It鈥檚 been a season of learning the ropes for the senior girls basketball team at Howe Sound Secondary.
Many of the players are relatively new to the game, even some of the Grade 12 girls, but that has not dampened their enthusiasm.
Last Thursday, the team had the chance to let some of that enthusiasm bubble over at a come-from-behind win against visiting Chatelech Secondary from Sechelt.
Before the game, the Sounders were thrown for a loop when they had to dig up alternate jerseys to the team鈥檚 regular blue because the visitors鈥� uniforms were too closely matched, so the team turned up some old yellow Howe Sound uniforms. A few, presumably old boys鈥� team uniforms, were a little on the large side.
The change of attire might have proven to be the good luck charm in the end, although the team started out a bit flat.
In fact, both teams struggled to score throughout the first quarter, as they had trouble breaking down the interior defence or hitting from the outside. As the midway mark of the first quarter approached, each team only had hit one basket. The stalemate continued to the buzzer, with Howe Sound leading 8-7.
The offensive pace picked up instantly in the second quarter, as the teams traded baskets inside the first minute, with Chatelech jumping out to a 10-8 lead on a three-pointer. The visitors went on a run and set the pace until halftime when they led 25-22.
In the third quarter, the pace of the game slowed while Chatelech built on the lead, and by the end of the quarter, the visitors threatened to pull away for good, sitting up by 11 points.
The locals were primed for the comeback though and started applying pressure defence and winning battles for the loose balls, all while chipping away at Chatelech鈥檚 lead.
With just under a minute to play, Kacie Reed scored to give Howe Sound a 44-40 lead, but the visitors then cut the deficit in half with two free throws.
When it looked like the visitors might stage a comeback of their own, Howe Sound鈥檚 Kaija Lewis-Belle stole the ball with just four seconds left and was fouled. The team was able to seal the 44-42 victory after grabbing the rebound on the second free throw.
Eliza Wilson led the Sounders with eight points, followed by Kacie Reed with seven and Shyra Salmo with six. The top rebounder for the team was Ida Eie.
As the clock expired, the girls savoured the victory, as they rushed onto the floor cheering. Afterwards, they gathered for a team picture in their temporary uniforms.
Coach Paul Wick said most of the players are new to the game and while some might have played sports like soccer for a dozen years, many are new or might have only two or three years experience at basketball. The season has provided an opportunity for them to work on the fundamentals of the sport.
鈥淚t is a learning experience,鈥� he said.
Wick said the team is building good chemistry, as the players communicate well with each other on the court.
鈥淭hey like to play together,鈥� he added.
Of late, the team鈥檚 schedule has been a bit light because the Whistler team folded for the season, leaving only Howe Sound and Pemberton in the Sea to Sky League. The two schools should face off in post-season play in early March.
