Nationally top-ranked Kodiaks women’s basketball dominating

After another 2-0 weekend, it’s becoming clear, the Lethbridge Kodiaks women’s basketball team is on a mission. The Kodiaks dismantled the Medicine Hat Rattlers this weekend, beating their rivals by a combined 52 points in two games. Winning 80-50 on Friday and 77-55 on Saturday, the team improved to a perfect 9-0 on the season.

“This team could be capable of going undefeated for quite a while,” said Kodiaks women’s basketball coach Brad Karren. “It’s really tough to go undefeated in any sport, because you can lose focus. It’s just a matter of how bad they want it.”

Of course, the team’s fabulous play shouldn’t come as a surprise. After all, this is a team that won silver at nationals last year. While there’s still a long way to go, this year’s group may be as good, if not better than last year’s squad. The Kodiaks have routinely beaten teams by 20 points, 30, and sometimes 40 points. It’s success their coach credits to his Kodiaks ‘team-first’ play.

“We really drill it into the players that you have to be unselfish, you have to make that pass,” said Karren. “It’s about the team and not the individual, and this group has bought into that. It just seems like we kind of took off.”

Until the Kodiaks come up against stiffer competition, their toughest opponent might just be themselves.

“It’s tough, trying to keep their focus is the hardest part,” said Karren. “You go out and play, and you try to tell them it doesn’t matter who you’re playing. If you don’t play your best, especially on the road, teams will step up and play better against you. They’ll get you, if you’re not prepared.”

The Kodiaks are off for the Christmas break and won’t play again until Jan. 15. But when they return, they’ll put their national top ranking on the line when they face the 9-1 St. Mary’s squad.