WEYBURN - The Estevan Comprehensive School Elecs and the Weyburn Comprehensive School Eagles each won one game to open the best-of-four McLeod Series, but the Elecs have a sizable lead when it comes to the point differential tie-breaker.
The opening games of the McLeod Series were held Feb. 12 in Weyburn. The Eagles senior boys defeated their counterparts from ECS 80-75 in a back-and-forth contest to open the night, while the Elecs senior girls routed their Weyburn foes 72-44 in the second contest of the night.
Weyburn came out flying in the senior boys' game, taking a 25-8 lead after the first quarter. Estevan fought back, cutting the deficit to 33-30 at half-time. The Elecs had a seven-point lead with nine minutes to play in the fourth quarter, but according to Elecs' coach Trevor Dutka, Weyburn's shooting fired up down the stretch.
Blake Andrist finished with 26 points for Estevan. Broden Henry had 16 points and 10 assists, and Kash Casemore finished with 16 points and 17 rebounds.
As for the senior girls' game, the Elecs led throughout the contest and wound up winning by 28 for one of ECS's most convincing victories in Weyburn in the McLeod Series in years.
Coach Jessie Smoliak said the Elecs threw a couple of different defences at Weyburn to make them adjust their offence.
"The girls knew they needed to make defence a priority with rebounding. Giving Weyburn second opportunities under the basket is what we wanted to take away," said Smoliak.
Offensively, the Elecs pushed the ball up the court and tried to use their post game more.
"There were some nerves at the beginning of the game, with turning the ball over too much. We need to do a better job in our home gym," Smoliak said.
Jordyn Tarnes finished with 26 points, 15 rebounds and 1 assist to pace the Elecs' attack. Sadie Aspinall had 24 points, two rebounds and three assists, and Megan Porter had 11 points, nine rebounds and six assists.
Smoliak said she is looking forward to hosting the last half of the series. She expects there will be a great turnout from the community.
The second half of the series will be played Feb. 26 at the ECS gymnasium. The senior girls will play at 5:30 p.m. and the senior boys' game starts at 7:30 p.m.
The Elecs have a 147-124 lead over the Eagles in the point-differential tie-breaker after the first two games.
ECS is seeking its second straight victory in the McLeod Series. Weyburn holds a 47-40 edge in the history of the series.
