R.F. Staples School’s senior basketball teams had two very different outcomes at last weekend’s RFS Basketball Invitational Tournament.
The event, including eight boys and eight girls teams, was held at the Rotary Spirit Centre Jan. 19-20 and saw the girls claim gold, while the boys finished seventh.
“This year we started off a little bit slow, but we’ve been doing really well, we got second in one tournament and this is our first win this year,” said girls co-coach Margaret Benham.
Despite having a lot of younger players on the roster, the girls proved themselves.
“We have a lot of young players, a lot of Grade 10ers who are really stepping up. A couple of our leaders are in Grade 12, and Grade 11, but we’re a young team that is working really well together,” said Benham.
The girls started off with a routing of the St. Mary team, more than doubling up on the team from Vegreville on day one of the two-day tournament. The final score was 72-34.
The Thunderbirds were in for a little closer game against St. Martin on Day 2, but managed to sneak out a win by three baskets, 55-49.
The girls took to the court for the finals Saturday afternoon against the St. Paul Saints and managed a 42-33 win to claim the championship.
“It was a good game, and we’re happy and proud,” said girls co-coach Rod Carlyon. “It was a good effort.”
Despite their heart and hustle, the Thunderbird boys were only able to secure one win in the three games they played over the weekend.
They started off the tournament with a 58-39 loss to St. Paul.
In their second game of the day the boys managed to keep the score a little closer but dropped a 63-56 decision to Whitecourt.
In the seventh place game on Saturday the boys managed to come up with a 70-58 win over Vegreville.
“We finally won one,” said boys coach Ken Williston.
“They really came together. There were some pretty good teams at that tournament. Sometimes when you’re Grade 10 heavy and you play a Grade 12 heavy team, they’re just a better team.”
It was the first time the Thunderbirds have hosted a basketball tournament for more than a decade and the first time at this particular venue.
“I love the Spirit Centre. It’s great,” said Williston. “You can have three games going at once, the girls and the boys, and get through in good time. It’s really nice. I don’t think there’s a better place for a tournament of this size.”
“It’s so awesome for us to have a facility here in Westlock that can accommodate us. The comments I’ve received from other teams is that they’re so happy to come here,” said Benham.
“Our town should be proud to have all these people come here and use our facilities and make those comments. I’m sure we’ll have them come back.”
