OLDS — The Olds Koinonia Christian School (OKCS) senior girls' basketball team continues to have an excellent season. The Royals, who are currently ranked first in the province among 1A schools, beat crosstown rivals École Olds High 62-36 on Feb. 26 in the Chinook's Edge School Athletic Association (CESAA) league final.
Coach Diane Sewell says the girls have really come together as a team recently.
"We lost a close game to Olds High early in the season," said Sewell. "At that time we were learning to work as a team and had a very slow first quarter. Last night (Feb. 26) my girls came out ready to play and had a great game."
Sewell said one of the biggest keys to victory was the team's strong defence.
"Faith Roy is an amazing defender and did a great job leading the team in shutting down the opponent's offence," she said. "Our team is starting to spread out the scoring so that helps on our offensive side."
OKCS has had a season record of 30 wins and only four losses, with those losses coming to one 2A school and three 3A schools.
The Royals host the South Central 1A Girls Zone Championships on March 13-14 at the school.
Sewell said the teams and draw have yet to be determined.
"My goal for this season is very simple: every game I say to the girls, 'I don't care what the scoreboard says. All I care about is that you play good basketball,'" she said. "I think this enables them to keep their heads in the game, keep their intensity, and do their very best. This is a team of girls who work very hard and play with all their hearts."
Sewell said the provincial rankings are always somewhat debatable because they have not played some of the strong teams in the southern zone.
"Being ranked first does add a little pressure but we don't talk about it much," she said. "Every game we play is the one that matters for the moment and we want to continue to improve our game every opportunity we get.
"The rankings are important as it determines the placement in the provincial tournament draw but beyond that, the girls really just need to play their very best and work together."
With all but two players from last year's provincial champion squad, the Royals will be looking to repeat, although Sewell says it's more important that the team just play good basketball.
"Our team strengths are a running-passing game and a strong defence," she said. "In the end, it's about having fun, working hard and thanking God for the abilities He has given us and for the opportunity to do something we love."
The OKCS junior girls' basketball team finished third in the CESAA league and is competing at the 1J (junior) zone championships on March 13-14.
The OKCS senior boys' squad finished fourth in CESAA league play and will be competing in 1A zone championships in Bassano on March 13-14.
The OKCS junior boys will be competing in the 1J zone championships in Airdrie on March 6-7.
