Tuesday and Wednesday were crucial days for the Olds High School Spartans senior boys' basketball team.
During these two days they played a kind of double knockout series against Cochrane and Bert Church High School in Airdire.
"You keep playing until you lose two," said Spartans head coach Kent Lorenz. "Tuesday is our first game and whether we win or lose that we play again on Wednesday. And then if we win that, we go on. If we lose, we're done, kind of thing."
He admited it would be tough. Schools in larger communities like Cochrane and Airdrie tend to have far more kids and thus teams have more kids to choose from. Many of those kids also play club basketball, so they have lots of experience.
This season has been a challenging one for the Spartans.
"We sort of ended up with a .500 season with our wins and losses. And we've had some really close losses as of late," Lorenz says.
"I would say the last 10 games we've played have been all that close," Lorenz says.
A couple of weeks ago, they lost by two points back to back in a couple of games in Calgary. Before that, they lost an overtime game in a tournament against Ponoka a few weeks ago.
"So we've been playing a lot of close games, which is good for the kids, to learn how to play under pressure. But it's also -- it's hard on them because, you know, there's a lot of thinking," he adds.
In those tight games, players get nervous, Lorenz notes. He compares the situation to hockey, when players "grip the hockey stick too tight and it doesn't go too well."
"A lot of those layups or free throws you'd normally make, you're nervous, and they don't go in and it's a big difference in whether you win or lose," he says.
The Chinook's Edge league final Feb. 27 against the Olds Koinonia Christian School (OKCS) Royals was typical. The game was close virtually the whole way, with the lead changing hands constantly. Finally at the end, the Royals pulled away a bit to win 58-55.
"We were up by a few going into the last couple of minutes and they had a couple of threes back to back," Lorenz says. "We had a couple of calls go the wrong way against us and we missed some free throws here and there and that's all it takes. It doesn't take much when a game's close like that."
"We've had really good games with them all year. We split the season series," Lorenz says.
"We just got tired and didn't move our feet. And we got our hands in the way and stuff and took some fouls where normally we'd move our feet and be able to close lanes down when they're driving," Lorenz says.
"When you get tired and you don't move your feet you get blocking calls usually called against you."
Ken Terpstra of OKCS agrees the Feb. 27 game was exciting.
He describes that Chinook’s Edge South Athletic Association (CESAA ) final as a "classic."
"(It was) a close game with multiple lead changes, great battles for rebounds from both teams, and some clutch shooting from both teams as well," Terpstra says.
"Our boys always enjoy playing Olds High," he adds, noting a "friendly rivalry" has been built up between the two teams over the years.
"I think we push each other hard which is great to see," Terpstra says.
Lorenz wishes the Royals all the best as they go into the playoffs this week.
"They're a really good team, like they have a great program, really good coaches out there. The kids really buy in to what they're doing and it's a big part of their success," he says. "Hopefully they can advance and go to provincials again and stuff."
When the Spartans' season does end, Lorenz will lose almost his entire team because most of the team consists of Grade 12s with some Grade 11s and a Grade 10 player.
"I will lose all but four," he says. "It's been a lot of fun. The kids have been working hard and I'm never disappointed with the kids, they always try their best. That's all I can ask."
The Royals are now preparing for zones March 8-9 in Rosemary, which is northwest of Brooks. From there, they hope to qualify for provincials March 14-16 in Stirling, which is half an hour southeast of Lethbridge.
When their season ends, they'll lose eight Grade 12s, but eight players will be coming back, and nine Grade 9s are expected to join them.
"So (we'll still) be very strong in numbers, " Terpstra says.
