For the Townsman
Mount Baker Sr. Girls Basketball opened their season with the Division 4 Invitational Tournament in Calgary.
The Wild started the tournament against the eventual winners St. Francis High School out of Calgary. Unfortunately, the Wild were without starting post player Rachel Hubick, so match ups were difficult. The team battled hard but could not stop the athletic and quick team from St. Francis and dropped the opener 81-53. The Wild were led by the shooting of Sydney Marlow who continued to be a deep threat all weekend shooting 40 per cent from the 3-point line.
Game 2 saw the Wild match up against Forest Lawn High School from Calgary. The Wild were definitely the better team and easily handled the Forest Lawn team defeating them 72-26.
The Cranbrook squad followed up that game with a decisive victory over Bishop McNally, dominating from tip-off until the final buzzer, with a final score of 74-47.
The Wild were then into the consolation final where they took on Swift Current High School, and started the game strong with several baskets inside from their post position. Swift Current made some adjustments to deal with the inside game but the Wild responded with great outside shooting. At the half the Wild had a 15 point lead.
The third quarter saw a surge from the Wild as they grew the lead to 26 points. In the fourth quarter Swift Current again made some adjustments and came out flying with a 20-2 run that narrowed the lead to just 7. After a timeout the Wild re-grouped and took over control of the game.
The final score was 63-50 in favour of the Wild.
“That was a tough game” said coach Al Nutini. “Even when it was a 26 point lead you knew it wasn’t safe, they were explosive and their small guard was quick and slashed hard at the basket.”
The week ahead sees the Wild squad serving tables on Wednesday, Dec.7, between 5-9 p.m. at East Side Mario’s as a fund raising event for their trip to Phoenix for a Christmas Tournament. If you are interested in a meal out certainly the team would love to have your support.
On Friday the 9 they return to action at home against Elkford Secondary at 12 noon. They will then be bagging groceries at Superstore that evening as another fundraiser for the season.
On Saturday, Dec. 10, they return to action against David Thompson from Invermere at 10 a.m. All games will be played in the DEN at Mount Baker.
On Sunday, Dec. 11, the team will be volunteering at the East Kootenay PARTY Program Kids Christmas Shopping Party. The players are dressed as elves and assist young children in shopping and wrapping gifts for family and friends.
The following weekend, December 16-17, the Wild will be back in Calgary to attend the Bishop Carroll Cardinal Classic.