The Cochrane Cobras senior boys basketball team came away with a hard-fought tournament win over the weekend in Red Deer.

The Cobras raised the cup at the St. Joseph's tournament by downing Cardinal Schubert, 85-59, in the final.

Key to that title was getting past a strong Strathmore Spartans team in the opening game. The two have previously met in the final of the Cochrane Classic that saw the Cobras win in overtime.

"It was a tough game against Strathmore," says coach Patrick Court. "It was back and forth. It was a dogfight. It was like a couple of heavy-weight boxers going at it."

The Cobras won by a six-point margin, 78-72.

"This was a great team win where each player on the team had to contribute," says Court. "Jack Smilski and Logan Higginson had big games which helped us get the win."

The Cobras pulled away in the fourth quarter against the Holy Rosary Raiders, of Lloydminster, to win their second game, 77-64.

"Cody Wunder and Ty Metcalfe owned the defensive end of the floor, which helped propel our offense. Logan Higginson and Josh McClellan hit some fourth-quarter 3s that helped us pull away."

"This was a great weekend for the boys to head into the exam break with a lot of confidence," says Court.

From the opening tipoff, the Cobras were in control against in the finals.

Already, the Cobras have five tournaments under their belt and they have two more ahead of them in Ardrossan and Bowness.

Most of their tournaments have been against larger ranked 4A school teams.

"Our hope is by playing these tough tournaments and these really tough schools, that it gives us experience as we move forward so we know how to win these type games."

Taking on an intense season could go one of two ways for the team, says Court. They could feel overplayed or continue to build the team's chemistry.

"We hope from these tournaments we continue to improve, and the guys are working as a team."

The Cobras are undefeated in their first three games in the Rocky View League. Their next league game is Feb. 5 in Airdrie against the Bert Church Chargers.