CANORA- The Canora Composite School Cougars senior girls basketball team, coached by Lauren Mentanko, hosted an early season tournament on Dec. 5 and 6 with five teams competing. In the five-team competition, the Cougars finished second to the winners from Sturgis. Other teams competing were from: Kamsack, Esterhazy and Wadena.
“Our team consists of very athletic individuals who all play great together,” said Mentanko. “Our girls had opportunities to show what we’ve learned and show off their talents which both proved we have the abilities to win.”
The tournament was a round robin affair. Due to the uneven number of teams, the Cougars played four games and the other teams each played three.
Sturgis finished with a perfect record of three wins in three games. The Cougars also won three games, but lost their clash against Sturgis. Kamsack and Wadena each finished with a win and two losses, while Esterhazy was winless in three games.
The Cougars opened their tournament on Friday after school with a 37-23 win over their long-time Highway 5 rivals, the Kamsack Spartans. This game was definitely a tale of two different halves, as KCI led 15-13 in a tight, back-and-forth first half. A pair of early baskets in third quarter seemed to ignite the Cougar offense and they stretched their advantage to 25-19 after the third quarter, before wrapping up the win with a 12-4 edge in the final quarter.
“In the second half we caught on to their strategies,” said Coach Mentanko. “We had plays to incorporate and try to work around them, and our players were successful. Our opportunities to shoot increased and baskets were made.
“It was a tough game, Kamsack has strong players who play hard and it can get in another team’s head pretty quick. Our girls held their own, were motivated to give it their best, passing until a shot is open and making their shots count.”
The CCS girls followed that win with two more victories over Esterhazy and Wadena, playing stifling defence and only giving up 25 points in the two games combined.
Fittingly the Cougars played their last game of the tournament against Sturgis on Saturday, a clash between the only two remaining unbeaten teams. The Trojans shut down the CCS offence in the first half and led 15-5 at halftime, on their way to a 39-22 win to wrap up first place.
Mentanko said Sturgis was full marks for their first-place finish.
“You can see they have tall players, play a tight five in the key defence and five-man-out offence that works to their advantage.”
The Cougars had only played one game prior to the tournament, and expect this early tournament experience to be a benefit as the season progresses.
“We could see right away after playing one game what efforts are needed from our player and what works and what needs improvement,” said Mentanko. “We hope to keep the first weekend in December as Canora’s round robin tournament every year. All teams stated it was great to get games in and for practise with no major pressure for a trophy.”
Mentanko said she can tell already that this year’s Cougars team is filled with a group of level headed, coachable players.
“These girls like the game yet they don’t break down if we lose. They get up, work on it and carry on. This to me is how team players should be and makes coaching them worth my time. They’re very considerate and they aren’t too shy to say, ‘This isn’t working,’ which keeps me on my toes. I want them to have the skills but also a great experience in their high school basketball years.”
All Cougars players are expected to provide input regarding their expectations for their basketball season.
“Players are asked to make a goal for themselves and for the team, also one for what they want in a coach. My job is to give them opportunities to achieve these goals, while making sure the fundamental and strategic objectives are covered.”
Bernardo Ramos has joined the team staff as assistant coach.
“He not only knows the game but he plays recreational basketball regularly,” said Mentanko.
“Lindsey Ostafie is the ultimate team manager, social organizer and team building queen for us. She reminds us that fun as a team isn’t always just on the court and our team bonding on the court is due to the fun activities she incorporates throughout the year.”
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