ESTEVAN - The Estevan Comprehensive School Elecs senior and junior girls' basketball teams hosted their inaugural Holiday Classic at the school's gymnasium. Four teams participated in a round robin in each age group.
In the senior division, ECS defeated Assiniboia Composite High School 61-50 on Friday and lost 80-68 to Indian Head School on Saturday. McNaughton High School in Moosomin was scheduled to compete but had to withdraw due to the weather.
Coach Jessie Smoliak said that in the opener, the Elecs made the right shots and drove to the hoop, but they struggled to score. The Elecs still did enough to win. Megan Porter scored 20 points, while Jordyn Tarnes had eight points and eight rebounds despite not playing a full game due to injury.
Against Indian Head, the Elecs were down by one at the half. Smoliak noted the Elecs were undersized compared to their opponents and had trouble rebounding inside the key.
Sadie Aspinall had 18 points, while Elli Wiebe had six points and eight rebounds.
Smoliak said she decided to add a tournament in December because she didn't believe the senior girls' team had enough home games in its beautiful gym.
"My team is still young and not used to playing in front of hometown fans. This added tournament will hopefully be helpful with the McLeod Series in February," said Smoliak.
The Elecs have 12 players back from last year, but just one Grade 12 and three Grade 11s. Smoliak is pleased with their improvements. Injuries have been their downfall, she said, as two of her post players were sidelined before the season started and two more went down during tryouts. Players are getting the chance to play different positions.
The junior girls, meanwhile, went 2-1 during the weekend, beating Prince Albert Carlton 48-38 and Moose Jaw Peacock 50-39, but losing 75-45 to Indian Head.
Coach Caitlin Obrigewitsch said the team, which has six members, came to play.
She noted that ECS had a three-point lead in the first quarter against Carlton and built their advantage from there. Jane Contillo was named MVP of the game with eight points and the most rebounds. Katie Sauder and Sydney Ross led the Elecs with 13 points a piece.
In the second game, Obrigewitsch said Kass Walington worked hard on defence to hold one of Moose Jaw's top scores to only three points, while Sauder had some great takeaways.
The game against Indian Head was a battle of speed and stamina, Obrigewitsch said, as Estevan was down only four after the first quarter. But Indian Head's full-court press was too much for the Elecs, allowing Indian Head to pull away.
The tournament was a fundraiser for the Estevan Salvation Army's food bank. The school collected $400 in donations while filling a barrel with non-perishable food items.
"I am so proud of my team for the efforts and giving back during the holiday season," Smoliak said.
