Snakebitten - Strong 2nd half leads Rattlers to Victory
The Medicine Hat Rattlers men's basketball team overcame and 17 point first half deficit to storm back to finish off the Ambrose Lions 90-79 on Friday night.
Jaamel Slack, the 5th year forward from Victoria B.C. led all scorers with 26 as the Rattlers made all the right adjustments at halftime, while the Lion' shooting prowess seemed to fall of the rails in the second half.
Ambrose's leader Josh Daniel went down clutching his knee twice during the second half on drives to the basket (due to cramping), but shortly after returned to the game showing no ill effects. He finished with 21, finishing behind player of the game Isaac Gray, who had 22, along with seven rebounds and eight assists.
The Rattlers, who have only one native Medicine Hat player on their roster (Nick Murschell), also had effective performances from Jon Sappleton, with 18, and DeAngelo Ashley, whose size was effectively used on both sides of the floor, and who buried dunks in the fourth quarter to finish off the Lions.
The result evened both teams' records at 5-2. The Rattlers play at SAIT on Saturday, while Ambrose will try to break the losing trend in Red Deer, before coming home to host Briercrest next weekend in a doubleheader stand-off with the Clippers.
- David Standish (Ambrose Athletics)