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Jags host zones at B.C.H.S., but finish fourth improving their rank in the zone

On March 12, Barrhead Composite High School hosted the basketball zone championships, as both male and female teams competed for top spot in the zone. “It was a good, competitive tournament.

On March 12, Barrhead Composite High School hosted the basketball zone championships, as both male and female teams competed for top spot in the zone.

“It was a good, competitive tournament. We had four division champions here today,” said girls coach Lorna Hiemstra.

It was a full, 12-hour day of basketball. The hallways were full of parents and siblings walking from gym to gym and game to game, while the cafeteria was full of players looking to fuel up between games.

Both the boys and girls Jaguars lost their opening games and were relegated to the consolation side. They managed to win their next two games to finish fourth in the tournament.

“We were definitely disappointed losing that first one. I think we could’ve won that game. But our veterans really stepped it up today,” said Hiemstra.

The Jaguar girls tipped-off against the Jarvie Jaguars, and found themselves in a 9-3 hole after the first quarter. Jarvie controlled the first quarter, but as the game progressed, the momentum shifted in the Jags’ favour.

The Jags were a different team in the second quarter. They methodically worked the ball up court, while their taller guards plucked rebounds out of the air. Their change in pace and possession allowed the Jags to get back into the game, pulling to within one point of Jarvie.

“The girls play best when they have a lot of energy, especially positive energy,” said Hiemstra.

As the buzzer sounded to end the first half, Jarvie led the game 14-13.

In the third quarter the Jags defence found another level, allowing Jarvie only one point. The Jags put up eight points, extending their lead to 21-15.

“Our graduating players got to finish the game, and they handled themselves really well,” said Hiemstra.

From then on, it was all Jags, as they outscored Jarvie 11-6 in the fourth quarter to claim fourth place in the zone.

The Jaguar boys had a nail-biter of a consolation game against the Athabasca Pacers, but their hard work in the second half nudged them to a 37-31 victory in the seesaw battle.

It was a closely contested first half. The Jags and Pacers played a tight game, not giving each other a lot of space to make plays.

At half time, the Jags found themselves down 19-20 to the Pacers.

The third quarter didn’t go as planned for the Jags. They were missing shots, failing to score any points. The Pacers had their troubles shooting the ball, only managing eight points in the quarter.

“I told them at the end of the third, if we’re going to lose, I want to go down swinging,” said boys coach Colin Erickson.

That would prove to be unhelpful for the Pacers in the final quarter, but a boon for the Jags.

The Jags came out of the gate in the fourth quarter like a team possessed. Their desperation was converted into baskets, as they seemingly sunk every shot they took.

“We just shut them down in the fourth quarter,” said Erickson.

Turnovers became a problem for the Pacers and ultimately proved fatal.

Families and classmates of the Jags carried the team with their cheering.

The Jags showed resiliency and poise in the fourth quarter, scoring 18 points compared to the three points the Pacers could muster.

“Our press works quite well, when it’s on,” said Erickson.

The Jags came into the zone finals ranked fifth, and with the win improved their rank to fourth in the zone.

“I was very impressed by them; we have a great group of kids here,” said Erickson.

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