The Cochrane High JV boys basketball team faced some stiff competition on their way to the gold medal in a Strathmore tournament over the weekend.

The Cobras got to preview some of the teams they might be facing in the zone finals, including Foothills Academy and Holy Trinity Academy.

Head coach Walter Anderson believes the team gained valuable experience by playing these larger 4A schools in the tournament.

"It's always good when the boys get to play against teams they'll hopefully see down the road in zones," says Anderson. "I think it was good to see the competition we look to compete against moving forward."

"I always preach to the boys that our goal is to get better each game, each day, each practice so that once we get to early March, we are at the best that we can be in order to be as successful as we can in zones."

They beat HTA in the Strathmore final, 68-59.

"We like to set the tone early, play very strong defense, be very energetic on the court, and hopefully by the fourth quarter it's not too interesting, but this time it turned out to be a pretty interesting game down the stretch, and luckily the boys were able to pull it out in the end."

They have one game left in the Rocky View Sports regular season against the Springbank Phoenix. The Cobras are currently at the top of the standings.

He says the team hasn't allowed COVID to dampen their enthusiasm. 

"They come to practice with smiles most days, and they're just excited to be with their friends and be playing the game that they love."

The JV team is competing at a West Island College tournament this weekend in Calgary.