The Leduc Composite High School Tigers girls basketball team is hitting its stride as the post-season approaches.
Assistant coach Dan Reitz said the girls have had their ups and downs, but the team has been playing better and better as the season goes on. “The season has been pretty solid,” said Reitz by phone Feb. 17. “To be honest, in the last week or so I think we’ve played some of our best ball of the year,” he added.
He noted the team has been cutting down on problems like unforced errors, and reaped the benefits: more points on the scoreboard and more wins. Reitz said it looks like the girls are peaking at the right time.
Reitz saying playing in division 1 means brining their “A” game every day, as the competition is so intense a lackluster effort won’t cut it.
LCHS is currently in sixth place, with a 5-5 record in league play and, as of Feb. 11, two games left. LCHS was to face Bev Facey Feb. 11, a team one game ahead of LCHS in the standings. “So, a huge game,” said Reitz.
He noted playoffs start Feb. 29 and the league utilizes a seeding formula, so finishing the season strong and climbing the rankings will help the team. But Reitz said the girls are ready for playoffs regardless. “If we play well, we can play with anyone,” said Reitz.
He said the coaching situation has been successful as well. Reitz said he and assistant coach Cassia May have had a great year, and a number of players have spent up to six years with coach Mark May, who Reitz described as demanding a competitive team.
The LCHS girls attended the Battle River Shoot-out tourney in Wetaskiwin this past weekend. The LCHS Tigers faced the Barrhead Gryphons Friday and topped them with a 78-18 win. Reitz said Barrhead was very young and inexperienced. “We played everyone and everyone contributed but not the greatest game in terms of a showcase for our abilities as a team,” he said.
The semi-final saw the Tigers take on a tough Medicine Hat McCoy team, ranked #2 3A. The Tigers lost a close 49-59 game. “Great game,” said Reitz. “Back and forth, both teams contained each other’s offence fairly well, tied after three quarters, the fourth quarter saw sharper shooting by McCoy, which eventually won the tournament beating Wetaskiwin in the final. Probably our best game of the weekend.”
The bronze medal game saw LCHS take on Holy Trinity Academy from Okotoks, ranked 7th in 3A. The Tigers won win 71-39. “We played well but HTA was shorthanded and ran out of gas, especially in the fourth quarter,” said Reitz. “Again we played well, keeping steady pressure on them and cycling our bench onto the court.”
Reitz noted the girls will likely be fifth in the 13 team Div 1 Metro League and play fourth place Paul Kane of St. Albert on Monday Feb. 29.