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Broncs basketball full steam ahead

Senior Broncs basketball teams had a successful day in their league fixtures on Tuesday, Feb, 4, when both teams scored handsomely
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Tavis Lee of Senior Broncs boys shoots over the defending Lakers player as Ethan Minde (11) follows the ball during the Lakers’ game which ended with a 81-38 win for the PSC on Tuesday

Senior Broncs basketball teams had a successful day in their league fixtures on Tuesday, Feb, 4, when both teams scored handsomely against the visitors from Sylvan Lake with the girls winning 41-29 and the boys with a whopping 81-38.

In the first game, senior Broncs girls had a spectacular start in the first period with well-coordinated ball movement and efficient scoring helping the local side to open up a substantial lead that would allow the team to cushion their numerous turnovers and unforced errors in the latter part of the game. When the buzzer went off at the end of the first half, the score was 23-9 in favor of the Broncs.

After the halftime break, there was a different opposition in the court: Senior Laker girls returned from their locker room to the game with a determination to raise the stakes. A steadfast defensive by the visiting team left the hosts with little opportunity to score with eight minutes in the third period going without any score for the Broncs girls. At the end of the third period, the score was 27 for the hosts and 20 for the visitors.

With the beginning of the fourth period, Lakers intensified their pressure on Ponoka girls by maintaining man-to-man defense on both halves of the court. But the Broncs girls, having regrouped and pulled themselves together, managed to overcome the intense defensive effort of Lakers and started scoring more efficiently to finish the game in the lead.

“The girls played an amazing first half and showed the Lakers that we’re a young team but we fight hard,” said Sydni Seibel, head coach for senior Broncs girls.

“They handled the ball well and worked the floor using proper plays and always looking for the open shot. I'm really proud of them for stepping it up and showing off what they all know.”

As for the boys’ game, it was almost a foregone conclusion from the first few minutes of the game. Senior Broncs boys dominated the paint in their half of the court and pick up quite a number of offensive rebounds to open up a strong lead at the end of the first period: 21-8

Their dominance of the court continued with fast-breaks and more points in the paint in the remaining part of the game, which the hosts completed without feeling really challenged.

“Although we didn't shoot the ball particularly well, I felt we played strong defence for most of the game,“ said Blaine Haines, head coach senior Bronc boys.

“Sylvan is a very young team, but I was impressed with their work ethic. The Lakers were tenacious on the boards.”

Senior Broncs boys remain undefeated in the central zone and are looking forward to a successful playoff season.

“The Broncs are progressing well this season. The boys are hungry and continue to want to improve as a unit as we get closer to playoffs in March,” Haines said.

As for tournaments, Broncs lost to Taber (ranked #2 in the Province in 3A) in their tournament final 88-84 the weekend before last.

“It was one heck of a battle in hostile territory. As their coaches, we were very proud of the effort our team put in, even though we came up a tad short,” said Haines. .

Senior Broncs boys played at a Lethbridge tournament last weekend and the girls were scheduled to play at a tournament in Lloyds.

No information was available on the tournament results as Ponoka News went to print on Tuesday.