Leah Ekubazgi puts up a shot during practice Monday evening after the Kodiaks started the season 3-0.

The Kodiaks have clawed their way into the new season leaving a mark in the Alberta CollegesAthletics Conference (ACAC).
Men’s and women’s basketball got off to a fast start earlier this month and are hoping to carry out success until the end of the semester.
The men started off with two tough home losses against SAIT and Medicine Hat before sealing their first win of the season on the road last week in Briercrest.
Losing at home was tough for the team especially being blown out in the second game by Medicine Hat.
“We’re trying to show the home crowd who’s the best player on the Kodiaks team and it just got to us individually. It just wasn’t working, shots weren’t going in, were making mistakes on defense and quite honestly it was embarrassing,” said third year forward Grady Taylor.
The team had to refocus and play at the top of their game on the road to avoid starting the season 0-3.
“We smartened up and had a good couple last days of practice before we went on the road trip and then when you win by 40, it completely changes and everyone is in a good mood,” said guard Pierce Van Gaalen.
Team chemistry is strong heading into the next few games, hoping to put the first two losses behind them.
“Coach gave us good motivation for the previous weekend and that win it gave us confidence again. It brought us within a team again, helped us to trust our team again and made us more confident as individual players,” added Taylor.
The women’s team didn’t surprise anyone. As the fourth ranked team in the nation, they took care of business with an undefeated start.
The team was shocked and heartbroken after last year’s semifinal loss in the ACAC provincial championships and are focused not to repeat this year.
“We have to be aware because we blew it in the semifinals last year. It’s always awesome to be on top, but we always have to make sure that we stay on top the whole way and not just to the semifinals,” said returning forward Logan Moncks who is ready to take it to the next level.
The coaching staff isn’t ready to get too far ahead of themselves and making sure the team is prepared and ready for each game.
“You have to take it one game at a time. You look too far ahead and you can trip yourself up on
something and not even have the chance to be where you want to be,” said assistant coach Deanna Dotts.
The teams will be on the road this weekend for two games before playing their next home game at the end of the month.
Fans can check out the action on Nov. 25 and 26 when the Kodiaks play key games against Olds and Red Deer in the Val Matteotti gym at 6 p.m.