LCI Rams ready for competitive Green and Gold tournament

By Lethbridge Herald on December 15, 2022.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

LCI Rams senior boys basketball is ready to host its annual Green and Gold tournament this weekend.

The tournament will have the host LCI, Magrath, Cardston, Sir Winston Churchill, Huntington Hills, Bev Facey, Mt. Baker and Bishop McNally competing.

“There’s a good mix of teams,” said Ross Bekkering, LCI head coach.

“We’ve got a team from Calgary, we’ve got  a team from Edmonton, we’ve got a team from out in B.C. from Cranbrook and then we’ve got some of the stronger south teams — both Magrath and Cardston will be here as well. So a nice mix across the province. The whole point is to see other teams and hopefully show the local basketball fans some good basketball.”

The Rams are fielding a team with many new guys this season after losing eight seniors from a year ago.

“We’ll have our learning curves early but it’s a really good group,” said Bekkering.

“They’re very good at picking things up. So, yeah, it should be a really good test.”

Bekkering thinks the kids like to play in front of their friends and family and there’s good competition.

“So I mean that’s all you’re looking for early in the season is to compete and for good match ups,” said Bekkering.

“And I think we have that at Green and  Gold. So, yeah it should be a fun tournament.”

Bekkering added, “No, a lot of question marks,” when it comes to this weekend’s opponents.

“So, I think we’re still focusing mostly on us (to) begin the season,” he said.

“So it will be interesting to see what those teams look like. I have a couple of ideas, but  a lot of question marks still.”

Building chemistry will be key for the young Rams team this weekend.

“I think the experience is invaluable,” said Bekkering.

“So just like I said, getting repetitions. But I think building chemistry and just understanding teammates better, and hopefully that’s going to improve our timing and our cohesiveness.”

The Rams will tip off against Cranbrook’s Mt. Baker today at noon.

People can either drop my LCI gym or tune into the LCI livestream on You Tube.

The final is at 8 p.m. on Saturday.