If the Olds High senior basketball teams want to emerge victorious from this weekend's Spartan Classic basketball tournament, they'll have to overcome some top teams.
For the first time both the boys and girls draws will be held the same weekend, bringing 14 teams from out of town in addition to the home-standing Spartan squads.
Joining the Spartan girls for the two-day tourney that starts on Friday afternoon is Lacombe, Calgary's Central Memorial, Springbank, St. Joseph's Collegiate of Brooks, Fort Macleod's F.P. Walshe High and Brooks Composite.
Brooks comes in as the highest ranked team in the draw with a 5th place ranking in the Alberta Schools' Athletic Association (ASAA) rankings for 3A schools. Springbank is an honourable mention in the 3A rankings while St. Joeseph's is an honourable mention among 2A sized schools.
The Olds girls will tip off their tournament on Friday at noon against the Lacombe Rams at the Frank Grisdale Hall gymnasium. The championship game is set for 5:30 p.m. on Saturday at the main court at the Ralph Klein Centre.
Meanwhile, the boys draw will see Sundre, Airdrie's George McDougall, Rundle College of Calgary, Okotoks' Holy Trinity Academy, H.J. Cody of Sylvan Lake, Rocky's West Central High School and Brooks Composite all in town to take on the Spartans.
Brooks is the only ranked team in the field, holding the number 7 position in the 3A boys ASAA poll. Both Holy Trinity and George McDougall are honourable mentions in the same poll.
Olds begins play at 3:45 p.m. against H.J. Cody at the main court of the Ralph Klein Centre. The boys' final is set for 7:30 p.m. at the main court on Saturday.
The tournament will be the first action for both Spartan squads since breaking from league and tournament play for final exams.
