Senior Girls basketball: Dragons defeat Hawks

Toni Lucas

Team spirit was in evidence throughout the final game of the regular season for the match held at St. Michael's in Pincher Creek on Monday, March 3. The Senior Girls and Senior Boys Dragons hosted their hometown counterparts, the Hawks, for one final league game each. There was a wisp of nostalgia for the season that was about to end, and for those that are about to graduate in June, to play no more basketball seasons for their respective teams.

Dynasty the Dragon showered candy freely to those in the stands, posters were displayed, face paint was in evidence. This was a great way to end the season. Although one might think the two teams would hold a deep and abiding rivalry, usually the games between the two schools are friendly. Many basketball adversaries play together on the same team at other times throughout the year. Austin Parker painted himself red and blue, cheering on friends and good plays. Ashley Higginbotham revealed herself to be a co-conspirator, being caught red-and-blue handed:

Austin Parker and Ashley Higgenbotham

Senior Girls:  Dragons 52, Hawks 31

The Senior Girls game was preceded by a brief ceremony. Dragons Senior Girls Coaches John Lowry and Sally Woodard said goodbye to their students that will be graduating this year, including Carlee Fitzpatrick, Tamara Parkin, Amelia Woodard, and Sarah Wittkopf. Each of them were given a gift bag in thanks for their contributions to the team.

Then the two teams hit the court. Although the competition was friendly, it was still a game that each wanted to win. Dragon Rebecca Lowry quickly put the first points up on the board, followed by Jayden Kennedy, Tamara Parkin, and Carlee Fitzpatrick, netting 8 points before Hawk Alyssa Barbero put the next three points on the board, the only three points the Hawks were to make in the first quarter. The Dragons were ahead 12 - 3 by the end of the first.

By the end of the third quarter the Dragons had an impressive lead of 45 - 19. Dykota Letourneau scored 6 points in the game, and Jayden Kennedy was showing some good defensive skills of the Dragons. The Hawks Alissa Bonertz was playing well, making a number of her shots, and Kate Nicas held a strong defense throughout the game.

High scorers for the game were Dragon Rebecca Lowry and Hawk Dakota Van Loon with 14 points each.

The Hawks recovered some ground in the final quarter, with the game ending 52 - 31 for the Dragons.

"From about the four minute mark in the second quarter to the end of the game, we outplayed them," said Hawks Coach Randy Whitehead. "We just started off too slow. Mentally, they got down, so I'm glad that they bounced back up and finished off on a good note. That's a positive going into this weekend where we're going to see them again in the semi finals, most likely."

The Senior Post Season Basketball Tournament is upcoming at St. Michael's and Matthew Halton on March 7 - 8.

"No matter what this game, we were going to finish second/third," continued Whitehead.  "They get second, we get third. We are going to see each other in the semis, most likely. Going into this game we knew no matter what, we were going to see them again on the weekend."

"I'm happy with the overall team performance. I had a bunch of individuals, we had a bunch of rookies, five grade 10's. We have done a lot of work to break some bad habits they picked up in junior high, so I'm pleased to see it start paying off. The little mistakes are starting to be reduced, which is good to see. There's improved habits, and good mechanics. Other than that just overall team hustle has been improving all year, which I'm happy about. The biggest thing has been our mental game. Every game this year we have five minutes, a quarter, where we do stupid stuff, and that's slowly being reduced. They know what I mean when I say stupid stuff. We made some dumb mistakes. Mentally, they just aren't in it. That's reducing, and that's good to see."

Whitehead is happy to have had the chance to coach the two soon-to-be graduates on his team, Dakota Van Loon and Alyssa Barbero.   "They have been great this year. Their leadership has been good. Dakota has been awesome for us in the long run. Started off slow, but the last half dozen games Dakota's been just dynamite for us."

Speaking of the rivalry between the two teams, "Everyone just kind of gets along," said Dragons Team Captain Tamara Parkin after the game. "It was a fun game. It's all your friends, and no one really gets hurt feelings." Underscoring that message Parkin was wearing her Hawks Rugby shirt. "We just have post season this weekend, at St. Mikes and Halton, then Zones next week. We placed 6th right now, so we play probably Foremost or Bow Island. It'll be a tight game, but hopefully it'll turn out."

"The season was really good. I didn't have a clue going in what we would be able to expect. We had young girls that had not really played a lot, we all came together really well. We're peaking right now, which is a good time to peak."

"I started playing when I was in grade 6, my sisters all played, so I got into it early," explained Parkin. "My Junior High years were not good, In grade 8 we got third in Zones, so not too bad. Every second year we have some really good players. My grade 9 year, I got to play up on the senior team. We got to play at Provincials, and winning at Provincials, and that was pretty awesome. High School has been fun, to play with all the girls I've known since Junior High." She was pragmatic about the end of league basketball being so close. "Four of us go into rugby, there's badminton, and club basketball starts in April."