The Queens offense shines in victory over the Rattlers

Red Deer, October 28 - The Red Deer Polytechnic Queens take the first of two games against the Medicine Hat College Rattlers, 72-34.

Before the first timeout called by the Rattlers, the Queens were up 7-3 with a huge three by Sophie Melin to separate Red Deer early from Medicine Hat. After the timeout the Queens would go on a dominant 14-0 run with two three-pointers dropped by Amy Szymanek and Lauren France.

The Rattlers would finally stop this run with a two-pointer of their own seconds before the first quarter ended. But the Queens were able to beat the buzzard to take an 18-point lead going into the second quarter. It was two-time player of the game recipient, Szymanek taking the early team lead with nine points and was also to rebound three.

Some great hustle to start the quarter from the Rattlers after Heena Sidhu broke out on a breakaway. But Rattlers guard Abrielle Watson sprinted by four players to come up with the takeaway, batting it out of bounds. This sparked the Rattlers to double their first quarter score within the first two minutes of the second frame.

A 7-5 run by the Rattlers and with nothing going for the Queens, Avery Harrison was forced to call a timeout. The Queens would take a 31-17 into the second half. Szymanek would continue to lead the team in points with France and Peighton Melton falling just behind her with six points. On the Rattlers side, it was more of a team effort with seven players splitting the 17 points.

Each team starting the third quarter with some pace. The Queens put up seven to the Rattlers two in the first minute of the quarter. However, after the two points by the Rattlers, Red Deer would go on a 11-0 run forcing Rattlers Head Coach Clayton Nielsen to call an early second half timeout. After the first few seconds of the half, the Rattlers just could not figure out their own offense as well as the Red Deer's tight defense. The Rattlers would only drop six points on the polytechnic with four of those coming in the last minute of the game.

Medicine Hat continued with the team effort with eight players splitting the 23 points. And same with the Queens, Szymanek would lead her team with 13 points, but France was looking good for Red Deer scoring nine which have all come off three-pointers.

The Rattlers were showing some good heart out there not allowing the Queens any free buckets and were hustling up and down the court. But this was not enough for the team from Southern Alberta to take this one and will look forward to tomorrow's rematch at 1 pm in Red Deer. The final score was 72-34.

The Rattlers were led by guard Kirstie Johnstone with eight points and would be named the player of the game. Szymanek would lead her Queens yet again with a double-double effort, finishing with 19 points and 11 rebounds. However, it was Sadie Jeffries that was named the player of the game for the Red Deer swuad with eight points and six assists.

Head Coach Avery Harrison says his team played very well offensively but did not like how they finished the game.

"I think we created a lot of chances for ourselves, but we were not good enough finishing off the game; the way we needed to. I did like how Medicine Hat did not quit and played with a lot of heart."

Harrison added he did like his teams back-court defence with the Queens scoring 26 points off of turnovers.

These two teams will face off again at 1 pm in Red Deer tomorrow.