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Rattlers crowned victors against Kings & Queens

Nov 4, 2017 | 6:52 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – They weren’t perfect games, but the Medicine Hat College Rattlers basketball teams did enough to earn victories over Red Deer College on Saturday afternoon.

Starting with the Rattlers ladies, Medicine Hat was looking to remain undefeated on the season and pick up their sixth win of the year against the Queens.

Neither team was able to make an impact early, with both coaches laying into their respective squads early in the opening quarter.

The Rattlers ended up going 5-17 from the field in the first quarter, taking a 14-12 lead over the Queens heading to the second.

Both teams struggled to hit their shots in the second as well with the Rattlers and Queens combining for just 18 points, but three straight Medicine Hat baskets to end the quarter gave the home team a 23-21 lead at the half.

Medicine Hat came out of the gates flying to begin the second half, going on an 11-3 run to start the third quarter.

Shania Baptiste continued her strong game with a pair of baskets in the third, putting the Rattlers ahead by a 36-29 count.

After being quiet for much of the game, Kendell Kuntz broke away in the fourth quarter with eight points for Medicine Hat, helping the Rattlers to secure their sixth-straight victory by a 64-44 final score.

Kuntz, Baptiste, and Kennedy Werre all posted points in the double-digits, with Werre collecting yet another double-double with 17 rebounds.

Improving to a 6-0 record, the Rattlers remain in first place in the South Division standings and second place in the ACAC, only trailing the 7-0 Lakeland College Rustlers.

Less than 24 hours after picking up a victory over Olds College, the Rattlers men’s team also returned to the hardwood against Red Deer College on Saturday.

A strong start for the Rattlers men, with all five starters hitting the scoreboard in the game’s opening 10 minutes to take an 18-12 lead over the Kings after one quarter.

Aaron Cameron and Jon Sappleton stood out for Medicine Hat in the second quarter, combining for 12 of the team’s 20 points in the second to vault the Rattlers to a 38-23 lead at halftime.

Red Deer got into some foul trouble in the third quarter, with the Rattlers picking up 30 points in the quarter alone to head to the fourth quarter up 68-45 on the Kings.

The Kings bench was shortened even more in the final quarter with a pair of ejections, but Red Deer was able to outscore the Rattlers 28-20 nonetheless.

Luckily for Medicine Hat, their lead held for the remaining 10 minutes and were able to hang on for an 88-73 win at home.

Cameron was the top point-getter for the Rattlers with 23 to his name, while Sappleton and Osato Obaseki also had strong afternoons as well.

Moving to a 5-1 record on the 2017-18 season, Medicine Hat sits first place in the South Division and have the top winning percentage in the entire ACAC.

The homestand at the ‘Snake Pit’ continues next weekend for the Rattlers, as the men’s and women’s teams play host to the SAIT Trojans on Friday night.

Opening tip-off in the women’s game will go at 6:00 pm, with the men following suit at 8:00 pm.