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40 Sports Oakville Beaver SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 432) Fax 905-337-5571 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2009 Raiders basketball has a new look T he St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School building isn't the only thing being rebuilt these days at the corner of Dorval and Rebecca. The Raiders' senior boys' basketball program is also undergoing a drastic overhaul as it chases its third Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) medal in as many years. Gone is cornerstone center Ryan Thomson, now playing university ball for the Lakehead Thunderwolves. Also departed are guard Kyle Enright (now at Laurier) and forward Evan St. Hilaire (Fleming), both of whom were key members of last year's provincial AA championship team. Even the coaching staff is different. First-year teacher Joe Polizzi takes over the team from Mark Maga, who is now coaching at alma mater and AAAA powerhouse Hamilton Cathedral. Polizzi recognizes the history of basketball excellence he is following at Aquinas, which also won provincial AA bronze two years ago. "It's a great honour. At the same time, it's a lot of work and I've got big shoes to fill," said Polizzi, who played four years of basketball at McMaster. "It's a challenge I'm looking forward to. There's a lot of support in the school." The Aquinas cupboard isn't entirely bare. Matt Blaha -- who sank the winning layup as time expired in last year's OFSAA gold-medal game -- and Charlie Drouin -- the Raiders' high scorer in that game -- are back. They'll be joined by Dan Thompson, a transfer student from T.A. Blakelock who brings versatility in the front court. Matt Franko, Ben LeClaire, Tashan Ricketts and Will Coulthard will also play heavy minutes this season. "We're smaller, but we'll be able to run the floor and shoot," said Coulthard, a Grade 11 point guard who played senior last season. "We'll miss Ryan, but we'll have to play through Charlie a bit." Drouin was the catalyst Wednesday as Aquinas improved to 2-0 on the season with a 62-37 victory over the Georgetown Rebels. Drouin scored 14 points, pulled down 14 rebounds and had several pretty assists. Blaha also scored 14 points for the Raiders, while Ricketts had nine, Thompson scored eight and Coulthard contributed seven. Aquinas led 29-24 at halftime but broke the game open by creating turnovers and scoring in transition. "We've noticed when we step it up on defence, that's when we score our points," said Polizzi. "We're not a big team down in the paint, so for us to score points, it's going to have to come on the fast break." Polizzi and Coulthard both said getting back to OFSAA is a realistic goal for the team. "If we were to get to OFSAA, we could still go pretty far," Coulthard added. "Gold's not out of the question, but I think it will be a bit harder this year." PHOTOS BY RIZIERO VERTOLLI / OAKVILLE BEAVER OLD AND NEW: Matt Blaha (in left photo, with ball) is one of the key returnees to this year's St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders senior boys' basketball team, while Thomas Meagher (above photo, with ball) is one of many newcomers. Jenner released by women's Olympic team Unfortunately for Brianne Jenner, she'll have to wait at least four more years to realize her Olympic dreams. The 18-year-old forward was one of two players cut from the Canadian Olympic women's hockey team's centralized roster Wednesday in Calgary. Jenner, an Appleby College grad, was the youngest player at the team's centralized camp. She delayed her acceptance to Cornell University by a year in order to try out for the team. Defenceman Jocelyne Larocque of Manitoba was also released Wednesday. "We thank Brianne and Jocelyne for their hard work and dedication to the national women's program," said Team Canada head coach Melody Davidson. "It has been an absolute pleasure working with these players." Three more cuts will be made before the end of December, when Team Canada will finalize its 21-player roster for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. Canada has won women's hockey gold at the past two Olympics. Brianne Jenner Shepley back in the running for LPGA Tour card Iroquois Ridge grad Jessica Shepley shot a twounder-par 70 yesterday (Thursday) at the LPGA International, revitalizing her quest for her LPGA Tour card. Shepley shot an opening-round 77 on the Legends Course in Daytona Beach, Fla. Wednesday and sat 77th among the 105 players who made the final stage of qualifying. But the Women's CPGA champion opened yesterday's round with a couple of birdies in the first six holes on the Champions Course. She added another birdie on the ninth hole but gave that shot back with a bogey on 10. She finished with eight straight pars and a round of 70 to move her into a tie for 48th. Shepley's twoday total of 147 was just three shots out of the top 20. The top 20 players after five rounds will earn their LPGA tour cards while the next 20 will earn conditional status. Shepley had conditional status last season but only got into three tournaments, including the CN Canadian Women's Open, due to a reduced LPGA schedule. Despite a stroke average of 73.3, she did not make the cut in any of the three events. Jessica Shepley