The Estevan Thunder grades 6 and 7 girls club basketball teams recently completed their 2015-16 season with a successful showing at a tournament in Regina.
The Thunder Grade 6 team, which includes Josie Andrist, Alex Andrist, Yasmine Tyndell, Emily Phillips, Lauren Kobitz, Katie Milbrandt, Brianna Nykiforuk, Reese Madsen, Kiera Phillips, Kamila Jedrzejowska and Hyezel Montebon, went 4-0 to win the Regina Heat basketball club GYGO tournament, which was held April 29-30 at Archbishop M.C. O’Neill School. The Grade 7 team, with Rene Stephany, Julia Pangman, Bethany Montebon, Jenna Schlamp, Haylee Jones, Jennica Memory, Charlotte Andrist and Brooklyn Brady, compiled a 1-3 record at the tourney, but played competitively and kept the score close in all three games.
“They have improved immensely since we started in September to being so successful in Regina,” said Thunder coach Kevin Kobitz. “It was great. It was a good experience and I’m looking forward to doing it again next year.”
Thunder Grade 6 guard Kamila Jedrzejowska was named as the Thunder MVP this year, while Bethany Montebon earned the honour for the Grade 7 squad.
Kobitz said the girls have been practising skill development every Sunday since last September before competing in an exhibition game for each club this spring, which was followed by a tournament in Minot, North Dakota, at the Minot State University MSU Dome. The Grade 6 team earned a 3-1 record in Minot, while the Grade 7 team went 2-2.
He said the Thunder girls club basketball team began two years ago as a Grade 4 squad that went winless in its first campaign, so to have two teams compile such great records this year is a major accomplishment and showcases the skills these kids have acquired through their dedication to the game.
“The whole goal is to help them out when they get to (Estevan Comprehensive School),” said Kobitz, noting he’ll be coaching Thunder grades 7 and 8 teams next year. “That’s my goal as coach.”
