The Penhold Skyhawks have made history.
Seventeen minutes into the Penhold Skyhawks-Delburne Trojans girls basketball game on Dec. 10, Jenna Dudar scored the first basket in Skyhawks history.
“This is an important day,” said Mark Crawford, Penhold Crossing Secondary School principal. “This is our first basketball game in the new gymnasium and it represents our entry into high school athletics.”
At 6 p.m. the Skyhawks jump balled at centre court for the first time as part of the Central Alberta School Athletic Association (CASAA) against the Delburne Trojans.
The Trojans scored off the jump ball and quickly took control of the game with their aggressive play and more experienced players, seeming to effortlessly steal the ball and run down court to score baskets.
Down 18-0 at the end of the first quarter, the Skyhawks were unable to take advantage of opportunities to score while the Trojans were quick to monopolize on broken plays.
Seven minutes into the second quarter, Jenna sunk a shot from the left side of the hoop, which made the game 28-2 for the visiting team. The half ended with the Trojans up 28-4 on a second basket by the Skyhawks on a nice open shot.
Despite their best efforts and continual improvement from the team during the game, they fell 55-4 to the more veteran Trojans whose Grade 12 on court warrior, Janelle Volker was unstoppable.
“For many of our girls, this was their first competitive basketball game ever,” said Crawford. “Just wait until the end of the season, they won't look like the same team.”
The boys squad fell 53-35 to Delburne in their inaugural outing.
Meanwhile in other basketball action, the Innisfail High School Boys Cyclones (Junior Varsity) won 63-52 over their Hunting Hills High School counterparts and the girls lost 53-36.
Basketball action continues with the Innisfail High School teams going to Stettler for a tournament the weekend of Dec. 2 and a game on Dec. 15 against Wetaskiwin. Check the Innisfail High School athletic page for a full schedule of events at www.innisfailhighschool.ca.
Mark Crawford
"This is our first basketball game in the new gymnasium and it represents our entry into high school athletics."
