The Cochrane Cobras senior boys basketball team is a perfect 4-0 heading into the final two weeks of regular play in the Rocky View league.
The Cobras outpaced the Bow Valley Bobcats from the start last night and finished strong to chalk up an 89-57 win. Only 15 points separated the two teams heading into the second half.
Cobras head coach Patrick Court says the team's play has continued to improve as they draw closer to playoffs.
"Our guards have played really well all year, and our bigs are starting to come along, so I'm very pleased with how we played today."
Going into the game, he says they knew the Bobcats' guards could score, and the challenge was to limit their damage on the scoreboard.
"We can't stop them, right, nobody's going to stop them, they're going to score, but we did our best to contain them. They chipped away and got it closer, but I think our bigs were the difference today."
A shortage of bigs, due to injuries and illness, is an issue for the Bobcats right now. They went into the game without two key starters and their backup centre, says Bobcats coach Kris Nielson.
"It's tough to go up against a fully healthy team when we're so unhealthy, but I thought the guys played hard," says Nielson. "Our centre and backup centre are both out, and they beat us on the rebounds. It was pretty obvious from the beginning that we were missing two key guys on our rebounding."
Once healthy, he's confident the Bobcats will be in the mix with the top teams in the province.
The Cobras and Chestermere Lakers are in a dead heat for first in Rocky View and all eyes will be on their matchup next Tuesday.
The two teams haven't met this year and outside of the Rocky View season seldom play because the Lakers are a 4A team and the Cobras are 3A.
The Bobcats have a 2-2 record and are third in Rocky View, with losses coming against the Cobras and Lakers.
In the first ASAA ranking report released early last week, the Cobras are ranked fourth and the Bobcats eighth among Alberta's 3A schools.
Cochrane High is hosting the senior boys' zone championship on Mar. 11-12. Strathmore, who is currently ranked second, is hosting the provincials.
