It's always said that defence wins championships and the Spartans are getting some help tightening theirs up before hosting the ASAA 3A basketball provincials.
Broncos women's basketball coaches Reg Carrick and Jen Donofrio have been teaching the senior girls team a 1-3-1 scheme that's used at the college level.
"We love to work with young, talented basketball players that want to get better. The coaches approached us and we're really excited to work and help our community," Donofrio said.
Spartans guard Janelle Graham said there aren't any online resources that teach this strategy.
"It's a super, super, aggressive defence that turns into offence. It's not like anything else."
Donofrio didn't want to give away her playbook. But how the Spartans practised the set would suggest that the aim is to force ballhandlers into making a play — into opponents' hands, creating turnovers that are converted into fast-break points.
"I think the key to any defence is ball pressure. Our 1-3-1 really relies on ball pressure. It's a different look than what people are accustomed to but with high intensity and ball pressure, it really helps teams generate offence," she said.
"I think they're pretty strong at this level … I'm not sure what it's like provincially but I think if they keep working hard, they have a shot to do well."
"We love to work with young, talented basketball players that want to get better. The coaches approached us and we're really excited to work and help our community." JEN DONOFRIO, Broncos women's basketball director of operations
