St. Augustine High School’s senior boys and girls basketball teams had back-to-back games last week, first at home and then on the road with the coaches of both teams expressing satisfaction with the progress of their teams.
On Tuesday, Jan. 7, St. A’s Sr. Kings and Queens hosted the Panthers, their counterparts from Pigeon Lake.
In the first game of the evening, Sr. Queens played an intensely competitive game against the visitors with the lead changing hands several times throughout the game.
The Panthers just had a slight edge in defense and rebounding ability and used it for their advantage to win the game 58-52.
In the game against Panther boys, which followed immediately, St. A Kings demonstrated a great style and coordination in moving the ball. Darien Lloyd’s domination of the rim in both defensive and offensive rebounds was one of the most important factors bringing the 70-60 win for the Kings.
“Last night’s game was great for the boys. They started the game with great intensity and set the tone and pace of play right off the get go,” said Adam Bowie, the Kings’ coach.
“It was Darien’s first game back after an ankle injury put him on the bench about two weeks before the Christmas break,” he added.
“It was great to have his size, intensity and teamwork mentality back on the floor.”
The girls’ coach Holly Maier was equally content with the effort on the part of her girls, despite the loss.
“The girls played with a lot of heart and hustle,” Maier said.
“Their defense is always improving and it great to see that they never gave up, even though they lost.”
The following night, both teams had a major challenge to surmount.
Both the Kings and the Queens lost to Central Alberta Christian High School teams, but only after putting up great resistance.
“The boys had a tough game,” said Bowie with reference to the trip to Lacombe.
“We lost, but the boys showed lots of heart and intensity for the whole game,” he added.
“As a coach, it is great to see your team never give up and stop trying until the final buzzer goes. It shows a lot of heart and character to keep fighting to the bitter end knowing that it will be a tough game.”
The Queens also lost to Lacombe but Maier said her players played a good game.
“We are a young team and have more to learn, but every game the girls are improving, and it makes a coach proud.”