The impact of a win by the Cochrane Cobras and loss by the Bow Valley Bobcats varsity girls won't be clear until Rocky View divisional regular season basketball play wraps up next week.

The Bobcats dropped a 45-42 decision to the Chestermere Lakers while the Cobras came alive after the first quarter to overwhelm the Bert Church Chargers, 75-47, in Feb. 6 league play.

With identical 4-1 records, the two Cochrane teams are at the top of the league but a win by the Bobcats in overtime against the Cobras gives them the edge to finish first and secure a bye from the first round of playoffs. On Feb. 13, the Bobcats are in Springbank while the Cobras are at home against the George McDougall Mustangs in what is also their senior game to recognize their graduating grade 12 players.

The Cobras were down 16-7 after the first quarter but took back control in the second quarter and registered their highest-scoring game of the season. 

Cobras head coach Randy Peron says he was impressed with how the team’s play improved as the game progressed and attributes the slow start to rust from not seeing the court in six days.

Six of their grade 12 players scored 10 points-plus in the game and the team particularly dominated in the second and third quarters, scoring 34 points to the Chargers 14.

The Bobcats had a 28-12 lead with a few minutes remaining in the first half against the Lakers but lost momentum.

Head coach Kris Nielson says they, too, haven't had any court time since the examine break, and that may be the reason why they lacked intensity. 

The team was without 6'1" centre Morgan Boot who won't return to the line for a few weeks and their top three-point shooter, Hannah Bahrey, fouled out early in the game.

This game was their seniors night.

Building Momentum Towards Post-Season

The schedules of both teams are designed to momentum towards divisional, zone and possibly provincial playoffs. Both will be playing in tournaments over the next three weekends and how they fare there will impact their rankings of the Alberta Schools' Athletic Association. The higher they're ranked, the more favourable their draw. 

Both teams are playing in the High River tournament this weekend and in Strathmore next weekend. The Cobras have opted to play in a Wetaskiwin tournament the weekend following while the Bobcats are at in a Crescent Heights in Calgary

New rankings come out after this weekend's play and a final ranking will be issued just prior to the zone championships.

"Honestly, I think there are four teams in this zone, maybe even five that are capable of winning the zone," says Nielson. "So the zone championships are going to be very highly contested."

Cochrane High is hosting this year's 3A girls zone championship, Mar. 8-9.

Cobra Boys Team at Home Feb. 14

The Cochrane High boys team has been idle since the end of January after this week’s game was cancelled due to extreme cold. They are at home against the Bert Church Chargers on Feb. 14 in a game that is also a fundraiser for Kids Cancer Care and it's also the team’s senior night to recognize graduating players.

The Cobras are 2-1 in RVS league play heading into the game.