The Barrhead Composite High School gyms were a busy place on Tuesday, Dec. 16 as both the boys and girls junior Jaguars basketball teams played two games each.
The junior girls played against St. Mary School from Westlock and the other against the Pembina North Community School.
Coach Warren Warehime said that although the team had periods where they played well, there was room for improvement.
In their first game the Jaguars dropped a close game to St. Mary School.
“We were leading St. Mary after the first half, but unfortunately I did not think our effort was there in the second half,” Warehime said, adding that the team did not take advantage of their opportunities early in the game and missed some easy baskets, which also could have made a big difference.
In the Lady Jaguars second game they faced a strong team from Pembina North Community School.
Warehime said the Jaguars were really never in the game and lost the game by 20 points by a score of 48 to 28.
“Pembina North is a team that runs the floor very well and we simply could not keep up to their speed,” he said, adding that both games provided his players with a good learning experience.
“We are a young team with a lot of new players that are just learning how to play the game so the learning curve is going to be steep,” Warehime said. “Early in the year I have told the girls to keep an open mind and try and learn as much as possible.”
It was a different experience for the boys team. Like the Lady Jaguars the boys team played two games against St. Mary and Pembina North Community School.
Coach Colin Erickson said so far this season the team has played three games, including the ones on Dec. 16, winning each of them by an average of 20 points.
Erickson said the team has a good mix of veterans and new players.
“When our six returning players are on their game, we are a very difficult team to beat,” he said, adding that he is also impressed by the play of his new players.
“So far I’ve been impressed with our first year players. They have adapted to the game very well and have all earned lots of playing time,” Erickson said, adding that the team’s first challenge of the year will come in early January when they play in their first tournament in Namao (Jan. 9 and 10).
