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Jon Kuiperij Sports Editor sports@oakvillebeaver.com Sports W E S T ' S T O P F R E S H M A N 23 | Thursday, March 7, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com "Connected to your Community" O U A Jon Kuiperij Sports Editor Oakville Beaver Blades' twin tandems spelling double trouble for North York N Rohan Boney of the McMaster Marauders (with ball) was named the Ontario University Athletics West rookie of the year in men's basketball. | photo by Rick Zazulak -- courtesy McMaster University Loyola grad top rookie in OUA West basketball by Herb Garbutt Oakville Beaver Staff The plan was for Rohan Boney to acclimatize himself to the university game by coming off the bench. Little in the McMaster Marauders basketball season went according to plan, though. Boney was a highly-touted recruit who received interest on both sides of the border, but even those who knew him best couldn't have expected the contributions he would make. With guard Aaron Redpath out of the lineup for the season opener, Boney was moved into the starting role and shifted into the backcourt. When starting point guard Adam Presutti joined the injured ranks for McMaster's second game against Laurentian, Boney took over his position and played a team-high 40 minutes, leading the Marauders with 19 points and seven assists. Not bad for a guy who spent his entire high school career playing the wing. While winning back-to-back provincial silver medals at Loyola there was little opportunity, or need, for Boney to play as a guard with the likes of Mike L 'Africain and Presutti -- last year's OUA East and West rookies of the year, respectively -- and Jake Babic, a member of Canada's under-17 team, in the backcourt. "It's tough enough to adapt to that level of play," said Presutti. "To do it playing a completely different position, he amazed a lot of people. With all the injuries, he carried us on his back early on. He showed a lot of people what he was capable of doing." Boney started McMaster's first five games before the Marauders coaching staff returned to his original development plan. Though he started just one more game, Boney proved himself in his trial by fire. He finished the season third on the team in minutes played, averaging 25.4 per game. He would finish the season averaging 10.5 points and 4.9 rebounds per game while finishing in the top five in the OUA by shooting 56.5 per cent from the floor. He also ranked among the top 20 in the league in assists (2.8) and steals (1.6) per game. His contribution to the Marauders did not go unnoticed, as Boney succeeded Presutti as the OUA West rookie of the year. Though the award was one of the individual goals he had set for himself, even the 2012 Silver Fox MVP didn't see his season unfolding as it did. "It was a big surprise. We got a couple of injuries in the first week but that really helped my development," said the 6-foot-4 freshman, who was also named to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport all-rookie team. "I feel like it made me a lot better and it gave me confidence." Presutti, who was also the Canadian university rookie of the year last year. tried to help his teammate prepare for his rookie season, giving him tips on everything from managing school and basketball to preparing for the increased pace. Once the games started, even Presutti was surprised by the player he saw on the court. "I saw sides to him that I hadn't seen before. He took on so many different roles, and really well," he said. "He was the same energetic, electric player, but defensively he was a lot more focused." "It's a lot more physical than it was in high school," said Boney, who was often called upon to guard the opposition's top player. "You have to play a lot harder in defensive situations." Boney said he feels there is still room to improve his strength and his ball handling in order to secure a starting role next season. McMaster, which loses only minutes leader Scott Laws, can also certainly improve after an injury-riddled 13-8 season. If Boney can build on his rookie campaign, he could play a key role in helping the team achieve its objective. "Our main goal is to win the national championship," he said. "Having our season cut short, we want it even more." athan Renouf crossed the North York Rangers' blue line, slipped the puck to his teammate and skated hard to the net. The puck was returned to Renouf at exactly the right moment and exactly the right spot on the ice, allowing the Oakville Blades forward to deflect it past Rangers goaltender Jason Pucciarelli for the overtime winner. The precision of the play made it seem as if Renouf and his teammate knew exactly what the other was thinking. Maybe they did. That teammate was Jonah Renouf, the Ontario Junior Hockey League's second-leading scorer this season -- and Nathan Renouf's identical twin. Telepathy? Extrasensory perception? The Renoufs have heard those twin theories before. They're just not sure whether to buy it. "We've been playing with each other for so long, it's just easier to play with someone when you know their tendencies," Nathan said following Tuesday's 4-3 victory at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex, which tied the OJHL first-round playoff series at two games apiece. "You know what they'll do on the ice, and where they'll feed the puck. It's just chemistry, I guess." But, Nathan said, there were no internal brainwaves transmitted back and forth on the play. He still had to call for the puck. Linemate Patrick Chore doesn't quite seem certain what to think of the Renoufs' connection, either. "I don't know. They're so good together," said Chore, who had the Blades' first goal Tuesday. "They always pass to each other and are supporting each other (positionally). They're pretty gifted that way." Chore can offer an educated opinion on the twin dynamic, being an identical twin himself. Eric Chore also plays forward for the Blades, although on a different line and in a more defensive role. "We don't do that same kind of stuff (as the Renoufs)," Patrick admitted. Neither do the Berg brothers, Zach and Eli, who play forward and defence, respectively, for the Blades. Then again, they are not twins. They are fraternal triplets, along with sister Camille. "They definitely have a chemistry when they go out on see Blades on p.24