Hawks take second place

Times Reporter

 

The sound of basketballs dribbling across the gym floor once again filled the halls of Holy Cross Collegiate Jan. 21-22. The Jr. A Boys Hawks hosted a tournament, placing second after a loss to Bow Valley in the finals. 

“Overall it was a really good tournament. The competition was really strong, especially on the winning side. All of the games on Saturday were really close games and really competitive games, so that was good,” said coach Jenni Annicchiarico. 

The season technically started at the end of November, and the boys played in only one tournament in Olds before the Christmas break. The league games started after Christmas, and Annicchiarico said they have played two tournaments since Christmas with three to go. For league play, the team has only had two games. Annicchiarico said the tournaments have become progressively more difficult. 

“It’s been really exciting to see the boys elevate their level of play. They have been improving significantly throughout the year,” she said. 

They only had three returning boys from last year’s team, but Annicchiarico says that hasn’t affected the team. 

“We’ve been doing really well and the boys have been really working hard at practice, and have stepped it up when they have been playing some of the better teams, so that has been really good to see,” said Annicchiarico.

She said they have been working at trying to develop different types of defence depending on which team they are playing. 

“We’re a really fast team, but we’re really just trying to work to adapt to fit different styles of offence that we come into contact with,” she said. 

The Hawks are still working on their teamwork and finding their ability to balance their scoring so that it’s not centered on the same few guys. 

“Definitely the highlight would have been our game against the Brooks Senior High. The boys played fantastic defense and one of our boys, Michael Pringle, got 26 points. So he had a phenomenal game. Everyone on the team was able to step it up. All eleven guys came in with the sense of intensity that was needed for that type of game,” said Annicchiarico of the weekend. 

The Hawks are play against Crowther Memorial Junior High on Feb. 3, at 4 p.m. Annicchiarico said it will definitely be a great game to see.