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Trials for some of the 21 sports featured at the 2020 Arctic Winter Games began early in November. The girls鈥� basketball team has already had two of their four tryouts and coach Sean McCarron has been happy with what he鈥檚 seen so far.

McCarron said if any players missed the first two tryouts, the next two are this Thursday and Sunday and would like any prospective athletes to make at least half of trials.

At the first wave of tryouts, McCarron said he saw decent turnout.

鈥淲e had 13 plus three or four that couldn鈥檛 make it,鈥� said McCarron. 鈥淲e had a sense with numbers and I am happy with those who came out. There is good talent from Grades 10 to 12.鈥�

The boys鈥� basketball team held one tryout and has already chosen their team. Before the trials for the girls鈥� team began, McCarron said he held an open house to try and recruit players. That is why it was decided upon four tryouts.

McCarron, the coach of the Vanier Crusaders boys鈥� basketball team said he is going to combine what has worked for him in the past with the skill sets of the players at tryouts when deciding on how the team will play.

鈥淚鈥檓 still having to get to know the team,鈥� said McCarron. 鈥淚 think we will have to be fast, aggressive and will need to push the ball.

鈥淲e won鈥檛 be super tall, but there are skilled ball handlers who have individual skills to excel. There are some who can shoot and dribble and it will be my job to figure out the best way to score.鈥�

At the tryouts, McCarron said he is running the girls through drills to see their skills at dribbling, passing and shooting, to name a few.

Then the trials move to gameplay scenarios to see if the athletes can apply what they鈥檝e learned. McCarron said the gameplay drills allow him to visualize where the players might be on the floor.

When the team is selected after the final trial Sunday, McCarron said the team is going to work on the offensive side of the ball.

鈥淭he focus will be on the offence in the next couple of months, lots of footwork,鈥� said McCarron. 鈥淲e will focus on offence because if the defence is to good early it thwarts the offence.鈥�

McCarron said once the team is made, he is excited to work with players from other schools.

鈥淭hey are all playing high school ball,鈥� said McCarron. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an exciting opportunity to coach girls from different high schools and have them work together and challenge each other.鈥�

Before the AWG, McCarron said the girls鈥� team will play in the Lights Out tournament, as well, they are looking into a tournament in Edmonton in mid-February.

鈥淚t will be a good opportunity to play some good games beforehand,鈥� said McCarron.

Although McCarron said he doesn鈥檛 have much experience with Arctic Winter Games basketball he believes the team chosen will have what it takes to win.

鈥淚 haven鈥檛 seen enough AWG basketball, so who knows what the other contingents will bring,鈥� said McCarron. 鈥淚f they all stay healthy and continue to improve I really want to believe we can challenge for gold.鈥�

Once the team is made McCarron said it will be about figuring out what works best for them.

鈥淲e will improve and we are looking forward to the challenge,鈥� said McCarron. 鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be fun.鈥�

The Thursday tryout will be held Nov. 14 from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Vanier. The final tryout Sunday will go from 3-5 p.m. at F.H. Collins.

If basketball isn鈥檛 your sport the information for the other sports tryouts can be found on the Sport Yukon website. The first wave of trials began in early November but will continue through January.

The Arctic Winter Games will be celebrating their 50th anniversary when they commence in Whitehorse on March 15.

The games will feature athletes from the circumpolar north competing in 21 different sports.