Toilers Squeak By With Final Minute Basket
With 45 seconds to go it was anyone’s game as a basket by the Vikings tied the score at 63 each.
With 35 seconds remaining in the game Peacock regained control of the ball and from a bad angle a basket was sunk and a foul shot drawn.
From the free throw line a shot was made pushing the Toilers lead to three. The Vikings needed a field goal to tie the game and despite drawing fouls to regain ball control they could add no more points.
With the final buzzer the Vikings found themselves defeated 66 - 63 by the Toilers in what was a fast paced game from start to finish.
Photo credit MJ Independent
For Vanier Vikings head coach David Tardif the big factor in the team’s loss was one of conditioning. The Toilers were simply better conditioned and the Vikings as a result could not hold onto their lead.
“It’s a change from last year. Last year we struggled. This year we are more confident and poised in our games so we’re able to control the tempo more. The biggest thing right now is we have just got to get into better shape,” Tardif said.
“It’s a bit frustrating but I’m very happy how we did. This is our first game. I expected it to be a bit bumpy. I expected it to be messy for us but I’m very happy with our performance tonight.
He said the reason for the highly improved senior Vikings was lots of learning and “we intensified our practices heavily.”
“They are more intense and more disciplined and it showed on the court although in this case we were very sluggish and tired.”
This year the Vikings has experience on its side with seven of the 12 player roster grade 12 students who have played before.
“(Players) from last year it really does help as they know what happened last year and they know what they’ve got to do. It’s the mentality on how they have to approach a game.”
Photo credit MJ Independent
The Vikings returned this year as a much more aggressive team than last year. It’s an attempt by the team to play their own game and not allow their opponents set the tempo for the game.
“Yes we have to be more aggressive. We cannot be as passive as we were last year as we let other teams dictate what we do. This year we just can’t.”
Regarding Peacock Tardif said the team is strong.
“They are very very strong. They’ve got some strong shooters.”
As for the Vikings this year he sees things looking up.
“Right now I see a lot of potential for us. With these games here once we increase our speed and stamina it’s like how we started we got an 11 point lead but obviously the cardio kicked in. Peacock they are better conditioned and it showed they got the better of us,” he said.
Photo credit MJ Independent
Peacock Toilers head coach Troy Setter said despite the narrow margin of victory a close game is the type of game he prefers.
Setter said teams learn more in close and tough fought games than they do in blowouts.
“It was a good game. There was a lot of turnovers and both teams teams played hard - good game,” Setter said.
Asked about the aggressive nature of play in the game he said it was expected by both teams.
“It was a little aggressive on both sides trying new things. It was Vanier’s first game of the year so they are obviously going to be a little bit more scrambly in their first game.”
For the Toilers they played in last weekend’s tournament in Prince Albert. The Central Cyclones also played in PA managing to make it to the gold medal game.
Photo credit MJ Independent
Asked the obvious question - are you missing Makunga Matuba? - Setter said it’s all part of high school basketball players graduate and they move on.
“He was a good kid but we have a great bunch of kids on this team…that’s the fun part of high school sports you get new faces all of the time. You get new personalities to work with. That’s what makes it fun,” Setter said.
“We look at these things the same way every year. The boys come out and play hard and what we can achieve we achieve.”
He said he was happy with the Toilers play.
“It was chaotic. It was hectic. There was tons of turnovers but as long as they are learning, having fun and improving every time that is what we want to see.”
Photo credit MJ Independent
Asked about the close score and large contingent of often noisy fans who came over from Peacock to take in the game at Vanier Collegiate Setter said he was happy.
“It’s good we always have good fan support. I like the close games they are more fun.”
