Hopes are high for the young Edmonton Energy basketball team as it is set to have its season opener Friday at the University of Alberta’s Main Gym.
It’s the team’s third season in the International Basketball League, and head coach and general manager Paul Sir said there is no doubt in his mind that his team plays some of the best basketball west of Toronto.
“We want to contend for a championship. When you lay it all out there, that’s what our goal is,” Sir said. “The important thing we want to focus on is what we do on a daily basis to earn the right to say we want to win a championship.”
That focus includes not only team building and chemistry, but also establishing themselves in the community as premier role models in the city.
Edmonton must be feeling the energy too, since Sir explained that pre-season tickets sales are two to three times greater in comparison to last year.
“Whoever attends the games, I know they are going to be entertained,” he said. “The guys are accomplished players, great people both on the court and in the community, so we are just very hopeful that people will take the time to come out to the games.”
Friday’s game is the start of a three-game weekend series against the Tacoma Tide. It starts at 7 p.m. and tickets can be purchased at Basketball Alberta by calling 780-427-9044.
