A mix of youth and experience is the main story for the junior basketball programs at John Paul II Collegiate and North Battleford Comprehensive High School this season.
That鈥檚 especially true for the Crusaders junior boys鈥� program, who have won two out of the last three Battle West District championships.
鈥淲e had a number of players move up to the senior team, but the success that we鈥檝e had in recent years is really starting to show with the new players that are coming through,鈥� Crusaders head coach Nate Jurgens said. 鈥淲hen you come into the gym at lunch time, there鈥檚 always kids playing basketball.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a couple of familiar faces here this year on the team, but we have a number of new players, including a couple of players from the Phillippines who moved to the area with their families.鈥�
The Crusaders started the season on a strong note this weekend, as they went a perfect 3-0 in their home tournament.
鈥淭his is a talented group and our biggest asset is that the guys understand how to push the pace,鈥� Jurgens said.
鈥淭hey鈥檝e been playing basketball for a number of years now, so they have a lot of experience already. Their ability to move the ball is very impressive already, but there鈥檚 a number of aspects in the game that we can get better at.鈥�
The Junior Vikings also competed in the tournament, where they finished in third place with a 1-2 mark, and showcased a talented defence during their three games.
鈥淭hat part of the game is something that I stress with the guys every year, and they are already doing a great job of stopping the opposing team from penetrating into the key,鈥� Vikings head coach Jeff Gibson said.
鈥淲e鈥檝e got a good core group with five players coming back, but we鈥檙e still a fairly young team. We鈥檒l be working a lot on our offence in the next week, as we missed a lot of shots this weekend.鈥�
Meanwhile, the Vikings junior girls鈥� team had an impressive start to their season, as they went 3-0 at the tournament.
鈥淲e have nine players back from last year鈥檚 team so we have a good veteran group this year,鈥� Vikings head coach Kara Wilkinson said. 鈥淲e only had one returning player a year ago, so it鈥檚 good to have a lot of players who are familiar with the systems that I like to run as a coach.
鈥淧lus, many of the girls play club basketball and were involved with the team that played at the Saskatchewan Summer Games in Estevan a few months ago. It鈥檚 almost like they haven鈥檛 been off of the court since last year鈥檚 high school season ended.鈥�
The Crusaders junior girls鈥� team also turned in a solid performance in their home tournament, as they finished in second place with a 2-1 record.
鈥淚 think it was a pretty solid weekend for the girls,鈥� Donna Hansen, who splits coaching duties for the Crusaders with Kristina Binette, said. 鈥淲e have a young team, but they were able to adapt to the challenges quite well.
鈥淲e have four returning players and we鈥檒l be relying on them early for some veteran leadership, but we also have a number of talented Grade 8 players that have a lot of speed. They will be able to fit right in with our veteran group.鈥�
The Meadow Lake Carpenter Spartans and Unity Warriors also sent teams to the tournament.
The Vikings will be back in action this weekend as they鈥檒l travel to Melfort for a tournament.
Both local schools will be competing at the North Battleford Comprehensive High School junior boys鈥� and girls鈥� basketball tournament on Dec. 16 and 17.
