Fine-tuning and a final roll down memory lane.
The New Westminster Hyacks senior girls head into the Burnaby-New West league playoffs next week as the favourites.
But that and a five-spot barely buys a latte these days.
That’s why Hyacks head coach Doug Woodward has the squad spending the buffer time between league games and playoffs tinkering with some of the smaller elements of the game. Oh, and throwing in some exhibition games in the mix as well.
The veteran bench boss is pleased with his team’s progress over the past few months, but admits the number of elite tests down the stretch makes it tricky when looking towards the Lower Mainland tournament.
“We feel pretty comfortable,” said Woodward, after the squad wrapped up league play with a 75-33 win over Burnaby Mountain on Monday. “We know we can compete with the Argyles, the Carson Grahams, but we’ve got to do it again (to get to the B.C.s).”
The contest allowed him to stretch his bench out, while also working on the good habits that win games.
Where the Hyacks have upped their resume has been on the tournament circuit, which includes one more – this weekend at York House, where 2-A ranked powers Okanagan-Mission (ranked No. 2), G.W. Graham (No. 4), and St. Thomas More (No. 9) are all in play.
“It doesn’t matter who we match up against, we’ll get a good test,” said Woodward. “It’s a chance to play teams we haven’t seen before.”
New West sailed through the Collingwood tournament last week, winning its games by an average 39-point margin. In the final against the host Cavaliers, the Royal City crew prevailed 79-43. Grade 12 guard Sarah Forgie was named the tourney MVP, while forward Devin Strome was selected to the first all-star team.
“Sarah played well, she likes to pass the ball a lot and that works well with (Strome). (Guard Kanon Iwachi) is the same, moves the ball very well.”
Last week, Woodward was surprised when members of his first NWSS team, from 1981, turned up to cheer the Hyacks on and say goodbye to the long-time coach. He announced at the start of this season that this would be his final year.
His focus now is ensuring the squad, with an impressive 23-1 record, is ready for the big hurdles ahead. The Lower Mainlands, which start Feb. 10, present a fierce competition for just three berths to the provincials. A fourth team will have a wild card shot at the last spot to the B.C.s.
Although New West has not made the rankings list this year, wins over 3-A ranked rival Carson Graham (honourable mention) and 2-A ranked Duchess Park (No. 5), STM and Little Flower (HM) provides the coach with a reference point, as does their lone loss, a 78-51 defeat at the hands of 3-A rated Heritage Woods (No. 4).
“I think we’re pretty good because we are always consistent, no matter who we’re playing,” said Woodward. “Key is, are we going to peak at the right time?”
For New West, the league semifinal is the next test on Tuesday (4:30 p.m.), with a win putting them in the final for Thursday (Feb. 7 at 6:30 p.m.). That would mark Woodward’s last game at the NWSS gym, and all alumni and past Hyacks are encourage to attend.
