Fast, a little bit rough, and visible improvement throughout the game were the hallmarks of a junior girls' basketball game on January 6.
The Muenster Cougars took on the St. Augustine Hawks in basketball action last week at St. Augustine School in Humboldt.
Muenster had a height advantage in the game, which gave them an edge under the basket, but the Hawks learned to soar under the baskets, making the Cougars work hard.
The first quarter was the time where the nerves showed up in missed passes and several fouls, but the teams got it together and finished the game in much better shape.
The Cougars led 24-12 by the end of eight minutes.
The second quarter saw the Hawks improve their defence and take more shots. Both teams were more aggressive on the court, with several tug-of-wars over the ball. The Cougars were up 40-18 at half.
The third quarter saw more shooting by the teams and some better passing. Muenster stayed on top, leading 60-26 when the buzzer sounded.
The fourth quarter was fast-paced with several breakaways. When the final buzzer sounded, the Cougars had a 70-36 victory.
Hawks coach Leanne Crozon called it a very exciting game.
"I knew it would be a tough game as Muenster has Grade 9 players and they have more height," she said. "I've seen so much improvement and they're having fun."
St. Augustine is playing in two leagues this year, one with the Horizon School Division and the other a city league. This was the team's third game in the Horizon league, she noted.
The Hawks have 11 players in Grades 7 and 8 and only five played last year, Crozon said.
"I'm looking forward to next year when our Grade 7s will have more experience," she explained. "They are already showing skill and intensity."
Crozon is helped on the bench by her daughter Paige, who plays with the Humboldt Collegiate Institute (HCI) senior girls' basketball team.
Muenster has 13 players in Grades 7 and 9, explained coach Marvin Renneberg. They will have one Grade 8 student joining the team shortly, he added.
"The Grade 9s are fairly strong and they're good leaders," he said. "Our height helps, we have two or three girls who are fairly tall."
Thursday's game was the first one for some of Muenster's players.
"We had some of our Grade 7s score their first basket," he smiled.
The team needs to work on their individual defence, but their shooting has already improved this season, Renneberg said.
"They shot really good last night," he said. "But, we need to work as a team. We need to get our passing better and organize plays better."
