Things are improving for Cowichan Secondary's senior girls basketball team, even if the wins haven't yet materialized.
The Thunderbirds lost their last two games - 63-42 against G.P. Vanier in Courtenay last Thursday and 49-27 at home against Alberni District on Tuesday - but both contests were close at halftime and the coaches see that the players are improving.
Much of Cowichan's game - rebounding, passing, running of the offence, fast break and press-breaking - took a step forward against Vanier, where the T-Birds trailed just 29-24 at the half.
Against Alberni on Tuesday, the gap was again just five points at halftime.
"The game with Port Alberni followed the pattern of most of our games recently," coach Jim Nugent said. "In the third quarter the girls had about a three-or four-minute lapse and were unable to close the gap after that. Despite another loss, the coaching staff can see improvement and were really happy with girls compete level."
Sarah St. Cyr was Cowichan's top scorer on Tuesday with six points.