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Despite late rally, JV boys lose to Wildcats

Inconsistent play was to blame for a loss against Stettler last week, said the coach of Ponoka’s junior varsity boys’ basketball team.
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Cody Kroening (10) of the Ponoka Broncs junior varsity boys’ basketball team heads up the court during their game against the William E. Hay Composite High School Wildcats in Stettler on Wednesday

Joel van der Veen

BLACK PRESS

Inconsistent play was to blame for a loss against Stettler last week, said the coach of Ponoka’s junior varsity boys’ basketball team.

The JV Broncs visited the Wildcats at William E. Hay Composite High School on Wednesday, Feb. 4, maintaining a narrow gap in the first quarter, which ended with a score of 10-8 in Stettler’s favour.

However, the Wildcats surged ahead in the middle quarters, leading by more than 20 points by the end of the third.

The Broncs recovered somewhat in the final quarter, but it was not enough to reverse the trend, resulting in a 66-52 loss for Ponoka.

“We lacked consistency,” said coach Ryan Newman, adding that he was pleased at the team’s improved efforts towards the end of the game.

He explained that the team’s offensive and defensive forces came together towards the end, and though it was “effective,” it was too late for them to overcome the Wildcats.

“We’re missing four of our key players,” Newman added. Iggy Cattleman, Cameron Walsh, Cooper Jones and Donovan Blonke were all absent from Wednesday’s game.

Clayton Raugust was Ponoka’s top scorer with 11 points, followed by Cody Kroening and Blake Waldron, who each contributed nine points.

The Broncs had been tied with the Wildcats in league standings, but the loss knocked them down by one.

They have two league games remaining this season. The Broncs are scheduled to host Lacombe on Wednesday, Feb. 11, and then will visit Red Deer’s Hunting Hills High School on Feb. 17.

They will return to Stettler for zones at the end of the month.