The Peacock Toilers simply had a job to do on Thursday night in Moose Jaw high school girls basketball league action.
Facing the winless Notre Dame Hounds in the league quarter-final at Peacock, the Toilers were able to roar out to a 26-4 lead in the first quarter and led 38-8 at the half before going on to a 59-15 victory.
Given the fact the Toilers had won by 38 and 17 points in their previous league meetings this season, the writing was pretty much on the wall. But strange things can happen when it comes to the playoffs, and Peacock did their best to leave nothing to chance.
“I thought the girls played well, they responded well to some challenges I gave to them after Tuesday’s game, so it was good to respond,” said Toilers coach Brendan Fedoski. “We’ve been working on our mental state and execution out there and tonight it really came together.”
Chloe Smolinski led all scorers with 19 points, while Ella Muchowski scored 16 and Kiera Lumen added 12. Mya Kubrakovich led Notre Dame with five points, including the game’s only three-pointer.
Peacock is back in action during a tournament in Estevan this weekend before returning home to face the Central Cyclones (7-1) in one of two girls semifinals on Tuesday, Mar. 8. The Lumsden Angels (5-3) take on the Vanier Spirits (5-3) at Vanier in the other contest, with both games starting at 6:20 p.m.
Peacock will be looking for a little more luck compared to their most recent meeting with Central, a 65-43 Cyclones win in the aforementioned game on Mar. 1..
“Hopefully the ball falls a little more on Tuesday and I think if we continue to play hard and execute like we can, good things will happen,” Fedoski said. “It’ll be good to have a chance to get some games in this weekend, too, work on a few things and get ready for the semifinal.”
The news was far better for Notre Dame in the boys' quarter-final, as the Hounds used a third-quarter surge to blow open a close game and go on to an 80-56 win in Wilcox.
Things were exceptionally close in the early going, as Notre Dame led by two 35-33 after the first quarter and four 47-43 at the half.
John Lopez was the biggest catalyst in the Hounds’ win, putting up one of the highest offensive showings in the league this season with a 36-point outing. Owen Thomas scored 17 and Samuel Borschowa added 12.
Lumsden had 17 points from Max Pollack and 10 from Ben Pollack.
Things definitely won’t get any easier for the Hounds in their next contest, as they face the unbeaten Central Cyclones in their semifinal at Central on Tuesday. Game time is 8 p.m. The other boys semi sees the Vanier Vikings (4-4) at the Peacock Toilers (6-2), with tip-off at 6:20 p.m.
