CAMBRIGE – The Kings Minor Gators came out on top at their first tournament game against Yarmouth Kia Comets, besting them 28-21.
The players brought home the victory by working as a team and communicating on the court, according to coach Adam Olmstead.
“They played well and moved the ball. We penetrated the key very well to get some easy lay ups, too,” he said.
The game was part of Basketball Nova Scotia’s provincial tournament.
The team has been focusing on sharing the ball – making sure all five players on the court contribute to the play and help each other out – and it seems to be paying off, said Olmstead.
The team is one that works best together, but there was one young player that shined even brighter during the game.
10-year-old Alyssa Jones took a leading role, and had her best game of the year, according to the coach.
She was also chosen by the other team to receive the Player of the Game award.
“Alyssa isn’t used to taking that role, but she led our team today. She played incredible defence, and offensively too. It was her best of the year, hands down,” said Olmstead.
Taking Jones’ lead, the defence kept communication lines open as they drove the ball down the court to support their offensive players.
“They talked on the floor and because of that, always someone in place to represent the person who had the ball,” said Olmstead.
The girls were ecstatic when they finished the game, and headed into another match March 25 against Pictou County Lightning which, if they win, will propel them into the gold medal game.
Olmstead said he feels the time has a decent chance, but will have to keep a few things in mind as they get their heads in the game.
“We have to deal with rebounds – offensive and defensive ones. These can be tricky. If we do that, and we keep our momentum going, we’ve got a real chance at winning this,” he said.
“We’ve just got to bring it, every time, every game.”
Tournament update: The Kings Minor Gators won their second match Sunday morning against the Pictou County Lightning 27-25, and lost their final match, the gold medal game, 36-18 to the Amherst Minor A’s, finishing the tournament with a silver medal.
“They dealt with our offence so well we couldn’t really get past them,” said Olmstead.
“We had to more forward and try some different tactics to get to the hoop. A few of them worked, but a lot of them didn’t.”
The overall season is something Olmstead is proud of, since he’s seen improvement in each of his players.
And ultimately, that’s what it’s all about.
“That’s all we really look for as coaches. We make their strengths stronger, and we’ve seen a lot of that this year,” he said.
