Three games played put the St. Augustine’s senior girl’s basketball team in fourth overall in the weekend tournament on Feb. 15 and 16 at St.A’s. The Queens started off strong in their game against the Bentley Panthers winning 57-19 with the top scorers being Katie Cire with 12 points, Taylor Braithwaite scored eight points and Katherine Bergum also sunk eight points.
Queen’s player Raeanne Wareham enjoyed the first game and believed that it helped them play as a team.
“The first game was easier, we had the advantage,” she said. “Being ahead in that game allowed for us to try shooting more and let us practice plays that we weren’t too comfortable with. Also, a lot of the younger girls got more playing time so that was kind of nice.”
The Queen’s second game against Buck Mountain resulted in a close game but a 46-44 lost. Cire was the top scorer with 18 points sinking five points in the last quarter and Cheyanne Hinkley had 10 points also scoring five points in the last quarter.
“It was so close,” said Carey Farnham. “There was a lot of adrenalin which made it really hard to focus. They were pretty aggressive and had a couple of really good players.”
Their most challenging game was their last match against Rundle College from Calgary, which they lost.
“We started off really well, they were all close games with some wins and some losses,” said Farnham. “By the end of the tournament we were getting tired and it seemed to be dragging on, but we tried our best.”
Wareham believes that the tournament has helped them realize what needs to be their focus for future games.
“We need to work on our man to man a lot, and also different defense plays,” she said. “We also learned we have to stay focused the whole time because after awhile the team kind of gave up.”
The tournament had a large turnout as many fans came to watch and cheer on the team. The gym was packed on the ground level and in the balcony. The crowd had pompoms and signs with the players’ numbers on it and relentlessly encouraged them on.
The support was appreciated by the team and helped keep up their energy and stamina.
“It can be a little distracting,” said Wareham. “But it does pump us up a lot and makes us feel really good that people are cheering us on.”
The team is currently in third in their league with a 4-2 record.
The Queen’s next game is against Rimbey on Feb. 27 and their goal is to compete strongly at the zone tournament the first weekend in March.