CARSTAIRS-DIDSBURY - The 2018-19 high school basketball season started this week with games taking place across the region.
On Nov. 27 the Didsbury High School (DHS) Dragons senior varsity girls team beat a younger team from Bert Church in Airdrie by a large margin.
The Dragons then travelled to Strathmore to play in the Holy Cross tournament. DHS beat the host team 78-24 in the first game.
The Dragons followed that up with a 68-40 win over Prairie Christian Academy from Three HIlls in the semifinals. In the final game, DHS overcame Hanna 66-56 to win the gold.
Mackenzie Hooson led the team over the weekend with 80 total points in the three tournament games. C.J. Buchan and Jocelyn LeClaire added 24 points each over the weekend.
"The team is looking strong so far," said DHS coach Laura Hooson. "We have good numbers this year with a lot of scoring depth. We're looking to keep pushing and getting better every day."
The Dragons are on the road on Dec. 10 against W.G. Murdoch in Crossfield and play at home Dec. 12 against Olds High School.
On Nov. 27 the Hugh Sutherland School (HSS) junior varsity teams played their first games of the year at home.
The JV girls came from behind to defeat their Olds High opponents 71-59.
Head coach Amber Pedlar said the team came out nervous and hesitant to start but picked it up in the second half.
"We were able to come back from a 10-point deficit to get a 10-point lead and a win," said Pedlar. "The girls turned the game around with hard work and persistence. They played hard defence causing Olds to have numerous turnovers allowing for us to take the lead."
The HSS JV boys lost a tough one to a team from George MacDougall High in Airdrie.
"I thought we played well," said coach Travis Butt. "We had some amazing passes from our point guard and we were dominant in the post."
Butt said the season looks promising for the Kodiak boys.
"I think we'll be a competitive team," he said. "Practices have been a lot of running and learning our offence and defence. Our goal for the season is have mental stability on the court."
Both HSS JV teams host Olds in league action tonight (Dec. 3). As well, both Kodiak teams are playing in the Olds JV tournament this weekend starting Friday.
