Continuing their busy week of basketball play, the Jr. Dinos took the floor on Thursday May 3 against the Calgary Selects U-19 team. The Selects suited up many of the top grade 12 players from Calgary and the surrounding areas including Bert Church Stars Zack Mckee and Dallon Martin, Notre Dame star Jordan Hope, City Finalists and John Diefenbaker stars Fuad Osman and Brighton Gbrizia, UVIC signee Pierce Anderson, and Springbank scorer Addison Gough. A tough test for the young Dinos, their nerves would be their biggest enemy at the beginning of the game.

After only a few minutes, the Dinos trailed early to the Selects 10-4. The Dinos were getting great looks but could not capitalize against the older Selects. Dallon Martin was also on fire for the Jr. Dinos opponents dropping 18 big points in the first half and putting the selects up by a 46-38 margin (Coming in to the game, the Jr. Dinos had the fewest points against in the Airdrie Spring League giving up a slight 60 points per game).

The second half was a different story. The Jr. Dinos came out firing and got back to the defensive game plan that has made this early season so successful. Catalyzed by a quick Sean McCormick, an energized Kendell Boese, and a few early made shots, the Jr. Dinos cut the lead to 48-47 after just 2 minutes of action of the second half. From there, the Dinos defense took control of the game. The Selects scored only 26 in the second half while the Dinos finally starting hitting their shots to complete the 88-72 victory.

The Jr. Dinos were once again led by the strong inside play of Dom Coward who poured in 20 points on 7 of 12 shooting while grabbing a monstrous 15 rebounds and adding 3 big blocked shots. Other double digit scorers included Ian Tomaszewski with 16, Taylor Norum with 12, and Eric Bakker with 11. Solid performance by the Jr. Dinos two point guards, Trevor Debolt and Matt Urbanowski solidified the Dino attack, while Kendell Boese, Paul Ohlinger and Derrick Waldner played great defense all night.

The Dinos take to the floor again this weekend in the Stars Season Opener Basketball Tournament. All Jr. Dinos games will be played at Holy Trinity Academy in Okotoks. Game time on Friday is at 7:00pm vs. Cranbrook TQN.