Lady basketballers major in Drama

By Lee Bogle and Sean Nyilassy

Coming off two tough losses in Manitoba, the Dinos women’s basketball team was looking to break their losing streak. They met the University of Alberta Pandas, our provincial rivals and perennial pain in the ass, Jan. 14-15. Despite the home court advantage, our ladies still struggled for a single win against the U of A.


Friday night’s match started kind of slow, with Calgary staying right on the tail of the Pandas. Many of the points came from free throws and for much of the first half one would have to be drunk to be thrilled. Nevertheless, the Dinos earned a one point lead at the half, 30-29.


In the second half the literature changed from reading the dictionary to a steamy Harlequin romance novel. The Pandas started strong, earning a 47-38 lead. But putting the Incredible Hulk’s words into guard Tanya Hautala’s mouth, “You don’t want to make me angry!”


She scored the Dinos’ next 15 points giving the Dinos a lead and was the only sign of life. Someone else put one in, then another eight straight for Hautala. It was not quite enough as Alberta held an edge in the final few minutes. Fortunately, Katherine Adams was not to be held down. She drained a three to bring the Dinos within one, but the Pandas replied with two.


With the score at 72-69, one last glimpse of hope poked its head out like an elusive Whack-a-Mole®. Hautala was thwarted in her attempt to shoot a tying three-ball and went to the charity stripe. The first one was good and as the second one bobbled out to give the rebounders a chance to tie the game the fans leaned forward in their chairs. Alas, it was not meant to be. The Pandas hauled down the board for the 72-70 win.


Hautala hit a career high and Dinos fourth best ever 39 points. Everyone else was inconsequential.


“We need to have some people other than Tanya scoring,” Head Coach Shawnee Harle admitted of the loss.


The first half was an offensive battle, with both teams playing a gigantic leapfrog game. After a 10-3 Dinos hop, the Pandas took the next 10 points, only to see the Dinos race back to a 23-all tie at the half. Scoring sensation Hautala was muted until the last 100 seconds of the half, during which she sunk a quick six points.


The second half was as back and forth as a beer can from a table to my mouth, with the lead not exceeding five points. The last 35 seconds proved as exciting as a solar eclipse, but watching didn’t burn your retinas. The Dinos were up 60-57, but allowed five three-point shots to leave Panda claws.


“We’re going to give our coaches a heart attack,” half-joked Hautala. “We need to put the dagger in earlier.”


Hautala contributed 25 points to the win, while Cory Bekkering added 15. Lindsay Maundrell was a strong defensive component, with eight rebounds.


The Dinos next compete with the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns Jan. 21-22.


“We’re in a fight to secure a playoff position,” Harle explained. “We’ve got to win games to get to the playoffs.”


Good luck with that ladies.





Above the Rim


For her astounding play this weekend, Hautala was named Canada West Female Athlete of the Week.


“She was that good,” Harle said of Hautala’s play over the weekend.


The 5ïž´4 shooting guard was pretty much the only reason Friday’s game wasn’t a blowout and remained a big part of the win on Saturday. Her combined 64 points over the two games accounted for 49 per cent of the team’s total.


“I stayed aggressive,” was the only explanation she could offer for the astounding performance.


The fourth year Kinesiology major is one of Canada West’s best athletes. She is ranked in the top ten in the following categories (insert deep breath here): Scoring, field goal percentage, free throw percentage, three-point field goal percentage, three point field goals made and steals. Exhale.