ATHABASCA – Edwin Parr Composite’s senior boys basketball team were impeccable hosts last weekend, graciously allowing their visitors from Morinville and Westlock to bask in the glory of gold and silver medals, while quietly taking the bronze for themselves.
The fourth seeded Predator boys hosted the 3A boys' north central basketball zone tournament and secured the bronze medal against Parkland Composite School team with a 61-55 victory Saturday afternoon.
In the opening game of the tournament, Athabasca and Barrhead Composite were evenly matched throughout the contest, but after losing a multi-basket lead in the fourth quarter, the Predators pulled away and put up the 61-52 win.
“Our shooters hit their shots and the defence had some key stops,” said EPC coach Eziah Pahl after the tournament. “Basically, the boys knew what they had to do, on and off the court, and executed it well.”
The near-capacity home crowds in attendance helped immensely after a season where spectators were not allowed into high school athletic events, he added.
“Barrhead is a good team, and we are very evenly matched, they could have just as easily done the same to us.”
Early Saturday morning, the eventual gold medalists from Morinville were not so kind, taking an early lead and coming away with a 30-point win, 76-46, which put the Predators into the bronze medal match.
“I told the boys we would play quarter by quarter, play hard, play our game, keep it clean and put up the best fight we can. Morinville has always been a tough team to play as they are coached very well and play very fundamentally sound basketball,” said Pahl.
Against Edson’s Parkland Composite in the medal match, the Predators dropped a significant lead but put the Pacers away for good in the final minutes, finishing on top by three baskets.
It put a positive cap on the year that has been unpredictable and emotional with only two players who had set foot on a competitive senior high basketball court before, but even they had been off for nearly two years.
“This year has been interesting for sure. From the start of tryouts to the end of zones it is has been a roller coaster of emotions,” Pahl said. “We took it week by week just hoping tournaments, games and practices wouldn’t get cancelled due to COVID. We were fortunate to not have missed any tournaments due to COVID, many teams were not as lucky.”
Pahl added he was proud to coach such a great group and “knew we had something special when we placed third at our very first tournament back in December.”
“This team has been an absolute joy to coach. They all enjoy each other's company and know how to have a great time on and off the court. They absolutely know how to get an entire bus singing hits!”
The Predator girls were in Westlock for their zone tournament but were unable to bring home a medal. Scores were not available before press deadline.
