The senior girls' varsity team at Cochrane High continue to build momentum leading into the thick of the basketball season.

The Cobras returned from their first tournament of the season with gold in the Strathcona-Tweedsmuir Invitational in Okotoks, last weekend

The team beat Didsbury, then Calgary Christian leading into the finals against the host in the eight-team tournament. Playing in a noisy gym packed with Strathcona-Tweedsmuir fans, the Cobras took a 22-10 lead in the first quarter and never looked back.

Cobra Brooklyn Bolstad was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player and head coach Randy Peron says it's the first time a Cobra has been named MVP since he started coaching the team several years ago.

The team's other two captains were unavailable due to exams, leaving Bolstad to carry the load.

Cobra Brooklyn Bolstad was named MVP of the Strathcona-Tweedsmuir Invitational.

"She took it upon her shoulders and helped and mentor and lead by example on and off the court," says Peron. "She was a captain in every way and well deserved most valuable player of the tournament."

Peron is impressed with how the team performed at the tournament and says they are already building momentum towards what is a heavy schedule leading up to the divisional, zone and provincial championships.

"Our team is at another level right now and it's paid off in spades with us having success of late," says Peron. "It was the effort that gave us the victory. The kids are learning how to win now. We were in the final at our home tournament in December. We lost it, but you learn things when you lose that game and you take that experience because we're such a young team. You equate it to having another chance, which we did. and the kids opened up in the final and just ran with it. I'm very proud of them."

Up until the tournament final, the Cobras have been slow starters in their games, although, they have only registered one loss early in the season against Chestermere. 

Since then the team has built upon their depth and went into the tournament short four of their regulars from their 15-player roster.

"We didn't have our full roster and we were successful. It shows the depth that we've got this year. With a shorter roster, it's giving the younger kids more court time and helped them develop quicker, which has made us a deep, strong team now."

Also aiding was a five-day trip to Phoenix to challenge some American teams over the Christmas break. They lost there but gained some valuable experience and did some team bonding.

The Cobras have two regular-season games left, followed by a Notre Dame High School tournament. There's tough competition there and Peron likes using it to gear up for the playoff run. It's also one they have proven they belong in by winning it once, placing third and claiming the consolation event.

The Cobras are hoping to avenge their loss to Chestermere in the Rocky View Sports divisional playoffs.

"We're hoping to get another chance at them in the league final because we've improved so much. They're the team to beat and we want another crack at them."

Last night the Cobras kept their winning ways rolling with a 97-34 win on the road against W. H. Croxford and now have two games left in their regular RVS schedule. Their next game is against the Bow Valley Bobcats, Feb. 6.