The St. Martin de Porres Kodiaks senior girls’ team is riding high, having ended the regular season in second place of Division 3 in the CSHSAA.
Boasting an 8-1 record and outscoring opponents 615-450, the Kodiak’s sole defeat came in the second game of the season at the hands of the unbeaten Lord Beaverbrook Lords.
Head coach Victoria Guderyan said the team is excited to take its positive momentum into the CSHSAA playoffs, running March 3 to 7.
“I think the players are focused and excited about the potential we have to finish with a banner this year,” she said.
St. Martin de Porres averaged 68 points per game during the regular season, which was the second-highest in Div. 3 after Lord Beaverbrook. While it may seem the Kodiaks leaned on strong shooting, Guderyan said the defence was just as crucial to the team’s success.
“I would say we get most of our points from our defence, actually,” she said. “We really like to press and take advantage on a fast break.”
The Kodiaks enjoyed a similarly strong campaign in 2018-19. The squad finished the regular season in second place before enjoying a deep playoff run that brought it to the Div. 3 championship game. St. Martin de Porres’ dream season ended in heartbreak, however, as the team fell to Henry Wisewood in the gold-medal match-up.
With several returning players and a strong core of seniors this season, Guderyan said many members of the Kodiaks feel they have a good chance of exorcising last year’s demons.
“We have seven Grade 12s and they provide a really strong foundation for our team,” she said. “It’s great to have so many experienced leaders and we hope that will help us in our playoff run.”
St. Martin de Porres’ chase for the banner begins at 5:30 p.m. March 3, with a home game against the John G. Diefenbaker Chiefs – a team the Kodiaks beat 52-35 during the regular season.
If the Kodiaks win, the semi-final will take place March 5, and the championship game will be March 7 at Calgary’s Henry Wisewood High School, with tip-off set for 2 p.m.
Scott Strasser, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @scottstrasser19
