The Oilfields Drillers ended their season on a positive note by winning their last two games at the 2A provincial Senior girls basketball championships.
Oilfields capped off their campaign by downing the Holy Redeemer Rebels 59-48 to finish ninth in the provincial tournament March 17 in Lethbridge.
“Absolutely it was a great way to end our season,” said Drillers coach Jeff Ovens. “We got to prove that we are in the middle of the pack with the teams at provincials. The girls also got a chance to see how the top five teams in the province play.”
Veteran Carly Hoar led the Drillers in their final game. The Grade 12 guard was playing her final game for Oilfields and finished with 17 points. Oilfields took an 18-8 lead after the first quarter but the Rebels cut the lead to 37-32 at halftime.
“They were pulling close to us in the first half,” said Drillers forward Courtney Hughes. “Mr. Ovens told us this was our last game and this was our year so we really have to bring it.”
The Drillers worked hard in the second half and their tenacious defence held the Rebels to just 16 points in the second half. Grade 10 student Jenna Thomson and Grade 11 student Whitney Boehmer also finished in double digits with 10 points each in the victory over the Rebels.
The Drillers finished with a 2-1 record in the provincials. They were relegated to the bottom of the pool when they were beaten 64-54 by the Glenmary Saints in both teams opening games on March 15. However, they rebounded to beat the Rimbey Spartans 59-54 March 16 to earn the right to play Holy Redeemer.
Hoar led the team with 16 points.
The Drillers will lose two valuable cogs to their team this year with the graduation of Hoar and post Becca Tucker.
Grade 11 rookie Whitney Boehmer will be asked to take Hoar’s place.
“Carly did things along with me and she helped me a lot this season,” Boehmer said. “I can’t replace her but I will just do the best I can… I will be a senior (next year) and I will have to help my teammates like she helped me.”
Drillers assistant coach Markes Fredriksen said the Drillers won’t have to adjust too much next year despite losing their two leaders.
“We were really impressed with Grade 10 player Jenna Thomson she will be good point guard next year and the shooting of Courtney (Hughes),” said Fredriksen. “We also have a good core of Grade 11 girls coming back which will help us.
The Drillers Senior girls team was non-existent three years ago. Since its rebirth it has made it to the 2A provincial championships the past two years. The 2A championships are for schools with enrolments between 200 and 399 students.
The Immanuel Christian Eagles won the 2A provincial championship by beating the F.P. Walshe Flyers 71-55 in the final on March 17.
