The Carlton Crusaders aren't about to look too far ahead.
That's despite the fact that looming on Saturday night is a possible all-Prince Albert championship matchup with the St. Mary Marauders in Carlton's senior girls' tournament.
"We can look forward sometimes, but we really have to take it one game at a time," said Tybie Vickers, a Grade 12 shooting guard for the Crusaders. "It would be good to have a crosstown rival (game)."
The Crusaders have lost just one game this season through two tournaments. They won one tourney, while coming up just short in the final of the other.
Last weekend in Yorkton, Carlton beat Melville, Regina Martin and Balgonie en route to the final, where they lost 50-42 to Weyburn.
The final of the Crusaders tournament, Saturday at 6 p.m., would be the first meeting of the season between St. Mary and Carlton.
"We haven't been in any of the same tournaments, so yeah, it'd be great to play them in the final, absolutely," said Carlton assistant coach Jennifer Ferguson.
She said the Crusaders are an experienced team with players able to focus on the task at hand.
"It's hard for anyone not to look ahead, but you do your best to take it game by game, quarter by quarter, and if you do that on a regular basis you'll win more than you lose," Ferguson said.
Vickers is also looking at the tournament shortly before the Christmas break as a chance to further improve team chemistry.
"I'm looking really forward to this tournament because it will be a good tournament for us to really come together more as a team and be able to get the offence spread out more," she said.
Veterans make up most of the team, but Carlton does have four rookies.
The Crusaders have high expectations based on their performance thus far, but they don't know a lot about the opposition they will face. Carlton opens the tournament today at 6 p.m. against Delisle. A win would pit the hosts against either Balgonie or Kinistino in a semifinal.
"A couple years ago we played (Delisle) in the regional final and that was a close game," Ferguson said. "I don't know if they're stronger or weaker than they have been in the past."
The other teams in the eight-team draw are Moose Jaw Peacock, North Battleford John Paul II and Saskatoon Walter Murray.
tpruner@paherald.sk.ca
Crusader hoopsters try to stay focused
Crusader hoopsters try to stay focused
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Published on
December 12, 2008
- Published on November 3, 2009
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Todd Pruner
Carlton girls host tournament with crosstown rival St. Mary potential final opponent
The Carlton Crusaders aren't about to look too far ahead.
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