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56 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday December 12, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Halton basketball seniors win Spectator girls' tourney Led by two dominant performances by Milton's Kayla Alexander, the Halton squad won its second consecutive Hamilton Spectator All-Star Girls' Basketball Classic title last week in Hamilton. Alexander, a member of the national junior team, scored a total of 43 points in two games as Halton blew out Hamilton Public 81-53 in the semifinal, then downed Brant County 6755 in the championship contest. Alexander added 40 rebounds and 10 blocks in the tournament, earning MVP honours. While Alexander stole the spotlight, many local residents also played roles in Halton's victory. Oakville Trafalgar's Whitney Gratton and Loyola's Ashara Cadogan each scored six points in the win over Hamilton Public, with Abbey Park's Erin Tilley contributing five points. Loyola's Marti Killeen effectively ran Halton's fast-break attack in the rout. In the second game, Holy Trinity's Doreen Bonsu scored nine first-half points on her way to a 13-point outing. Tilley drained a long three-pointer and finished with seven points, four assists, eight rebounds and two steals. Cadogan added five points, Holy Trinity's Lauren Morris netted three and Abbey Park's Kayla Goodhoofd scored two for Halton, which held off a late surge by Brant County. Mike Bernard and Mike Gratton coached the Halton squad. Hamilton Catholic won the consolation title with a 64-47 victory over Hamilton Public. VICTORIOUS IN VEGAS: Members of the Ostrich hockey team check out the plaque they earned by winning the Canlan Classic Las Vegas Hockey Tournament's over-30 division championship last month. Ostrich old-timers champs in Vegas By Jon Kuiperij BEAVER SPORTS EDITOR Fill the Net toy drive this weekend The Minor Oaks Hockey Association hopes to Fill the Net this weekend. As part of its annual holiday toy drive, the MOHA has arranged collection stations at several local arenas. Unwrapped toys for families and children can be dropped off at Glen Abbey Recreation Centre today (Friday) between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. and tomorrow from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Stations will also be set up Sunday at Joshua's Creek Arenas (7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) and River Oaks Community Centre (all day). After years of deliberation, the Ostrich finally headed for the sands -- the sands of Las Vegas, that is. A local collection of middle-aged hockey-playing friends and neighbours, the Ostrich (Oakville Super Talented Rejects Imitating Canadian Hockey) team went undefeated in four games at last month's Canlan Classic Las Vegas Hockey Tournament, winning the men's over-30 championship. The trip was the first of its kind for the Ostrich group, which has played pickup shinny Thursday nights at Maplegrove Arena since 1991. "We had talked about going away and playing in a tournament for a long time," said Bruce Grant, who joined the Ostrich program in 1996. "It was certainly a lot of fun, and we're already talking about doing it again. We wish we'd done it sooner, but better late than never." Thursday shinny usually attracts 20-22 players, all of whom are in their late 40s or early 50s. Most played some level of competitive hockey in their younger days -- particularly goaltender Peter Lambert, who attended an NHL training camp in 1972. The Ostrich team sent 10 skaters and two goalies down to the Vegas tournament, confident about its chances in the over-40 division. Not enough teams signed up for the over-40 division, however, meaning the Ostriches were moved down into the over-30 group. "I think, initially, we felt we would do alright," Grant said. "But when we found out we were playing, in some cases, kids who were 28 years old -- they bent the rules obviously -- we weren't sure." It didn't end up mattering. The Ostrich squad posted 3-1 and 2-1 victories as well as a 4-4 tie in the opening round, then edged a Dallas squad 3-2 in the final. Grant, who scored twice in the championship game, said he and his teammates employed a specific strategy against their younger opponents. "We realized, in some cases, we couldn't skate with them. But they seemed to put a lot of their fast guys on forward, so we did a lot of dump and chase," he said. "That seemed to "The toughest part work and helped us to put was probably pressure on their defence when we had two and create some opportugames in one day. nities. It would have "The one thing that hit been at least 25 all of us was the altitude, years or 30 years which none of us had even for myself since I thought about," he added. played two games "That took a couple of in one day." games to get used to. And the toughest part was Bruce Grant probably when we had two games in one day. It would have been at least 25 years or 30 years for myself since I played two games in one day." The team also had to adjust to playing regulation games with referees, whistles, offsides and, most notably, increased intensity. "In pickup, you're coasting a bit and not really too concerned about the score. When you get into a tournament, its 45-second shifts and you're going hard for 45 seconds," said Grant. The team will likely head south to Vegas again next year in defence of its championship, Grant said. Other members of the team are Dennis Caponi, Don Webster, George Smith, Peter Meyrick, Jim Yurchuk, Ron Olsen, Todd Kennedy, Craig Labbett, Ken Deichert and John Leedham. Minor atom A Rangers continue to roll Continuing their dominating play, the Oakville minor atom A Rangers won the championship at the Toronto Icedogs Fall Classic tournament recently. Oakville won all five of its games, the closest being a 4-1 triumph over Caledon in the final. The Rangers, who beat both Caledon and Toronto twice at the competition while also defeating Clarington, outscored their opposition 26-2. "The average shots against us were four a game," said Oakville head coach Dwayne Clarke. "The players have embraced team play and spirit. It is truly phenomenal." The Rangers now boast an overall record of 29-3-2 this year. Members of the team are Mike Matson, Jack Ricketts, Jack Guimaraes, Stefan Janovjak, Kyle Petta Ionescu, Tyler Sampson, Harrison Clarke, Malcolm Myers, Ryan Menne, Kaol Kabat, Curtis Fernandes, Jacob Saunders, Kyle Barrett, Vladimir Miksic, Riley Butler, Jordan Kemp and Nicolas Dupuis. Steve Sampson, Danny Petta Ionescu and Desmond Fernandes coach the team, which is managed by Gloria Myers and Christine Barrett. On all purchases between Nov. 25th & Dec. 24th, 2008. JUST 6" OF SNOWFALL ON JAN. 15th, 2009 AND YOUR PURCHASE IS FREE. www.knarjewellery.com Let It Snow 6"