Chace Nielson

Two coaches committed to building a stronger basketball community in Cochrane are pitting their young athletes against some tough spring league competition.

The Cochrane Kodiaks juvenile boys team, led by coach Kris Nielson, and the midget B female team, coached by Doug Jensen, began play in mid-April in the Calgary Minor Basketball Association.

Nielson’s squad fell victim to some tough defensive pressure courtesy of CYDC Elite in the opening game, but have since won three straight.

Nielson said numerous players have contributed during the Kodiaks’ mini-streak.

“So far it’s gone quite well,” Nielson said. “It’s a very competitive league . . . we’re definitely looking to win the whole thing.”

Nielson noted that his team has seen major contributions from big men Garrett Godfrey and Josh Perreault, who was recently named the Rocky View Sports Association’s rookie of the year for his play with the Cochrane High Cobras during the high school season.

Nielson said Perreault uses his 6’8 frame very well and “has shown great leadership as one of our older players.”

Nielson added that Godfrey seems to have found his natural calling in the post.

“I have started noticing that Garrett has a very distinct style to his game, he’s very good with his back to the basket,” Nielson said.

Beyond the Kodiaks’ down-low presence, the team’s roster is loaded with athletic ability from top to bottom, Nielson said.

Cochrane Kodiaks midget B ballhandler Madison Nagel races past an opposing Calgary Selects defender during spring league action May 8. Photo by Jeremy Nolais

In fact, two members, Chace Nielson and Jake Moulton, have taken their skills beyond the boundaries of the Kodiaks organization and will now play for the U-15 Team Alberta at the upcoming National Championships in August.

Cochrane’s talent on the hard court is not limited to the boys division either, as the midget B female Kodiaks have made great strides in just a month playing together, according to coach Jensen.

Jensen said he decided to set up a spring league squad after his Cochrane High junior varsity girls team struggled during the past high school season.

The Kodiaks midget team is made up of Alexa Ceh and Madison Grainger, who both played as Grade 9s for Jensen this past high school season, as well as numerous junior high kids from Bearspaw, Manachaban and Mitford Middle — many of whom will join Jensen at Cochrane High next season.

Chace Nielson, above, and Cochrane Kodiaks teammate Jake Moulton have both be named to U-15 Team Alberta for the National Championships in August. Photo submitted

“I figured if I started the program a little earlier then they will be familiar with me and I with them and they will already understand the offence,” Jensen said.

Ceh said the spring season has helped her game a great deal and pointed out Jensen’s coaching style as the major reason for that.

“He’s really good at picking out what everyone’s good at,” Ceh said.

And although the Kodiaks have tallied just one win in four games, Jensen said it’s all about steady improvement.

“As long as I can help develop basketball in Cochrane then I am happy,” he said.
Jensen’s midget Kodiaks will next battle the Airdrie Angels at Calgary’s Lester B. Pearson High School on May 15, while the juvenile team plays the CYDC Panthers May 12 at Bishop Carroll High School also in Calgary.

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