This week in local Chinook League basketball

Chris Davis and Toni Lucas, Pincher Creek Voice 

Halton Hawks vs Piikani
C. Davis photos/video

Local game of the week: Sr. Boys Hawks vs Piikani

Matthew Halton's Sr. Boys Hawks hosted Piikani on Wednesday evening, January 9.  The Hawks started off with only two subs, and were winless this season going into the game.   Piikani had NO subs.  The Hawks - last place in the Chinook League standings. Hawks' Graham Milligan was still sitting out, recovering from an injury until next week sometime.  (Milligan assisted from the bench and took on coaching duties for the latter part of the game.) Piikani - 5th out of a field of 8 in the standings.  There was no predicting the briskly paced exciting game that onlookers were treated to.

Hawks' Tiegan Lissel started the scoring out with two penalty shots.  Piikani made a series of great long passes to a man standing alone at the basket, working their way to a 19-11 lead at the end of the first quarter.  Piikani's Michael showed off his great long shot and Jesalo scored 7 points in the quarter.  Jack Dietze and Austin Sinclair of the Hawks uncorked in the second quarter scoring 8 points apiece. Hawks' Ferlin Crowshoe pulled off a couple of beautiful steals, breaking away and scoring. The Hawks tied it 23-23. Then 25-25. Then 27-27.  At the half the score was still tie,  at 29-29.

The Hawks made some headway against a tiring Piikani squad at the beginning of the third quarter, up 44-33 before Piikani got their groove back.  At the end of the third the Hawks were ahead by only 3 points, 50-47.  In the fourth quarter Piikani was down to 4 players after a foul-out.   Despite that they played like a full squad, and at 4:19 left in regular play the score again stood tied, this time at 59-59.  With 26 seconds left it was 69-67 for Piikani and still very much anybody's game.  Unbelievably, the Hawks made it back, and at the end of the fourth it was 69-69.

A five minute overtime period followed, and the pace was even faster than it had been before.  A Piikani spree had them up 79-72.  Then Jack Dietze of the Hawks scored 7 points in a row, ncluding penalty shots, bringing it to 81-80 for Piikani.  Unbelievably, at the buzzer it was still tied, 82-82.

A two minute double overtime period saw Piikani down to three players and the Hawks down to four, with everyone exhausted and yet still playing flat out.  Graham Milligan rallied his troops, as did Piikani coach Jonathan.  With 27 seconds left the Hawks were ahead 86-85 and Piikani was still battling hard to make up the difference.  It was down to three on three by this point.  Poetically, Austin Sinclair sealed the deal for the Hawks, sinking one more basket to bring the final score to 88-85.

Top scorers for the Hawks were Jack Dietze with 29 points, Austin Sinclair with 18 points, Tiegan Lissel with 15 points, and Ferlin Crow Shoe with 13 points.  Top scores for Piikani were Jesalo with 30 points, Michael with 21 points, Fred with 12 points, Cole with 11 points, and CJ with 10 points.  Piikani proved themselves to be the team to beat when it comes to pure stamina.  The Hawks walked away with their first victory of the season, and it was hard-earned.

Dragons vs Panthers
C. Davis photos/video

Sr. Boys Basketball: Dragons defeat Panthers

St. Michael's Sr. Boys Dragons hosted the Crowsnest Panthers at the Dale Wentz Memorial Gymnasium on Monday evening, January 7.

The Dragons have been on a winning streak again this season, and this game was no exception.  They dominated the first quarter 24-5, with Dragons Sam Parkinson scoring 8 points and  Gabe Rainford with 7 points.  The second quarter was much more evenly matched.  Panthers' Carson Gunn led his team's charge in the second quarter, scoring 8 points, and the two teams were much closer matched for the quarter, which ended with the Dragons still ahead by a definitive 39-17 score at the half.

In the third quarter Dragons' Kory Geddes scored 14 points, helping his team build on that lead.  In the final quarter it was Nathan Bruder's turn, scoring 15 points for the Dragons.  Dragons' Gabe Rainford scored consistently in the first, second, and final quarters as well.

