Spartans short benched heading down the stretch

Times Reporter   

 

The Strathmore High School (SHS) Spartan girls are number one in the Zone, and seventh in the province on the basketball court; however, for the upcoming league playoffs, they’re expected to have only six or seven healthy players.

“Anywhere from sickness to ankles to knees,” SHS coach Dion Galandy said of his squad’s injuries. “It’s not the best time to have them, but it’s also giving the other kids that don’t play as much some much needed experience if we get into foul trouble down the road.”

Galandy mentioned that one of his Grade 10 girls is out for the year.

“It’s not as impactful to us, or as impactful to her either,” he said, as she will play in future years. “But, it’s still not good.”

The girls began league playoffs on March 5, before the time of print. As the second seeded team in league play, they faced third seeded Holy Trinity Academy – who are within top ten in the province as well. The winner will challenge either first place Foothills Composite High School or fourth place Highwood High School on March 8.

In the Spartans last league game of the season, they were defeated by Foothills Composite at home, by a score of 69-46 on Feb. 27.

“They took over in the second half. We’re still injured with a short bench there. I think they ran out of steam,” Galandy said. “It wasn’t really an important game because it didn’t actually do anything for the standings. It didn’t make a difference. We didn’t put a lot of importance on that game.”

Galandy and the girls traveled to number one 2A Rundle College on Feb. 28 and March 1 for two exhibition games – but only had seven healthy girls, and lost both matches.

“We’re hoping to have eight back for next week’s Zones. If we had nine, that would be great,” Galandy said.

As a top seeded team, they will host their first game for Zones on March 12.