With five Grade 12s and a 6-foot-2 Grade 10 coming on board, the Springbank Community High School Phoenix varsity girls basketball team is primed to dominate the Rocky View Sports Association this season.
But nothing comes easy, as witnessed by their narrow 54-50 home-court win over the Cochrane High School Cobras. With both sides playing high-tempo, high-pressure opportunistic basketball, points were hard to come by.
“Every time these two teams get together the fans will always be treated to a tough, physical game of basketball where no lead is safe until the final buzzer,” said Cobras head coach Randy Peron.
But it’s Springbank’s experience that will help them through tough games like their Dec. 11 win over the visiting Cobras. With a senior backcourt featuring Lauren Armeneau and Alex Hayvren, and seniors Kamryn Brown, Hannah Medwid and Maya Parker running the offence, the Phoenix are in good shape. Add 6-foot-2 Grade 10 Nichole Brannan and returning Grade 11 guard Izzy Carrigan into the mix and you’ve got a potent side that’s going to be trouble all over the floor this season.
Kristen McNab led the Cobras in scoring with 18 points along with eight rebounds. Jodi Wilde scored 12 points. Leading rebounder Katrina Berube collected 13 boards and Maddie Cline grabbed eight.
The Cobras went undefeated at a tournament in Acme Dec. 14-15 to win the tourney title. The Cobras downed Drumheller 63-41, St. Anthony’s 98-15 and beat host Acme 48-29 in the final.