Spartans split

Times Reporter   

 

Coach Ken Smith and the Strathmore High School (SHS) boys’ basketball team had their home opener on Dec. 11 against Holy Trinity Academy (HTA). A young squad, the SHS Spartans still have to perfect their game; they dropped to the HTA Knights 78-40.

“We’re a young team, a lot of Grade 10’s playing. They’re still learning,” Smith said. “What contributed to the loss was turning the ball over, thirty plus times. You’ve got to take care of the ball. You can’t win basketball games by turning the ball over that much.”

Smith’s goal as a team is to use their athleticism and size to be competitive against teams such as HTA. Gaining awareness on the court should help as well, with time.

“We just have to be in proper position. They weren’t blocking out. We need to take care of the ball coming up the floor – making good passes, and just good choices,” Smith said. “Having young guys, it’s the first time they’re playing, coming up from junior high and playing guys that big.”

The varsity boys worked on defense and taking care of the ball during practices, prior to their tournament in Lethbridge Dec. 14-15.

“We’ll also be working on executing our plays – we didn’t execute. When we did, we had good looks at the basket and opportunities – that was only a few times – from there, that’s what we’ve got to focus on,” Smith said.

SHS’s faced the Oilfields High School on Dec. 16, winning 55-51.