Peacock JV Boys Lose A Heartbreaker To Caronport
Photos and Story by Robert Thomas
Fueled by a trio of wins in Swift Current last weekend a highly confident Peacock Toilers Junior Varsity (JV) boys team burst out onto the court firing on all cylinders on Thursday evening.
Despite out pacing and out scoring the visiting Caronport Cougars in the first half the Toilers in the end fell 67 - 71.
It all came down to a couple of missed baskets bouncing off the rim that decided the game's final outcome.
The First Quarter score was Toilers 15 and Cougars 10.
The score at Half-Time was Toilers 35 and Cougars 33.
The Third Quarter score was Toilers 50 and Cougars 54.
The Final Score was Toilers 67 and Cougars 71.
Caronport Coach’s Comments
Asked to comment on the game Cougars head coach Perry Martens commented on the vastly improved Toilers team.
“I thought Peacock played very well. I thought they have really improved since the last time we saw them. So kudos to their coach and for the work they put into that group,” Martens said.
He said the Cougars did not play up to their potential versus the Toilers.
“Our group today didn’t defend the way they did in the past lately. We had some good spurts (on defense). We had some good spurts on offense but mot quite the way in the level we are use to.”
Asked if had expected the Toilers to come out so strong Martens said the Cougars were definitely up against a much improved opponent.
“You can definitely tell they have improved throughout the year. We have been defending quite well. We came out flat and they didn’t. So it was a good battle,” Martens said.
Asked to comment about the large contingent of fans who made the trip into Moose Jaw from Caronport he said “it has been phenomenol support all season.”
“So our fans have been excellent. Tonight especially.”
Despite the win Martens said the Cougars would still continue to improve their game.
“We were happy with the result. We have work to do to be where we want to be but the team has generally been improving this season. So we will keep trying once we get in the stretch run to see if we can keep it going.”
Top Scorers for Caronport
Josh Thiessen - 23 points
Ian George - 17 points
Oscar Ng - 14 points
Kam Ratzliff - 12 points
Despite the close loss Toilers head coach Danny Mullens said he was proud of his team's play.
For many the JV Toilers boys are hands down the most improved local high school basketball team throughout the season.
It’s a suggestion the humble Mullens says thank you to but plays down as there is work to do.
Asked what he thought Cougars’ coach Martens had said about his team Mullens said it was how much the Toilers have improved.
“I know we have improved a lot (this year) but we are running out of season though,” he said.
Asked about the impact the Toilers winning all of their three round robin games last weekend in Swift Current had on the team Mullens said it was highly positive.
“The weekend really boosted our confidence. They realize from the beginning they could play and not get themselves all worked up and they just settled into the game.”
For the Toilers JV Boys team the three wins in Swift Current were big because they were the teams only wins in league or tournament play in two years.
Asked about the team's play on Thursday evening Mullens said despite the close loss he was proud of the team.
“I am so impressed. I just can’t believe how good they played. I know they are hard on themselves because they want a W (win) everytime but they have come so far in such a short time.”
Mullens said he could not comment whether or not the team was the most improved local high school basketball team as they simply focus on themselves.
Editor's Note - in the comments of many, including MJ Independent, the Toilers JV Boys team is the most improved local high school basketball team.
“We have climbed mountains. We have been through the valley so we are hoping for even better things,” he said.
The team's almost daily practices have been intense with the focus on improving offensively. The team is strong defensively.
“We have been working so hard and just conditioning too.”
Mullens said he also had to commend Caronport on their play.
“They are a strong team. They played well against our boys. Ìt was just a well fought game.”
Top Scorers for Peacock
Athan Avery - 24 points
Jayden Lobb - 15 points
Keaton Doerksen - 13 points
For Toilers player Jayden Lobb said the three wins at the Swift Current tournament last weekend had a major impact and built team confidence.
“Yeah it was big. I won my first game in two years. I have been playing for two years and we haven’t won one game,” the 15 year old Grade Ten student Lobb said.
Asked about the team's performance and improvement this year he said it has been major.
“We improved a lot from last year. Last year we didn’t win one game and now we won three games.”
Lobb said the wins helped build team confidence in Thursday evening's matchup against the Cougars.
Despite the Toilers performance as of late - losing close games - Lobb admitted “there is room for improvement. You can always get better.”
He said the team was working hard and despite the team's improvement through hard work “we always want a win. We are always going to chase for the win.”
Asked the question why would he keep working hard and playing basketball and “basically lose, lose and lose” Lobb said the answer was simple.
"I just love playing basketball.”
The Toilers are off to an out of town tournament this weekend where they are hoping all of the hard work pays off in more wins.
