Rattlers take road decision, first-year Queens showing progression

Brent Forster – RDC

Red Deer, AB – Led by Harneet Sidhu, the RDC Queens had another strong effort but dropped a close 54-47 decision to the Medicine Hat College Rattlers at the Gary W. Harris Canada Game Centre.

The Queens held a 27-24 lead at the half. A strong 19 point third quarter from Medicine Hat was a difference. The two teams scored 11 points each in the fourth, and the Rattlers picked up a 54-47 road win.

"I am proud of the Queens because they keep battling," says Ken King, Queens Head Coach. "The first-years are learning and there is an upward trend in every single one of them."

Colby Brochu Photography

Several aspects of the Queens' game were effective, including play in their own zone. "We did a lot of really good things for three and a half quarters. Defensively, we were on point. Medicine Hat has a high powered, high scoring offensive team," says King. "Holding them under 20 in every quarter, and under 15 for three of the quarters, shows what we are capable of on defence when we put all of the pieces together. Offensively, we weren't quite taking care of the basketball and finishing the way that we want to."

King noted the progression of his young team. "Every week, every practice and every game, we are seeing the first-year student-athletes get quite a bit more comfortable because they are seeing the game this fast, or this physical," says King. "So as they are seeing that more and more, we are seeing better results from them and Harneet had a really good game today with the way that she played. She's solid from the free-throw line. When you have 19 points and get 6 from the line, that's a pretty good day in terms of the aggression."

Harneet Sidhu totaled 19 points, 3 steals, 1 rebound and 1 assist, and was named the Queens Player-of-the-Game.

Harneet Sidhu (14) Colby Brochu Photography

A few other hard-working Queens caught King's attention.  "I thought that Sammi (Samantha Wade) did a good job in her first start and Katie Ballhorn showed her toughness," says King. "She lost a shoe and still drives, trying to score a lay-up."

Samantha Wade chipped in with 1 point, 1 steal, 1 assist and 1 rebound. Katie Ballhorn contributed 4 points and 4 rebounds.

Katie Ballhorn (4) Colby Brochu Photography

Katelyn Rozdeba led the Rattlers with 18 points.

On Saturday, November 17, the RDC Queens will entertain the Ambrose University Lions at 6:00 p.m. at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre.