Rattlers stay Perfect in the Pit
The Medicine Hat Rattlers had a quick turnaround playing the Red Deer College Queens less than 24 hours after the Olds Broncos. Red Deer Entered the Snake Pit where the Rattlers had dominated all year. The Queens came out hard hoping to capitalize on a tired Rattler team. Medicine Hat had some trouble finding a groove early as both teams struggled to find the basket. 3 trips up and back with no baskets saw both coaches frustrated with their teams. Rattlers coach Clayton Nielson was the First to try and settle his team with a timeout. This seemed to help both teams as they started to make baskets. The Rattlers came out of the first quarter up by a basket 14-12.
The second quarter was a much more exciting period. Both teams scored back and forth with neither establishing a foothold. Some fouls both ways had certain players watching their fouls. Medicine Hat made 3 consecutive baskets at the end of the quarter to re-establish their slim lead 23-21.
Medicine Hat came out hard in the 3rd quarter. Starting with a 11-3 run, the Rattlers gained control of the game. Guards Kendell Kuntz and Rachel Sherven outworked their defenders and helping the Rattlers in to a position of control. Frustration grew on the Red Deer side of the ball and Medicine Hat jumped on a few turnovers and expanded their lead ending the 3rd up 36-29
The fourth was much of the same, the Queens battled back hard but the lead was too much as the rattlers closed out the game and cruised to victory with a 20 point win. 64-44.