Oh, those nasty flu and injury bugs.
Both hit the EMCS Wolverines senior boys’ basketball team with a vengeance over the last two weeks, sidelining most of the players – even coach Alex Wright.
“The flu affected everybody, but we’re feeling better now,” Wright said.
“The guys are coming out with more energy and we’re firing on all cylinders.”
But it did takes its toll on the standings.
Last week, the Wolverines lost to St. Andrews 58-55 and Reynolds 57-49.
The injured players returned in those games, allowing the Wolverines to play with a full roster for the first time in weeks.
And while, it was nice to see the returning players on the bench, the team came out sluggish.
“We let small things get into our heads. A couple of guys didn’t like the way they were shooting or the calls the refs were making on them,” Wright said.
“We do fine at the beginning of the game and the end of the game. We just have to do better in the middle two quarters.”
The Wolverines hope to get back on the winning track Tuesday (Jan. 31) when they host rival Victoria High.
Earlier in the season, Victoria High edged EMCS by a few points in tournament play. The Wolverines were missing key players in the contest.
Wright expects a tight game, and sees no reason why his charges can’t come out on top.
“We’ll give them a better challenge this game. We’ll score more points and hopefully hold them down,” Wright said. “We know what we have to watch out for.”
“I think we’re gelling as we come down the stretch here.”
SIDELINES … The EMCS Wolverines’ have posted a 2-4 season record, four-games behind first place Spectrum … The Wolverines play two exhibition games this week against Qualicum’s Kwalicum Secondary School and Timberline Secondary School from Campbell River … Centre Alec McKenzie leads the Wolverines with 107 points followed by Zero Yang (44) and Tyler Scheubel.
