Last Wednesday both local Senior basketball teams got a chance to face off against each other and get some bragging rights of who is the top squad in Strathmore boys basketball, and with a resounding 108 to 52 victory that title went to the Strathmore High School Spartans.  Spartans Head Coach, Matthew Laslo talks about the keys to their success, "We were running really well, we were playing good defense. It is easy to score when you can run fast breaks, get easy layups. We were working hard. Our bench guys that don't necessarily play as much were working really hard, getting easy buckets, creating opportunity."

Both teams performed very well at their perspective tournaments last weekend, with Holy Cross Collegiate winning silver in Drumheller. SHS had some very tough opponents in their run, Laslo talks about the level of competition they faced, "Beaumont was good we finished third. We lost to St. Peter the Apostle, one of the top-ranked teams in 3 A, but I feel like we could run with them."

When two local teams face off there is always a little more on the line, even though many of the players could be a teammate when they move to the next level of play.  Laslo describes the fierce competition, "The rivalries are always fun. Most of these kids know each other. They just work hard, and play hard against each other. I think there is more at stake, they like to play against each other."

The score would suggest a one-sided victory, but some of the key players from HCC were working through injury and now that both teams have had a chance to look at what each other is bringing to the table, this might be a very different outcome when these teams face each other next, but time will tell.  That game is sure to be a good one and will be hosted at the HCC gym on February 24 at 5:30 p.m.