By Scott Roblin

Rattlers basketball teams fall short against Kings & Queens

Feb 4, 2018 | 4:04 PM

RED DEER, AB – Close but no cigar for the Medicine Hat College Rattlers on Saturday, dropping both of their basketball contests against Red Deer College.

The Rattlers men’s team pressed hard but their comeback attempt fell one point short, dropping an 83-82 decision to the Kings.

Shooting beyond the arc helped the Kings to a seven point lead in the first quarter, eventually taking a 20-13 lead into the break.

Aaron Cameron and Jon Sappleton came alive with eight points each in the second, but the Rattlers still trailed 47-33 entering halftime.

Medicine Hat’s best quarter of the game came in the third with an 18 point showing, however the Kings were able to knock down 16 points of their own.

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Trailing 65-58 entering the fourth quarter, the Rattlers began to chip away at the deficit with Sappleton’s 12 points leading the way.

Sappleton hit a jump shot as time expired, but it was only good for two points as Medicine Hat suffered an 83-83 loss to fall to 12-4 on the year.

Cameron and Sappleton supplied most of the Rattlers’ offence with a combined 46 points, while Osato Obaseki was also a factor with 15 points and eight rebounds in the loss.

The Rattlers women’s team was hoping to respond after being blown out by Red Deer College on Friday night, snapping a three-game win streak.

Midway through the opening quarter, the Queens were able to go on a 7-0 run to take control of the game and lead Medicine Hat 17-10 after 10 minutes.

Shots started to fall for the Rattlers in the second quarter though, with four of the team’s five starters making baskets to put Medicine Hat ahead 26-25 at halftime.

Medicine Hat extended their lead in the second half, but the Queens were able to keep pace thanks to some strong shooting at the line to make it a 44-41 game.

Fourth quarter shooting was an issue for Medicine Hat for the second straight game, only making three baskets in the final 10 minutes.

This opened the door for Red Deer, who drained 14 points in the fourth quarter to comeback and take a 55-52 win.

Courtney Henry had a team-high 16 points in the loss, while Kendell Kuntz dropped 15 points for the Rattlers.

Seeing their lead for second place in the ACAC South Division fall to just two points, the Rattlers women’s team now sits at 11-5.

Pair of home games are on the docket for the Rattlers next weekend, playing host to the Briercrest Clippers on Friday and Saturday.