Kings steal one from Rattlers

The Red Deer Kings entered the Snake Pit in a rematch of the previous nights game. The Medicine Hat College Rattlers played host once again. The Rattlers hoped for a similar result to the night before while Red Deer needed to make some Changes in order to slow down the Rattlers High powered offence. The game started with both teams running on adrenaline and missing their first trip each down the floor. The Kings opened the scoring with an easy bucket inside on their next trip down. After scoring another, the visitors has a small advantage early taking a 6-2 lead. Medicine Hat started to run an up-tempo offence and was able to break down the Kings defensively. This lead to the rattlers taking over the lead as the middle of the quarter ticked by. Some solid play in the defensive end lead to the Home side shutting down potential Kings attacks. The lead remained slim as both teams struggled to find the basket. A tight defense from both sides saw offence stalling. As the clock moved into the final 2 minutes the offence from both sides started working. With little time on the clock both sides urgency seemed to pick up and shots started to fall. As the horn sounded the Home side held a small lead, 26-20.

Red Deer came out of the break playing hard. After scoring the first basket of the frame they shut down the Rattlers offence on 2 straight trips down the floor. This surge saw the Kings take over the lead. This was short lived as Rattlers guard Omon Edobar made a statement drive on their next trip down the floor. Following this exchange the teams traded baskets as the score flip flopped. Neither team able to gain a firm control of the game. At the mid point of the quarter the score was knotted at 36. Rattler Jon Sappelton took the ball coast to coast for a 3 point play to regain the Rattler lead. this lead did not last as Red Deer was able to stay right with the Home side. A much tighter game than the night before, it was a battle for every board, point and loose ball. The end of the quarter started to slow down with lots of whistles and fouls called. As the pace slowed down neither team was able to gain any momentum. Without this momentum the play continued to be very back and forth with the score at half 52-49

The third quarter started with Medicine Hat earning a trip to the line early in the quarter. This set the tone early as the officials were calling a very tight game. With no room for any contact fouls were called on almost every trip down the floor. This slowed down the game and made it almost difficult to watch. Both teams were in foul trouble early both in team and individual fouls. Red Deer really had to watch out, with a short bench foul trouble could spell disaster. Teams started to play a bit looser on the defensive end in an attempt to stop the fouls. This resulted in points from both teams, neither able to gain a firm hold on the game. The back and forth play continued as the Rattlers continued to hold their slight lead. this stayed until the last minute of the quarter when the Kings were able to tie the game at 72. The Kings got to the line with no time left and were able to take a 2 point lead into the break. The Kings lead 74-72

The Rattlers came out of the break with a fast bucket to tie the game. As the game slowed down again with foul calls the Kings were able to gain control on a few trips to the line. Up by 4 they held this lead as 4 minutes passed in the quarter. The Rattlers were playing from behind for the first time and were pushing the pace with high energy offence and defense. At some times outrunning themselves. The game was tied up 6 minutes in by Jaamel Slack before the Kings re-took the lead with a 3 pointer. This lead extended with another floater falling. As the clock showed 2 minutes the Kings led 90-85. The Rattlers needed some points and fast if they hoped to win this game. The calls continued as the game wound down and the Rattlers were not able to make up ground fast. They chipped away slowly trying to make up points where they can. With 15 seconds left and down by 1, the Rattlers needed to foul quickly and score to tie the match. They could not do it and Red Deer stole a game winning 94-91.

The ACAC Player of the game:

Red Deer Kings: Spencer Klassen

Medicine Hat Rattlers: Kieron Burgess.