Spartans veterans to lead

Times Reporter 

 

Last season, the Strathmore High School Spartans finished seventh while hosting girls’ basketball provincials. However, with one of the toughest zones in the province, coach Dion Galandy and the seven returning players have their work cut out for them.

“To get out of our zone, means you’re a provincial caliber team. There are provincial caliber teams in our zone that don’t make it to provincials because our zone is so tough,” Galandy said. “Zones (last year) we didn’t do so well, we lost our second game, and then lost our third game. We were kind of out of it. We’re hoping to be a provincial caliber team this year.”

Three Grade 12’s and four Grade 11’s are the squad’s veterans, while three Grade 10’s round out the 10-woman roster.

“We’ve got some good players that are returning,” Galandy said. “We were second in the league last year, and lost in the semi finals. With all of our returning players, we’re maybe projected to be one of the top teams.”

Galandy mentioned starting with the basics will be key for their first exhibition tournament on Nov. 28 at SAIT.

“We’ll focus on fundamentals to begin with,” he said. “It’s always the fundamentals that make a difference. We’ll work on our team stuff – but shooting, dribbling, and passing are key to winning.”

The Spartans first season game is against Holy Trinity Academy at home on Dec. 11.

“It’ll be a good contest to gauge where we are,” Galandy said.