W.R. Myers Rebels varsity girls’ first foray into ‘B’ division competition in Southern Alberta High School Girls Basketball League play for the 2012-2013 season netted the team a split over the weekend.
Rebels’ first test was hosting Winston Churchill Griffins on Friday night, a squad ranked seventh in the province for 3A girls basketball.
“It was a game we really wanted to prove ourselves and test ourselves to see how we do,” said Kendon Bennett, head coach of the W.R. Myers Rebels varsity girls basketball team.
The Rebels proved they belonged in the match-up, but lost late in overtime 63-59.
“It was a close game throughout. We had the lead late, but the story in the fourth quarter and overtime was something we have struggled with all year which is untimely turnovers. In the fourth quarter we had three possessions in a row where we turned the ball over and didn’t get a shot,” said Bennett. “When you need to extend the lead or what not, to not get shots is critical. We wanted the clock down and take a shot in the last five seconds so it wouldn’t give them much of a chance, but we couldn’t get it in. Part of that is us as coaches where we have to do a better job in helping them, but players have to make better decisions too.”
Amazingly, the Rebels were able to push a provincially-ranked team into overtime despite shooting 20-for-86 from the field which included 3-for-16 from beyond the arc.
“Eighty six shots is a fantastic number to have, but we missed so many ones that were right at the basket with tuck-ins or lay-ups or whatever you want to call them. We have to make more than 20 per cent of those,” said Bennett. “We shoot a little better, we take care of the ball a little better at the end of the game in the fourth quarter and overtime, it was certainly a winnable game. But, now the girls have been in an overtime game, they have that experience and they are all good learning lessons.”
Kelsie Wood poured in 19 points to go with 13 rebounds. Samantha Terry had 15 points and five steals. Gabby Bertoia chipped in eight points and five rebounds.
Rebels girls had a much easier time on Saturday with a lopsided 63-29 win at home in which the Rebels were able to run away with it in a 21-3 fourth-quarter run.
“We as coaches know they have a couple of players that are really their threats and we wanted to make sure we were closing out on them and not giving them open looks,” said Bennett.
Terry scored 12 points. Lauren Peterson contributed 10 points, four steals and two assists. Tylyn Lawson and Bertoia each had nine points.
“We got balanced scoring where we had others with six, and six and four and five, that type of thing,” said Bennett.
Rebels girls have its Seniors Night today with the LCI Clippers coming to town. Junior varsity is at 6 p.m. with varsity at 8 p.m. The team then travels to Kate Andrews on Friday night with another road contest on Saturday afternoon against Magrath Pandas.
“Every game is going to be a challenge with a lot of close games,” said Bennett. “There’s still time to improve and test ourselves.”