Senior hoops girls finding their game

INNISFAIL - The senior girls basketball team at Innisfail High School is working hard to find success on the court this season.

"We're struggling a little bit but we've got some very inexperienced basketball players that are coming along really quite well," said Derek Baird, head coach of the senior girls basketball team.

It's been a tough season for the team, but one with a steep learning curve and plenty of effort.

"We've had some growing pains," he added. "Four of the teams that are in our zone happen to be provincially ranked. We played those four teams in our first four games of the season," said Baird. "The most we lost was by 15 points and some of the games were by seven points, so we've improved."

The team currently has a record of seven wins and seven losses (7-7-0) at the halfway mark of the season, and sits in fifth place out of nine teams in the league.

Their hard work is paying off.

One of the highlights of their season came at a tournament in mid-January where Innisfail took top spot and brought home the gold medal.

"Our best performance so far was at the Central Alberta Christian High School Tournament in Lacombe," said Baird. "It was good. Everybody got to play," he said, noting another recent tournament in Olds where they played some stronger teams and lost but saw some improvement.

"I was very encouraged by their play and how they teamed up during this time. It was good."

The team continues to move forward although it has not been an easy season, and with many new players on the squad this year Baird said his team is in tough but is hoping to make playoffs.

"They certainly are learning how to win," he said, adding that he wants to see greater focus on skills development.

Despite the struggles Baird wants his team to have fun and stay positive.

"They get along really well. The Grade 12 players are mentoring the grade 10 and 11 players. That's what sports is all about," said Baird. "We play with what we have and they give it their best."