Spartans showing potential

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

The Strathmore Spartans high school boys basketball team has been showing tremendous improvement throughout the season and into their home tournament on Feb. 13-14.
The Spartans beat Drumheller to finish third in the tournament.
Head coach Kyle Larson liked what he saw from the boys throughout the games.
“We play up-tempo basketball and we are certainly at our very best when we were pressing and running out on the fast break,” said Larson. “Our overall team effort has been excellent and the boys seem to be improving every time we play.”
He felt that the boys delivered a very high competition level against province-ranked teams.
“The game against Ponoka, although a loss, was a positive. Ponoka is a provincially ranked team and to lose by only seven (59-52) was a very good showing,” said Larson. “It was a game that we had the lead for a lot of and have really started to show how good of a squad we can be.”
The Spartans have faired well in their tournaments so far this season and have held their own in each game.
“The season has been a very good one, the boys have fared quite well in the tournaments that we have been at, playing in the final or consolation final in all of them,” said Larson. “We have good work ethic and are very committed as a group. The boys are working hard and have been rewarded for their efforts this season.”
One strength that the boys have been able to use well is their size in the offensive zone.
“Despite not having a true 6’5″ type of post player, we have competed very well with our size inside,” said Larson. “The boys are tenacious and have rebounded very well as a team. It has been a pleasant surprise, but also something we are going to need to continue to work at.”
A weakness that could be improved upon is earning half court, as there does not seem to be the same tenacity compared to other areas of their game.
“We still need to focus on our half court defense, if we aren’t pressing we just don’t seem to have the same jump,” said Larson. “Our ball movement and passing continues to be another spot that we need to work on and strengthen.”
He also added that their aggressive style and passion has played a pivotal role in the team’s success.