Jamie Mountain
After a tough 71-70 loss to the host Kenora Broncos in their NorWOSSA regular season-opener back on Dec. 4, the Muskie senior boys’ basketball team has been stellar in rattling off six-straight win to clinch top spot in the three-team standings.
After a pair of victories over the visiting Dryden Eagles and Broncos last week, the Muskies (6-1) don’t resume NorWOSSA action again until Feb. 5 (due to exams), when they head to Dryden to face the second-place Eagles (3-3) in their regular-season finale.
Co-coach Greg Ste. Croix is hoping his players take full advantage of the two-week break to work on various areas of the game.
“We are looking forward to the two weeks of practices to fine-tune our offence and defence,” he noted.
“We want all players to be able to be confident in their skills and ability because we have done so many reps in practice that it is automatic.
“We want our game to be sharp, focused, and on point when we get to the playoffs but we are not their yet,” he stressed.
Ste. Croix has been pleased with his team’s progress this season, and is hoping the players continue to better themselves heading into the playoffs.
“The team continues to grow and improve,” he enthused.
“And when we step up our defensive game, it translates into quick and easy baskets for us.”
As for their league games last week, the Muskies were all business in dispatching both the Eagles and Broncos here.
The black-and-gold led the Eagles 28-7 after the first quarter and never looked back en route to a 61-41 win last Tuesday.
“The key to the Dryden game was our fast start,” Ste. Croix remarked.
“With a 28-7 first quarter [lead], we were able to work on some other aspects of our game that we are trying to improve,” he noted.
Then on Thursday, the Muskies then routed the third-place Broncos (1-6) by an 85-61 margin on the strength of Kobi Ward’s team-high 28 points.
Fort High led 44-32 at halftime before outscoring the Broncos 41-29 in the second half to preserve its sixth win of the season.
Mike Vanderaa added 26 points while Wyatt Richards chipped in seven and Sean Huziak six.
“We started on time, which is something we are trying to do a better job of, and we did that on both ends of the floor,” Ste. Croix lauded.
“We push the pace of the game primarily on defence, which translates into deflections, steals, and turnovers, and the guys move well on the open floor and make open lay-ups.”
Ste Croix cited the stalwart play of Joel Ottertail in the win over Kenora as being one of the biggest keys.
“Joel Ottertail had a great game with his defence and his ability to find open teammates for easy baskets,” he noted.
“Mike Vanderaa was also very good at both ends of the floor,” Ste. Croix added. “He knocked down a number of ‘threes’ that pushed our lead at key points in the game.
“Jacob Albright and Kaden Kocuiba [also] both had very good games providing timely defence,” he said. “Their games are really rounding into shape.
“Brandon Larson is a workhorse for us, his work ethic is always top-notch,” Ste. Croix conclude, adding that “Kobi Ward scored really well for us and has done so all season.”