BARRHEAD - The Barrhead senior boys Gryphons did something they have not done in over five years — they made it to a tournament final.
On Feb. 22, took second place in a two-day tournament hosted by Vegreville Composite High School, losing to a more experienced Assumption Junior/Senior High School from Cold Lake 92-66.
"It was a learning game that had good moments," Thijs de Wildt said in an e-mail.
He referred specifically to how several of his Grade 10 players stepped in and contributed offence while helping to shut down Assumption's top players.
de Wildt co-coaches the Gryphons with fellow community coach Thomas Koekkoek, who are both Gryphons aluminus.
"We, as coaches, are really proud of where we are at this stage of the season. Being young and not having a lot of experience can be difficult, but our senior players have really stepped up and taken a leadership role, and it's great to see," de Wildt said.
He added that this season's version of the Gryphons is among the youngest he and Koekkoek have coached, with seven Grade 10 players, no Grade 11s and six Grade 12s.
Barrhead opened the tournament on Feb. 21, defeating Kitscoty High School 75-56.
"We played hard and stuck to our game plan," de Wildt said, adding they had the Grade 10s play the entire last quarter.
The next morning, the Gryphons faced Wainwright High School, a squad de Wildt characterized as tough with some very tall players, compared to Barrhead's younger and smaller team.
"But the boys stuck together and pulled away with a win 78-61," he said, adding the Gryphons' energy level, especially on the bench, was a large reason for their success. "It was at a different level and helped the guys on the court play harder."
The Gryphons have one more tournament this season before having a two-week break to prepare for the Zone Championships in Edson.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
