The Innisfail Senior High Cyclones boys basketball team is off to a roaring start.
“The boys have played well since the beginning of the season,” said coach Ed Coles. “In regular season play, we are three and zero, with two of those wins coming this last week.”
Their lone loss came in the final game of the Stettler Regional Tournament when they came on strong in the early quarters of the contest, but were not able to maintain their discipline.
The day prior, the Cyclones travelled to Wetaskiwin in a rescheduled contest, and earned a win over the Wetaskiwin Composite High School Sabres, even with their leading scorer Donovan Pineau not playing the second half of the game. He scored 22 points in the 69-43 victory after committing three personal fouls in the first two frames.
Coles spoke glowingly of his team.
“If you take a look down at the roster of the Cyclones, any one of my players is ready and able to step in and contribute,” said Coles. “We have a bench that does not hesitate to play.”
The Cyclones took to the court on Dec 18 to play against their Central Alberta rivals, the Ponoka Composite High School senior boys Broncs, the second game in as many days.
From the onset, the game seemed to be a mismatch, and the Cyclones quickly ran up a 12-3 lead over the visiting team. The Cyclones' defence played solidly, allowing few offensive rebounds by the Broncs while their offence was consistently accurate from all areas of the floor. By the end of the half, they built up a 26-point lead, 42-16.
The second half of the game continued the trend, with the Broncs not being able to penetrate the offensive zone, or to recover their rebounds defensively or offensively. Discipline on both sides of the ball was the difference in the game.
The final score of the game was 75-21, with Donovan Pineau sinking 30 points in the contest.
Pineau spoke about playing for coach Coles effusively.
“We enjoy playing for Mr. Coles,” said Pineau. “He works us hard, but not so hard that we hate him or get mad at him. He has taught us the power of discipline, but again, just to the point where it works best.”
Pineau commented on the fact that even though every team member can have bad games, with fouls or missed shots, that they had to forget what happened, and keep on going.
“There are times when we laugh over five air balls during free throws, but when our guy cracks that net, and sinks his sixth or seventh shot we are there to congratulate them. But that is basketball, and our team,” added Pineau.
Coles has been coaching basketball for 10 years, two of which have been in Innisfail. Last season he coached the junior team to a division title, and moved to the senior team this year. He coached in the Northlands School Division for eight years prior.
The Cyclones continue league play Jan. 8 when both boys and girls teams play Hunting Hills High School in Red Deer.
