of Calgary) concluded their CIS season after not making the playoffs. Lance Wesolowski was named an ACAC playoff all star as the Keyano College team finished second at the ACAC championships. Sean McCormick and the Cape Breton Capers won the AUE championship. Sean averaged 15 points and 9 rebounds per game in the playoffs. Both Lance and Sean will travel to nationals next weekend. Congratulations to all of our alumni still playing basketball and best of luck to those still in playoffs.
This grade 10 student-athlete averaged 11 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals and 35 minutes of floor time this past week in league playoffs. His strong defensive pressure and determination and key 3 point shooting helped lead the JV Lakers to the Rocky view Divisional Championship. Congratulations Mitch.[/box]
