It was a stunning turnaround for the Swift Current Comp. Ardens senior basketball team as they rattled off three straight wins to claim their annual eight-team home tournament.
Just one week after finishing without a win in last place at their tournament debut in Medicine Hat, the Ardens turned their season around with a gold medal performance on home court, capped by a 45-31 win over the Medicine Hat High Kwahommies in Saturday evening’s championship final.
They advanced to the final with a 51-37 win over the Moose Jaw Central Cyclones in the semi-final, following a tournament opening 66-12 blowout of the LCBI Lady Bisons on Friday.
“Our goal is to get better after every weekend,” said coach Derek Targerson. “So you play one weekend and the goal is to improve and improve and improve. Last weekend we didn’t play our best basketball at all and it showed. This weekend we came together as a team as one solid unit. We worked together and played three really good games of basketball. I really don’t know what to say. I can’t explain it, but it was good.”
Grade 12 guard Sydney Thomas said it was an emotional win.
“It probably one of the best feelings that you could have out there, to go out there and work hard. We went out there and played our own game and when we got frustrated we calmed down. We went through our offense really well. Everyone worked hard and it was such a team effort this weekend.”
The Ardens will be off to a tournament in Estevan this weekend in their final action prior to the holiday break.
