Rattlers 87 Kings 77
The RDC Kings can look at Saturday’s 87-77 loss to the Medicine Hat Rattlers and take solace from the fact they were right with the top-ranked team in the Alberta Colleges Men’s Basketball League.
What the Kings didn’t do was come out of the gate with any fire, especially on the offensive side as they trailed 22-4 after the first quarter.
“We then basically win the remainder of the game,” said Kings head coach Clayton Pottinger. “That was a reminder we have to be more prepared. There were some good signs, especially in the second and third quarters.”
The Kings outscored the Rattlers 27-25 in the second quarter and 21-14 in the third. They narrowed the gap to eight points in the fourth quarter before the Medicine Hat crew, which includes five fifth-year players, hit four three-point shots in a row.
“That kind of took the wind out of our sails,” said Pottinger. “That’s also a lesson for us in that we have to play every possession. Even when we turn the ball over we need to hustle back and get a stop. We stop even one of those threes and it could be a difference maker.”
Even in losing for the first time in six starts this season, Pottinger wasn’t overly upset.
“I don’t even know if I’m 100 per cent disappointed. We will learn that some of the things we get away with against other teams we can’t get away with against the best team in the league. It’s early in the year and it’s a learning experience for everyone.”
Shayne Stumpf had another solid game, finishing with 24 points and five rebounds while Ian Tevis added 18 points, five rebounds and three assist. Matt Matear had eight points and five boards. Michael Farion had 21 points, three rebounds and five assists for MHC.
Pottinger added the team has things to work on at practi8ce.
“We need consistency on the defensive end from top to bottom as well as keeping our composure and not to get rattled.”
Rattlers 79 Queens 71
The Queens continue to shoot themselves in the foot with one bad quarter. This game it was the second when they were outscored 22-9 and didn’t score the final five minutes. They trailed 47-28 at the break then turned in a solid second half only to come up short, losing 79-71.
Queens head coach Ken King did change the way he used star forward Emily White in the second half and she controlled the game.
“We definitely tried to emphasize moving the ball inside as we noticed there were some openings,” he said.
But overall he nothing to add only that he’ll know more after watching the game tape.
White was the RDC player of the game with 21 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals. Dedra Janvier added 13 points and impressive rookie Brooke Kirkpatrick 10. Megan Getz had 30 points for MHC.
RDC is finished their home portion of the first half as they play at Ambrose Friday and Lethbridge Saturday.
Danny Rode is a retired Advocate reporter who can be reached at drode@www.reddeeradvocate.com. His work can also be seen at Danny’s blog at rdcathletics.ca