Dynamics are key to Scotties victory: Team Silvernagle

By Nigel Maxwell

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

The two members of Team Silvernagle said they’re 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 said 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 the provincial women’s curling championship 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 that when the team was put together they knew everyone had tremendous skill, and because they’re all long-time friends they recognized they could work well together.

“Everyone knew their role, and we just tried to do as much as we could to help make shots,” Thevenot said, adding that among the team’s strengths is their communication and their openness to constructive criticism.

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

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 third Kelly Schaffer throws left-handed.

Thevenot also acknowledged the importance of the team’s support back at home.

“Shout out to Grandma for keeping the kids. It takes everybody,” she said.

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

“There’s a lot of history with the Scotties, and so to be able 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 that when a team gets assembled in that fashion, it’s either going to work really well or not at all.

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

Looking ahead to nationals, Just also acknowledged that team dynamics are crucial. She also added that during the last two competitions 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 said her parents who live in Manitoba will be watching, along 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 from Friday to Feb. 26 at the Sandman Centre in Kamloops. Team Silvernagle’s first game is Friday at 8 p.m., against Nova Scotia.