Rebels girls earn consolation title

By Greg Price
Taber Times
gprice@tabertimes.com

W.R. Myers Rebels senior varsity girls basketball team earned the consolation championship in a Cardston tournament this past weekend.

The Rebels were pushed to the consolation side with a tough first-round opponent, as the team fell 67-55 to Centennial High out of Calgary, last year’s 4A provincial champion.

“We knew we would have our hands full against this team. We came out quite slow which led to a quick 13-point lead for Centennial. We had to fight back which we did and were only behind by four at the half,” said Kenney Wood, head coach of the W.R. Myers Rebels varsity girls basketball team, adding the Rebels actually had a one-point lead well into the fourth quarter. “With time running out, we had to foul to get the ball back and unfortunately for us they were solid from the foul line. We ended up losing by 12, but it was really a one-point game. Centennial would go on to win the tournament, with our game being the closest game they had.”

Kitawna Sparks had the double-double of 22 points and 15 rebounds. Austen Robbins hit for 12 points and Dani Wright chipped in 10.

The Rebels bounced back with a 76-62 victory over Immanuel Christian.

“We came out ready in this game and were able to get a lead right away and never looked back. We were able to move the ball very well which lead to some easy hoops,” said Wood. “Immanuel Christian is a very tall team, so it was tough to box them out, but in the end we stopped them on defence and were able to have a number of our girls play very well. We just had too many girls that were putting the ball in the hoop for them to defend.”

Sparks had a team-high 19 points and Emily Hoyt poured in 15 points. Anika Steed contributed 12 points and Sophie Simek added 10.

The Rebels cruised to 77-58 consolation championship victory over Foothills Falcons, building up a 20-point lead by half-time.

“We were again able to get off to a great start and were up by almost 20 points by the half. Everyone played extremely well and it seemed that some senior players are getting their form back from where they left off last year as zone and provincial champs,” said Wood. “We were able to run quite a bit in this game and got some wonderful fast break opportunities which we converted into lay-ups. Brandon, Marty and I are very pleased so far, there are always things that can improve, but the girls seem to be responding and are working hard at doing those things that they can do to help the team get better.”

Alex Haller was leading scorer with 20 points. Sparks had 18 points to go with 12 rebounds and Steed chipped in 12 points.

Earlier in the week, the Rebels suffered a 64-59 loss to Medicine Hat Kwahommies in Southern Alberta High School Girls Basketball League play last Wednesday.

“After playing them four days prior to this game, it was no surprise for either team what we were trying to do. Medicine Hat is a good team and it’s difficult to beat a good team back to back,” said Wood. “We kept the game close all the way and had a few opportunities near the end to take the lead, but just could not get it done. It was a tough game and one that we learned from. We are getting better at taking care of the basketball and understanding that turnovers, especially ones at the end of the game, will determine a win or a loss.”

Steed (11 points 11 rebounds) and Sparks (10 points 15 rebounds) both registered double-doubles. Robbins hit for 12 points.

W.R. Myers Rebels varsity girls basketball team travels to Winston Churchill for a game today and LCI on Thursday, and have another road game on Jan. 9.