The return to school this week also marked the return to the basketball court for the senior squads at Ponoka Secondary.
Both the boys and girls Broncs hit the floor in league action yesterday against Lindsay Thurber from Red Deer (Tuesday, Jan. 5 - results unavailable at press time), but the senior girls are hungry to show off just what they can do as they host their annual Swoosh tournament starting Friday, Jan. 8.
The Broncs will take on Pigeon Lake in the tournament opener Friday afternoon at 3:45 p.m. at the Ponoka Secondary gym.
“This should be a tough tournament,” said head coach Cam Horan, adding this will be the first tournament action following the holiday break.
“So, everyone should be rested and hungry to perform.”
Horan added the return to the court means a lot considering playoffs and provincial qualifying is only two months away as the provincial championships are slated for March 17 to 19.
“With this being the start of the second half of the season, every game carries weight for provincial rankings and overall team morale for the end of the year,” he said.
“So, I hope we bring our best as a team this weekend. If not for those reasons, then for our four graduating seniors as this is their last home tournament.”
Other action on Friday will see Lacombe face Beaumont (5:30 p.m.), Camrose taking on Crossfield (7:15 p.m.) and Rimbey playing Calgary’s Rundle Academy at 9 p.m.
The A-side semifinals go Saturday, Jan. 9 at 12:30 and 2:15 p.m. with the bronze medal game set for 5:45 p.m. and the final going at 7:30 p.m.
The consolation side semis are slated for 9 and 10:45 a.m. with the final at 4 p.m. and the 7th/8th place game set for 2:15 p.m. at Ponoka Elementary.