General News

The Medicine Hat College Rattlers men’s basketball team hopes to erase a number they never wanted to see again.

After their first six games of the current Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference campaign, the Rattlers sit last in the South Division with an 0-6 mark. Last season, the Rattlers returned to the playoffs after a six-year absence.

They don’t want that season to be looked at as a flash in the pan.

“I think we are a lot better than our record shows,” said second year guard Addison Docherty. “A lot of other teams are a lot better than their record shows.

“I think this weekend we have to prove to everyone that we are actually a great team.”

The Rattlers travel to Lethbridge today to face the Kodiaks (2-6). The two clubs will meet again Saturday at Medicine Hat College (8 p.m., Snake Pit). While they have slipped out of the gates, the Rattlers can greatly improve their fortunes, if they sweep Lethbridge.

If they can get that sweep, they would be tied for fourth place and the final playoff berth in the division with the Kodiaks and the idle Briercrest College Clippers.

“I don’t think we are in a deep spot,” said Rattlers point guard Taylor Lane. “I think it looks a lot worse than it actually is.

“It took a few games for our team to kind of adapt to the level of play. Each game, we have been slowly getting better.”

While the Rattlers men’s team searches for its first win, the Rattlers women looks to continue a four-game winning streak. The task of continuing that streak will be a tough one as the Rattlers will battle their Kodiaks counterparts, who are powered by star guard Kayla Lambert.

The Kodiaks, who are the defending conference champions, have jumped out to a 7-1 start. The two teams meet tonight in Lethbridge and Saturday at Medicine Hat College (6 p.m., Snake Pit).

“It is a great measuring stick to find out where we are at,” said Rattlers head coach Jason McLester
. “We’ve been practicing quite well and quite hard lately.

“We feel like we are improving. It is always good to see how we do against another team, and how we perform against them, and the things that they want to do.”

For rookie point guard Megan Hewson
, this will be her first chance to tangle with Lambert and the Kodiaks.

“During our pre-season tournament (in September), I went and I watched their games to get a preview what it is like just to prepare to play them,” said the Moose Jaw, Sask., product. “I am familiar with the players and how they play and their style of play.

“I think they have a very unique style of play. We’ve been practising all week according to that. I feel pretty prepared.

“I don’t think we are intimidated as we would be. I think it will be a good game.”

DARREN STEINKE