The Ponoka Composite High School Broncs Grade 9 girls basketball team conquered the court this past weekend and claimed their win.
Coached by Myron Pearman and Jill Hornby, the team brought home the win at the Central Western Alberta Junior High Athletics Association (CWAJHAA) final tournament at W.E. Hay High School in Stettler on March 14 after an exciting game against St. Thomas.
In order for the girls to advance to the championship game they had to play against Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School in the semi-final.
It was an intense game and the teams were tied when the buzzer went. They played five minutes of overtime and the game was won by the Broncs by a spread of one point with Danni Richardson, pint guard, sinking in the winning shot. The score was 45-44.
The win against Lindsay advanced team to the finals against the ‘undefeated’ St. Thomas team. The Broncs won with a score of 37-30.
“It was a very exciting and emotional moment for everyone,” said coach Jill Hornby. “This is the first time PCHS has ever won the 3J CWAJHAA trphy and banner for Grade 9 girls basketball. It is a new record for our school and it was the perfect end to a once in a lifetime season.”
The girls have kept a great track record prior to winning this tournament as well. On March 11 they won the title of League Champions after beating out Bentley 46-25. The team went into the tournament with a record of 24 wins and no losses.
“This is an amazing record. It is very rare to see a young team like this continuously demonstrate success at this level,” said coach Jill Hornby. “They win because they truly know the fundamental skills of basketball and can execute them. When they play their games, it is beautiful to watch. The girls have won all of their games, not only their league games, but their tournament and exhibition games as well.”
Hornby says that although the team has a great record, they had to work at it.
“In many cases we have really had to push hard to win,” she said. “Our team is small. We only have eight players, and our players are not huge in terms of size. We go into many games as the obvious ‘underdogs’, hoping to succeed against teams that are physically more imposing or taller than us. What sets these girls apart is how they play together as a team. This team plays excellent help-side defense, and it is this strong defense that allows them to win games.”
Pearman and Hornby were very pleased with the Broncs winning the CWAJHAA as well as with their sportsmanship and passion for the game.
“The coaching staff can not be more proud of these athletes and the incredible heart and drive they have displayed throughout the season,” said Hornby. “Every time it looked like they might lose to the opposition, they came back with more fight, energy, work ethic and determination. For the team to reach this level of achievement is incredible, as a coaching staff we could not ask for anything more. These players have given their absolute all.”
The Broncs final team record was 27 wins and no losses. They are Wolf Creek League champions, CWAJHAA Champions and can boast of an undefeated title. Congratulations girls!