Kodiak men seeing players step up

By Lethbridge Herald on December 5, 2025.

HERALD PHOTO BY JOE MANIO Kodiaks guard Levi Balderson moves the ball downcourt during the first quarter against the NAIT Ooks last weekend.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

The Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks men’s basketball dealt with adversity  through the first semester but found many players stepped up and made an impact in games.

Heggie had praise for players like Kade Lund for stepping up.

“He’s had to step in and play heavier minutes and (had) heavier responsibilities on the defensive end and he’s done a good job,” said Heggie.

Memphis Gambler-Yellow Knee provided the team with valuable minutes as a rookie at the center position.

“He doesn’t know when his number’s gonna get called but when it gets called he’s always ready to go,” said Heggie.

Rookie Nathaniel Hosannah has showed some dominance on the court as of late.

“Last weekend, he averaged 25 points, and eight-and-a-half rebounds and almost five steals a game,” said Heggie.

“He’s been consistent as well, averaging 13 points a game and leading us in rebounding.”

Rhett Lewis and Marley Kenion have given the team valuable minutes in the small forward position, which are players  in that spot who show versatility and have to be involved in the rebounding, scoring and defending.

“Both (are) playing about  20 minutes a night for us and between them, they’re scoring close to 16 points a game,” said Heggie.

Levi Balderson had become the Kodiaks top point producer through the first half by draining an average  of just over 18 points a game,  having a shooting average that reaches the mid-40s percentages and he has improved his defensive play.

The Kodiaks are sitting in a respectable position with  a 7-3 record after the completion of the first semester and sit in a tie with Briercrest for second place in the ACAC’s South division.

“It’s so important to win games and not let wins slip away,” said Heggie.

“We’re at 7-3 and St. Mary’s and Medicine Hat are only two games behind us at 5-4 and we play St. Mary’s first … next semester. So the South division is that close.”

The Kodiaks have prided themselves in their defensive play, having given up an average of 72.5 points a game which is the fourth best in the ACAC.

“Defence takes a lot of hard work and commitment and the guys have really bought into that,” said Heggie.

LP heads into the break ranked #11 of 15 in Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association’s latest rankings.

The Kodiaks begin the second semester of play when they St. Mary’s University on Jan. 10