Braves eye playoff berth

Times Editor

 

The Wheatland Braves control their own playoff destiny after going 3-0-1 against the team that is between them and the final playoff spot.

The local AA peewee team has taken seven of a possible eight points over the Foothills Bisons, the team they trail by one point, with two games in hand.

“After the start we had, I was wondering if we’d have a sniff at the playoffs,” said Braves head coach Keith Klemmensen. “I think the coaching staff identified early that playoffs would be a major challenge. It’s turning out to be exactly that. 

“We have a younger, smaller team, but they’re kind of manning up. I’m thinking if they keep their attitude and their effort, I think we’ll make playoffs. I really do.”

Despite having a tough time versus some of the upper echelon teams, the Braves have given a consistent, solid effort every night.

However, by playing the Bisons tough, they have given themselves a chance to make the post-season.

Once playoffs start, anything can happen.

“Absolutely there is that mentality,” said Klemmensen of playoff unpredictability. “I think that you always want to get better as you (head toward) the playoffs. You don’t want to be quite peaked at the end (of the regular season). You want to have it so you can keep building through the playoffs.”

However, the Braves need to produce the wins to get into the post-season dance. According to Klemmensen, the Braves are already in playoff mode.

“Almost every game is a must,” said the coach. “You can’t get looking at the schedule and saying ‘well, this should be a game we win and this should be a game we win.’

“The other thing that has helped us out is we’ve had some good, close games – (where) we didn’t get the win – against some of the top teams in the league that has really boosted the moral and the confidence.

“The kids know that they’re getting better. It’s not a bunch of BS I’m telling them. They know it.”