If the Chestermere Lakers and Cochrane Cobras varsity basketball clubs donít already know each other very well, the top two 3A teams in the province will become well acquainted during the next six weeks.
If the Lakers, ranked No. 1 in Alberta, and Cobras, ranked No. 2, both qualify for Marchís provincials, the possibility exists that the two squads could see each other five more times this season.
They have already met twice in Rocky View Sports Association (RVSA) action, including the Lakersí 87-79 win in Chestermere, Jan. 31. The Lakers also won 77-73 in Cochrane, Dec. 6.
With two tournaments, as well as the upcoming RVSA divisionals, Alberta zone playdowns and provincials, Cobrasí head coach Jim Forrest and Lakersí head coach Erhayat Ozcan already know that each matchup will be closely contested.
ìWe plan to see each other quite a bit and I think weíre the measuring stick for each other at 3A,î Forrest said.
ìThere is very little separating the two teams,î Ozcan said. ìI think the competitiveness of both teams, and how both teams hate losing above everything else, makes the games fun to watch, fun to play and fun to coach.î
Lakersí standout guard Jasdeep Gill led Chestermere with 27 points in the Jan. 31 victory over Cochrane, while Hunter Karl and Chris Hendry added 20 and 14 respectively. Cobrasí guard Cooper Hamaliuk had a game-high 30 points in the loss.
Cochrane led the game 28-25 after a strong first quarter, by limiting Chestermereís opportunities and fast-paced offence. The Lakers didnít take the lead until there was less than three minutes left in the half, then went up 42-41 at the break.
ìThey are so well coached and their kids have a ton of heart,î Ozcan said. ìItís always going to be this way when we play Cochrane. Each time, itís going to be a battle.î
ìWe want to play fast too, so we tried to slow them down,î Forrest said.
ìWe know Jasdeep is the key for them, but everybody can play on their team.î
Chestermere started the third quarter on a 10-2 run after Hamaliuk failed to capitalize on a three-point play. But the Cobra guard hit two quick threes to bring Cochrane back within striking distance to start the fourth quarter.
The Lakersí depth shone through in the final 10 minutes, as its players controlled possession and forced Cochrane to foul in order to stop the clock.
Gill and Yuvraj Hundai each hit two free throws in the closing seconds to secure the win.
ìOur compete level was right with them, but our finish level wasnít,î Forrest said.
ìWe missed way too many shots close to the rim and gave up too many down at the other end. We gave too many fast break layups ñ and that was really the difference in the game. Some of our bigger guys are younger and they have to get used to this type of compete level for 40 minutes. This is what itís going to be like when you play against really good teams.î
ìThey seemed to fatigue more than we did and I think that was the difference,î Ozcan said.
ìIt prepares us to be on our best at every practice, every shooting drill, every game.î
Chestermereís next game will be at George McDougall, while Cochraneís will be at Springbank. Both games take place at 7:45 p.m. on Feb. 7.
