Defending champions return to action Jan. 31
Senior boys basketball is back in action and Bishop Grandin players are hoping to start the new year with the same momentum that led them to a 3-0 start in the 2011/2012 season.
The Bishop Grandin Ghosts return to the hardwood this Tuesday for the first time in over a month. Despite the time off, the defending Div. 1 senior basketball champions hope to hit the ground running against their divisional opponent, the Crescent Heights Cowboys.
“We know what it feels like to win,” Ghosts guard Matt Johnson said. “We know that they’re going to come here and try to beat us so we just have to push the ball and play hard on defence and we’ll get the win.”
The two teams last faced off in the Calgary Basketball Classic in early December, with Grandin coming away with an 88-63 win.The Ghosts senior boys basketball team huddles around coach Mike Henry.
Photo by: Daniel Ball
Notwithstanding the seemingly large margin of victory, head coach Mike Henry won’t allow his squad to take Crescent Heights lightly this time around.
“Last time we played Crescent Heights, they shocked us,” Henry said. “I think we went into the gym thinking it would be a cakewalk and it definitely wasn’t. They’re a fast team so we’ll need to get back on defence and take advantage of some of the mismatches in the paint.”
One of the mismatches Henry will hope to utilize against Crescent Heights is forward Zac Hartley who, with his height and agility, causes headaches for opposing defenders on a regular basis.
“We’re looking to win every game this season,” Hartley said. “There’s a lot of pressure to stand up to what we did last year but as long as we play hard I know that we can do it. We definitely have the guys to do it this year.”
The Ghosts head into Tuesday’s matchup boasting an impressive average of 92 points per game and an undefeated regular season record. Although their goal of back-to-back championships is a daunting one, they seem to be on the right path.
dball@cjournal.ca