The Kodiaks dulled the roar of the Ambrose Lions over the weekend with both the men’s and women’s basketball teams showing how lethal they can be on court. Securing their places in the ACAC provincial playoffs, the men will head off to Olds College and the women to Lakeland College this week to start their championship campaign.
The Kodiaks women who are the top ranked team in the nation continue their undefeated streak remaining on top of the south division after downing the Lions 78-33 at the Val Matteoti Gym. The men chalked up a 98-64 win over the Lions and improved their defensive game according to third year forward, Grady Taylor. Taylor said it was a nice way to finish off the regular season at home.
“There was a lot of excitement and intensity was high which is a great way to head into playoffs,” said Taylor.
The last regular home game of the season was also an emotional one for the team, honouring two of their senior players who will bid Lethbridge College farewell at the end of this season. Guards Chaz Johnson and Travis Butt were presented with tokens of appreciation by coach Ryan Heggie and their fellow teammates. Flanked by his mother, sister and fiancé, Johnson thanked his home team crowd in the Val Matteoti gym for their support over the past two seasons.
Johnson’s fiancé Brittney Adams spoke how wonderful Lethbridge has been for herself and Johnson said she had mixed emotions seeing this season come to a close.
“I’m so proud of him and it’s so fun to watch him play, but at the same time it’s kind of sad to think it’s all going to be over because Lethbridge has been a really special place for us,” said Adam’s.
With playoffs now firmly in sight, both teams say they’ll need to keep focused and keep up the intensity as they face their first opponents. Men’s assistant coach Peter Danielson said the team is well placed to keep up the momentum they’ve been building this season.
“We’ve come together well on the defensive end, it’s been a lot better. We had a little mental lapse in the last two minutes of this game, but I mean the guys who we need to play and who will come to play in the playoffs, played fantastic defense both nights this week,” said Danielson.
The Kodiaks women will face the University of Augustana while the men look to topple Keyano College on March 3.
Chaz Johnson cuts through the clutter on court. The outstanding Kodiaks guard said goodbye to the home crowd at the Val Matteoti gym on Feb. 27 as he graduates from Lethbridge College this year.
The Kodiaks men’s basketball team scooped the Ambrose Lions over the weekend and secured their spot in the ACAC Provincial playoffs.
