Sports | DrumhellerMail

Harlem Crowns return for rematch against Dynos

    Get ready for an amazing display of basketball prowess. The Harlem Crowns will once again be bringing their hilarious court antics to the Drumheller Valley Secondary School for another zany game against the boys Dynos.
   The Crowns were created after a former Harlem Globetrotter put together a team based around above average skills and showmanship. The team delights in entertaining crowds with both their skills and their comedic performance.
   The two teams met two years ago, playing in the cramped confines of the Central School gym.
   “It was great, the gym was packed,” said Jeff Messom, head coach of the Dynos. “We lost, but it was a good game, it’s more about entertainment than anything.”
   The DVSS Dynos have invited the Crowns back to play another wacky game for the enjoyment of area residents.
   “The boys are looking forward to it. They were excited we got it arranged again, because a lot of our Grade 12s were in Grade 10 at the time. So they get to play the Crowns twice and they thought that was pretty cool,” said Messom.
   The game will be held on January 17 at 7:00 p.m. in the DVSS gymnasium. Tickets for the game can be purchased in advance from the DVSS, at 403-823-5171, or at the door.

Dynos Girls battle flu and foes in Brooks tournament

    The Dynos Sr. Girls basketball team was on the road this past weekend, participating in the Sr. girls basketball tournament in Brooks on January 6 and 7. The Dynos were missing a few players and had a tough time advancing through the tournament.
   “We only had five girls on Friday and six on Saturday,” said Ryan Hatch, head coach of the girls Dynos. “The girls were really tired by the end.”
   Quite a few players were unable to play because of a flu that’s been working its way through the team.
   Because school had not yet resumed after Christmas, the girls did not have a chance to practice prior to the tournament. Many of the other teams had already returned to school.
   Seven other teams from Brooks, Camrose, Canmore, Medicine Hat, Mount Baker, Taber, and Wetaskiwin participated in the tournament.
   “Some of these teams are quite a bit bigger than us, they come from town’s with a bigger population,” said Hatch. “It’s a good tournament to get us back playing after the Christmas break.”
   On January 6 the Dynos took to the court against Wetaskiwin, who finished in third overall, and were defeated. The Dynos only had five players, which meant no substitutions were available.
   “They did awesome until they got to the fourth quarter and then they got so tired. They couldn’t foul, because we only had five girls. They couldn’t be as aggressive,” said Hatch.
   The next day the girls battled for seventh place against Medicine Hat, but late into the game fatigue set in again and the Dynos barely lost.
   “They played really hard, they did pretty awesome. It helps our girls, makes them play and push themselves harder,” said Hatch.
   The girls Dynos will be back in action this weekend, participating in a tournament in Chestemere on January 13 and 14. Many of the same teams will be in this tournament as well, giving the Dynos a chance to play with their full strength.
   “Hopefully we’ll have our full squad there,” said Hatch. “It will make a huge difference.”

Sabres primed for home tourney

    The Sabres Senior Boys basketball team are ready to hit the court in their eighth annual Sabres Invitational this weekend.
   The competition will be tough at the tournament as they have invited some of the top talent in the zone and in the province at the 1A level.
   Teams include Rosemary, Youngstown, Coronation, and Ecole De La Rose Sauvage. Also at the tournament are Heritage Christian Academy of Calgary, who are ranked fifth in the province; Forestburg and Livingstone, like St. Anthony’s, received honourable mentions in the first round of ranking at the 1A level.
   The Sabres have been progressing this season, with a strong core of returning players as well as a number of new faces. After a disappointing finish to a tournament in Acme, the team is primed to perform well.
   The Sabres first take the court at 1 p.m. on Friday to take on Rosemary. If they win, they play Saturday at 10:30 a.m. versus the winner of Youngstown and Coronation. The championship final is at 7:15 on Saturday night.

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