Coming into the season, the North Battleford Comprehensive High School basketball programs appeared to be in rebuild mode simply because of the players who graduated and just three graduates on this roster.
Not so fast.
The NBCHS senior girls team has turned heads all season and now have qualified for the provincial tournament and are will play for a medal at HOOPLA in Saskatoon.
At the beginning of the season coach Bryan Cottini mentioned his team didn't know what to expect for the season.
Sine then they have produced an impressive record, won a handful of tournament along the way and regional champions.
NBCHS beat Weyburn in the regional final, which was hosted in North Battleford Saturday. The Vikings led by nine at halftime and went on to blow the game open winning 62-32.
The Vikings beat Moose Jaw Central in the semi final 67-42 in a game Cottini says his team was ready for and expected to win.
The Vikings go into HOOPLA with some girls who have experience with the yearend tournament and that could be a positive factor for the fourth ranked team.
"Most of the team has been there, maybe not game experience, but most have been to HOOPLA so maybe the bright lights won't phase them as much as other teams," said Cottini. "It is strange at HOOPLA, you don't know how your team is going to do under that pressure."
The Vikings will face Moose Jaw Peacock the number one ranked with the winner advancing to the final. The Vikings beat Moose Jaw by 20 points early in the season, but that was without one of their key starters.
"In the last three years we went into HOOPLA the number one seed and finished with a bronze and silver. Maybe going in fourth isn't the worst thing. Maybe the girls will relish the underdog role."
