CARSTAIRS-DIDSBURY - A couple of girls' basketball teams from the area are getting ready for zone playoffs after doing well in league play.
The Hugh Sutherland (HSS) JV girls' basketball team were crowned league champs on Feb. 27 after beating Cremona 51-49 in the league final.
The HSS Kodiaks came from third place in the regular season and beat Olds JV to put them into the final game.
Kodiaks head coach Amber Pedlar said the final against Cremona was a tight game all the way.
“It was a real nail-biter,” said Pedlar. “Cremona led by three at one point, that was the biggest lead. It was back and forth all game.”
HSS will be heading to Canmore this weekend for the zone championships.
Pedlar said the team really improved throughout the year.
“The players’ speed and intensity have improved,” she said. “They are starting to understand how to play a game hard and more controlled. We still have plenty of room for improvement but I’m very excited to work for the future with this group.”
The Kodiaks hosted a tournament this past weekend at HSS with two other teams, Olds and Duchess.
The Olds JV girls ended up winning the tournament beating the host Kodiaks and the Duchess Eagles twice.
The Didsbury Dragons girls' senior varsity team will be hosting South Central zone playoffs this weekend at Didsbury High School (DHS).
The Dragons have gone 23-7 so far this season and head into zones ranked first.
Head coach Laura Hooson said the team's goal from the start of the season has been to win zones and make it to provincials.
"We have been working on defensive systems and some new offensive systems moving into zones," said Hooson.
The Dragons face Olds Koinonia Christian School (OKCS) on March 6 in the senior girls' league final at OKCS.
The first game at the zone tournament for Didsbury is Friday (March 8) at 2:30 p.m. versus Banff. The winner of that game will play the winner of the #4 Oilfields versus #5 Drumheller at noon on Saturday. The final goes Saturday at 7 p.m. All games are at DHS.
Hooson said everyone is invited to come cheer the girls on as they look to make provincials.
Forward Mackenzie Hooson is one of the senior leaders on the Dragons and she says the team is playing well together and peaking at the right time.
"The season has been going really well for us," said Mackenzie. "We work really well as a team, which has helped us secure many wins. Our team works incredibly well as a team. We are constantly fast breaking, which adds to the scoring."
Mackenzie said the team is hoping to use their speed to good advantage at zones.
"We are hoping to win the championship to head to provincials in La Crete," she said. "We need to work hard as a team to accomplish these goals."
Hooson is hoping to play post-secondary basketball but has not chosen a school.
"I have received several offers but narrowing down the choices is a hard task," she said.
