Horns open playoffs against Vikes

By Lethbridge Herald on February 20, 2025.

Herald Photo by Justin Seward University of Lethbridge Pronghorns Courtney McKee attempts to steal the ball from the University of Victoria Vikes' Jade Dittmer during Canada West women's basketball action at 1st Choice Savings Centre recently.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

The University of Lethbridge women’s basketball team are set to embark on their Canada West playoff journey tonight at the University of Alberta in a play-in game against the University of Victoria, a team they swept in the regular season last month.

This is the second year in a row that the Horns and Vikes will square off in the playoffs.

The Vikes will have the size and the Horns will have to battle through that element of the game.

“U Vic is one of the biggest teams in the league, maybe one of the biggest teams in the country, they have a ton of size and we know that,” said Dave Waknuk, Horns head coach.

“I think for us, we know what we’re in for. Rebounding’s gonna be important, physicality on defence is gonna be important, because they have that size inside we’re gonna have to make shots from the outside or from different spots on the floor. I think we’re aware of what that size brings but we also think our speed matches up well. So I think if we can play fast and we can be efficient and play fast, I think good things can come out of it.”

Defending and taking care of the basketball will be important if the Horns are to move on in the tournament.

“If you can defend your opponent and you can be smart with the basketball, I think that’s winning playoff basketball, said Waknuk.

The Horns have been discussing their winning style this week.

“It’s playing with pace and tempo and it’s finding and making great shots,” said Waknuk.

“I think if we can share the ball and we can defend, I think that’s how we can win.”

The Horns know this  game won’t be won in the first 10 minutes.

“You gotta win it in last four minutes and (when) I think of a 40-minte game, you’ve got to be able to kind of  go with the ups and downs in it ,” said Waknuk.

“So I think that’s what we’ve done well this year, is that we’ve been able to ride the wave and stay consistent. But I think that’s playoff basketball, everybody’s good at this level, so you’re not  gonna show up and just out talent somebody, you’re gonna have to earn it all the way throughout.”

The winner plays U of A on Saturday in a quarter-final and the loser goes home.

Tonight’s game is at 7 p.m. and results can be found at www. canadawest.org/sports/wbkb/2024-25p/schedule.