Kitawna Sparks, a Kodiaks forward, recieves a pass during a practice at the Lethbridge Collegiate Institute on Oct. 12. Photo by Justin Sibbet.

From impressive slam dunks to roaring crowds, one team is seeking all the joys that come with victory.

The Lethbridge College Kodiaks women’s basketball team is preparing for a strong season with players expecting a championship run.

However, when the final buzzer sounded in the Val Matteotti Gymnasium last March, the Kodiaks season had ended in disappointment at the hands of the King’s University Eagles.

The 68-63 loss meant the Kodiaks had finished in the sixth seed in the Alberta College’s Athletic Conference championships.

However, the sour taste of defeat has not dampened the mood in the locker room ahead of the new season.

Montana Berezay, a fifth-year guard from Magrath, says she expects nothing less than an appearance in the gold medal game next March.

“I see us going to the championship,” said Berezay. “I think we are all composed enough and have enough talent and IQ on the court to take us that far.”

The Kodiaks veteran says the team has a good mix of seasoned players and rookie talent to take them the whole way.

Furthermore, she says she takes her role as locker room leader seriously, hoping to inspire the next generation of players.

“I remember what it was like to be a rookie and looking up to those older girls, getting all the help and knowledge from them. So, I try to do that for the younger girls as well,” said Berezay.

Another veteran leader on the team is Calgary-born forward, Courtney Deemter.

Despite the fact she reigns from a more distant city, Deemter says she has fallen into a de facto leadership position as well.

“I want to be a leader, but I also don’t want to be too in charge,” said Deemter. “I think there are definitely girls [who] look up to those who’ve been here for a while. So, it’s nice to be able to be that leader and show them how we do it on this team.”

She says there is optimism bursting from the locker room doors and this is the first year she’s truly felt this way.

“I’m really excited for this year. When I started in my first year, I didn’t really know what to expect, but it was really fun. Then, last year, I feel like I kind of lost my groove a bit, but I think this year we have a really good team,” said Deemter.

Meanwhile, Ken McMurray, the Kodiaks women’s basketball head coach, says he will not jump on the hype train quite yet, though he admits the team has started on the right foot.

“We always want to have high expectations. I would never say, right off the bat, that we’re going to win it all because I want these girls to continue to work,” said McMurray. “We’ve had a really good start, we had four exhibition games and played quite well.”

McMurray says maximum effort and avoiding complacency will be required if the Kodiaks want to truly pursue their ambitions and win an ACAC title.

“The girls know that if they work hard and play great defence, we can beat any team,” said McMurray.

He says the team depth is where the Kodiaks will really shine this season, allowing every player to showcase their abilities when called upon.

“I feel like I can put 10 girls on the court and none of them are going to hurt me at any time,” said McMurray. “So, if we get into foul trouble, it will be the next [player] up and so I think our depth is going to really be a factor.”

All four preseason games ended in victory for the Kodiaks, including an 81-72 win over the reigning ACAC champions, the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens.

However, as with any sport, time will be the ultimate judge, but the Kodiaks are optimistic this year will be their year.