Countdown to March Madness for SHS

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By Patrick Price Times Contributor

Both Strathmore High School Spartans senior varsity basketball teams have had success through the regular season.
But the real season, the playoffs, commences this week, and the countdown to March Madness begins.
“We play in the Foothills Division,” said senior boys’ coach, Matthew Laslo. “Although, the meaningful games have been in tournament play where we have played the bigger schools, the 4A teams, and we have had success. We have won one tournament and finished second in two tournaments. We lost a buzzer-beater last night (Feb. 26) to HTA (Holy Trinity Academy). They scored a three-pointer with less than two seconds left to win the game.”
Despite beating some of the larger 4A teams this season, the Strathmore squad has received little respect as far as rankings are concerned. The team finally cracked the Top 10 recently and is now ranked eighth in the 3A division in the province, according to Alberta Schools Athletic Association (ASAA). Whereas the girls’ senior varsity team has been ranked eighth in the province all season long.
“It has been somewhat of a mystery,” Laslo stated. “We have beaten some higher ranked teams, in higher divisions, and we have lost some real close games to these teams in tournaments. Although, in a way it has been good not to be ranked and be the underdog team. The girls have been ranked eighth all year long. They have a great team, and they will next year as they only have two graduating this year.”
The Strathmore High School teams are blessed with size, have a hard-working discipline, and both teams love the running game. Part of the success of both teams is partially due to the passion and dedication from their coaches, Matthew Laslo and Kyle Larson, the latter who coaches the girls’ team and is the principal of Strathmore High School. The pair also organize and run a basketball league (Wheatland Wildfire) in the spring in Strathmore. The fruits of their labours are paying dividends in the talents of the players, not just at the high school, but in the community itself.
“This is a phenomenal group,” Laslo excitedly imparted concerning the boys’ team. “They are such nice kids. These last two years have been a coach’s dream.”
The core of the boys’ team has played together since Grade 7, and Laslo has coached the group in junior and senior.
“The game has changed so much since I played,” said Laslo, who grew up in Strathmore and played b-ball for Strathmore High. “Now, three pointers are a big part of the game, and most of these kids can hit a three pointer.”
March Madness commenced March 4, when Strathmore hosted a divisional playoff game at 5:30 p.m. (results were too late for this edition of the Times).
“I think we are playing Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School,” said Laslo. “We have played them twice this season and beat them both times by something like 50 points.”
Local fans are in for a real treat as the girls’ team hosts the south central zone playoffs March 13-14, and the boys host the 3A provincials March 19-21.
“We have great fans and I am sure the stands will be packed,” said Laslo. “They are loud and boisterous. The girl’s main opposition in the zones will be Brooks, who have been ranked third in the province. Our main opposition will be Cochrane, who are hosting the zones. But I believe anyone in the Top 12 can beat anyone at any given time in the province.”