By Nathan Hutton (The Cascade) – Email
Print Edition: January 29, 2014
The Cascades women’s basketball team was supposed to have two easy wins this weekend, but in sports it is never easy.
The women’s basketball team entered the weekend in first place in the Canada West Pacific division, with a 12-4 record, leading the second-place UBC Thunderbirds by only two points.
The Cascades competition for this weekend was the UBCO Heat; seventh place in the eight-team division. UBCO entered the game struggling with consistency, sitting with a dismal 3-13.
The Friday night game, the first at home in nearly two months for the Cascades, was a test as UFV shooters struggled from the field, hitting only 12 shots in the first half. Usually on point when it comes to their three-pointers, the team couldn’t get their offensive flowing, and were not able to demonstrate their skill early in the game.
The one positive of the first half was that the Cascades were playing the low-ranked Heat and could afford to have a less-than-stellar game from the field.
The Cascades opened the game up in the second half as they registered 23 third quarter points, held the Heat to seven, and rode the momentum to a 66-31 victory.
The Sasquatch player of the game was Sarah Wierks, who registered a game-high 15 points and seven rebounds.
“I thought defensively we were pretty solid. We forced them into taking a lot of tough shots and that is always our number one goal” said head coach Al Tuchscherer. “Offensively I thought in the third quarter we got things going … we moved the ball a lot better and I think that was a positive.”
The next day the Cascades faced a much more difficult task as UBCO was far more prepared to face the Cascades.
The back-and-forth affair was a difficult one for both teams. UBCO jumped out to an early 15-7 lead, taking the Cascades by surprise. Once again the early story of this game was the Cascades’ shooting woes from all around the court.
But their problems did not persist as they had a strong second quarter, and led 26-22 at the half. The Cascades compensated for their shooting difficulties as they pulled down rebound after rebound after rebound and finished the game with 39, out-rebounding the Heat by 17.
The Cascades returned to their formidable form in the third quarter, pulling ahead with 24 points in the quarter and cruising to a 65-52 victory.
Sarah Wierks took player of the game honours again. Wierks finished with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and three steals, leading her squad to a weekend sweep.
The Friday night games also held a lot of merit with the community. The Cascades hosted an Abbotsford School and Kid Sports Night. Free admittance was given to kids under the age of 17. They also received a chance to win prizes if they wore their school colours.
The Cascades are home again next weekend. They’ll try to increase their division lead against the University of Regina and Brandon University.