Top scorers for the Dragons were Nathan Bruder with 26 points, Kory Geddes with 24 points, and Gabe Rainford with 19 points.  Top scorers for the Panthers were Carson Gunn with 14 points, Josh Schulz with 12 points, and Josh Schuh with 8 points.

Final score: Dragons 84, Panthers 46

Sabres vs Hawks
T. Lucas photos/videos

Sr. Girls Basketball: Sabres defeat Hawks

Matthew Halton's Sr. Girls Hawks basketball team hosted the Livingstone Sabres on Monday evening, January 7. The Hawks struggled in this game, with the Sabres coming close to doubling them on the scoreboard in every quarter.  Top scorers for the Sabres were Raelyn Rutledge and Reagan Bousquet with 14 points each.  Top scorer for the Hawks was Alyssa Barbero with 12 points.

Final score: Sabres 57, Hawks 30

Dragons vs Sabres
C. Davis photos/video

Sr. Girls Basketball: Dragons defeat Pandas

St. Michael's Sr. Girls Dragons hosted the Crowsnest Pandas on Monday evening, January 7 at the Dale Wentz Memorial Gymnasium.  The Dragons dominated the first two quarters, with the score sitting at 37-19 in their favor at the half.  The Pandas really picked up their game in the second half.  They outscored the Dragons 12-10 in the third quarter and tied them 16-16 in the final quarter.

Top scorers for the Dragons were Elise Wocknitz with 20 points and Tamara Parkin with 10 points.  Top scorers for the Pandas were Meaghan Flannery with 14 points and Dakota LaDuke and Allison Farfers with 8 points each.

Final score: Dragons 63, Pandas 47

Sabres vs Hawks
T. Lucas photos/video

Sr. Boys Basketball: Sabres defeat Hawks

Matthew Halton's Sr. Boys Hawks basketball team hosted the Livingstone Sabres on Monday evening, January 7. The game was a very one-sided affair, with the Sabres dominating all four quarters.   Top scorers for the Sabres were Aaron Brown with 32 points, Morgan Cook with 30 points, and Cord Delinte with 22 points.  Top scorer for the Hawks was Austin Sinclair with 13 points.

Final score: Sabres 108, Hawks 35

Hawks vs Raiders
C. Davis photo/video

Sr. Girls Basketball: Hawks vs JTF Raiders

Matthew Halton's Sr. Girls Hawks hosted the J.T. Foster Raiders on Wednesday evening, January 9.  The Hawks got it together for this game, ultimately defeating the Raiders 58-26.

Alberta Schools Athletic Association rankings
St. Michael's Sr. Girls Dragons are in third place in the ASAA 1A rankings for the first ranking period, with Livingstone's Sr. Girls Sabres in fourth.  St. Michael's Sr. Boys Dragons received an honorable mention.

Chinook League standings as of January 8, 2013
(* as if January 9 - unofficial)

Boys

St Mikes - 5 wins, 0 losses
Livingstone - 5 wins, 1 loss
Coalhurst - 4 wins, 1 losses
Nobleford - 3 wins, 2 losses
Piikani - 5 wins, 3 losses *
Vulcan - 1 win, 4 losses
Crowsnest - 1 wins, 4 losses
M. Halton - 1 win, 6 losses*

Girls

St Mikes - 5 wins, 0 losses
Livingstone - 5 wins, 1 loss
M. Halton - 4 wins, 3 losses*
Coalhurst - 3 wins, 2 losses
JT Foster - 2 wins, 3 losses*
Crowsnest - 2 wins, 4 losses
Nobleford - 1 win, 5 losses
Vulcan - 0 wins, 5 losses

Coming up:  The Harlem Crowns will be taking on the Halton Hawks Sr. Boys on Friday, January 11.  Game time is 7 pm at Matthew Halton School's gym.

Local basketball will be taking a breather until exams are finished.

Top scorers to date (click here)

Related link/source: Chinook Basketball website (click here)