Robyn Silvernagle (far left), Kelly Schaffer (middle left), Sherry Just (middle right), and Kara Thevenot (far right) pose after winning the 2023 Viterra Scotties Saskatchewan provincial championship on Jan. 29, 2023. (Britton Gray/980 CJME)

By Nigel Maxwell

Dynamics key to victory at Nationals, says Team Silvernagle

Feb 16, 2023 | 5:00 PM

Prince Albert’s Kara Thevenot and Sherry Just are heading west this week for the Scotties Tournaments of Hearts in Kamloops.

The two members of Team Silvernagle are anxious to get back on the ice after a thrilling victory at last month’s Viterra Scotties in Estevan. Thevenot, who has been to nationals before, acknowledged the team is facing a strong field, but also added they remain focused on what needs to be done.

“Honestly just go out there like we did at provincials and concentrate on making shots and the outcome will take care of itself,” she said.

The team’s victory at provincials was essentially the second time they played together as a unit, having been assembled in November ahead of the Last Chance Playdowns in North Battleford. Thevenot explained when the team was put together, they knew everyone had tremendous skill, but also all being long-time friends, also recognized they could work well together.

“Honestly everyone knew their role and we just tried to do as much as we could to help make shots,” she said, adding her belief that among the team’s strengths was their communication and their openness to constructive criticism.

Inflation

Rent inflation to slow in the next few years, Desjardins predicts

9h ago

Fire in Nipawin area

Fire destroys house in R.M. of Torch River

10h ago

Election results

New and familiar faces elected during municipal election in Northeast communities

11h ago

“We just all want the best for each other.”

Kara Thevenot is focused on winning a national championship. (Facebook)

Looking ahead to nationals, Thevenot said it’s important the team gets to know and adjusts to each other’s tendencies a bit better, such as the fact Kelly Schaffer throws left-handed. But Thevenot also acknowledged the team’s support back at home are also important.

“So shout out to grandma for keeping the kids. It takes everybody,” she said.

While Sherry Just has been to nationals before as part of a mixed team, she’s never been to the Scotties Tournament of Hearts. Prior to leaving Prince Albert on Tuesday, she acknowledged there is definitely a different feeling with this competition.

“There’s a lot of history with the Scotties and so to be to share the ice with all the other girls that are going to be there, and thinking about all the other teams that have been there is pretty special,” she said.

Commenting on the team’s success at provincials, Just explained when a team gets assembled in that fashion, it’s either gonna work really well or not at all

“Fortunately for us, it worked really, really well,” she said, adding on paper, each member have their own list of accomplishments so it was just a matter of making it work as a team.

Sherry Just is excited to make her Scotties debut. (Facebook)

Looking ahead to Nationals, Just also acknowledged a team’s dynamics are crucial. She also added that going into the last two competitions, the team knew they had a good shot at winning, but added their real strength came from staying relaxed and having fun.

“I play much better when I am relaxed and having fun and that definitely showed in the final with our whole team,” she said.

Much like Thevenot, Just will have support in the stands from close family friends as well as her partner. She also acknowledged her parents, who live in Manitoba, will be watching with her grandmother – who quite possibly may be Just’s biggest fan.

“She keeps asking me when are you gonna be on TV, and by TV she means TSN, so this is the first time I’ll be on TSN and she’ll get to watch,” she said.

The 2023 Scotties Tournament of Hearts will be played Feb. 17-26 at the Sandman Centre in Kamloops, British Columbia. Team Silvernagle’s first game is at 8 p.m. on Feb. 17, versus Nova Scotia.

—

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell