Pandas set to kick off home tournament Friday against McCoy

By Garrett Simmons
Westwind Weekly News

It’s going to be a big weekend of basketball in Magrath.

Friday at 2:30 p.m., the Magrath Panda Classic Basketball Tournament kicks off for another year, as Stirling will take on CCHs in the opening game.

CHS and Mt Baker take to the court at 4:15 p.m., while LCI and Okotoks clash at 6 p.m.

The evening’s featured matchup will see the host Pandas take on Medicine Hat’s McCoy at 7:45 p.m. Should Magrath win that opening game, the Pandas will advance to Saturday’s 12:30 p.m. semifinal game, against the winner of CCHS and Stirling.

The tournament championship game is set for 7:30 p.m., while the consolation final will be played at 4 p.m. The 7th/8th place game will go at 4 p.m., while the bronze medal will be contested at 5:45 p.m.

Magrath heads into the weekend at the top team in the Southern Alberta High School Basketball League, as the Pandas took a 71-53 win last Wednesday in Taber. Jenna Taylor led the way with 29 points in the win, while Lauren Payne scored 19 and Montana Berezay added 13.

The Pandas stole a tight 40-39 win in the junior varsity game, as Macie Wocknitz scored 15 and Thandie Kauro added 10.

The Pandas and Raymond Comets clashed Tuesday night, as Magrath improved its regular-season record to 10-0 with a 57-37 win. Payne led the way with 17, as Berezay added 11 for the Pandas. Raymond’s attack was paced by Taylor Graves, Saige Gibb and Kelby Terry, as each player recorded eight points.

Magrath also won the junior varsity game, this time by a score of 51-41, in another low-scoring tilt, as Carly Blackmore led the Pandas with 16. Wocknitz added 1-. For Raymond, Bella Zaremba had nine points and Cassidy Quinton finished with eight.

Magrath hits the court again in league action on Feb. 22 and Feb. 23, when the Pandas host Winston Churchill and Raymond. The Comets are also in action on the 22nd, as Raymond will host Medicine Hat.

In SAHSBL boys play, Raymond will also host Medicine on Feb. 22, while the Comets and Magrath Zeniths will tangle on Feb. 23 in Magrath. The Zeniths also have a Feb. 22 home date with Winston Churchill.

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