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Sunday, July 16, 2000 Oakville Beaver Weekend 13 Sports An O akville B eaver F eature Editor: NORM NELSON Phone:845-3824, e xt 255 Fax:337-5567 E-mail:nnelson@ haltonsearch.com SI. Thom as Aquinas coaches peer into th e fu tre a t sum m er basketball cam p By Scott MacArthur SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER J ust because it's basketball's off-season doesn't mean there's a break in the schedule for the girls' coaching staff at St. Thomas Aquinas. Vic Juzenas, the man behind Halton's top-rated high school girls' basketball team, is complet ing the two-week run of his annu al camp for boys and girls who range in age from 7 to 14. The camp, which Juzenas began 10 years ago, when he taught in Port Credit, has served specifically to improve the skills of young Aquinas players and those of their feeder schools, who will one day wear a Raider jersey. It's popularity has grown and as a result, kids from around town have gotten involved. "We're geared mainly to our feeder schools because there are some terrific young basketball players out there who want to develop their skills," he said. "Many have a love for the game and once they come to the camp, they improve quickly." Juzenas has his highest number of campers to date, with 60. It's a number he's content with, feeling that any more would be difficult to handle. Many campers return each summer because they enjoy the mixture of skill development and enjoyable games/competitions held throughout the two weeks. Juzenas has a number of for mer players helping him out, as well as fellow Aquinas teacher Mike Johnston, who was an assis tant coach under him for last year's senior girls' team. This year, how ever, both men felt that it was time to spread their knowledge, so Johnston will take control of the senior team while Juzenas Photo by Barrie Erskine becomes head coach of the Fraser Damof takes a shot against Ryan Foley while Chris juniors. Knapp watches in the background at the S t Thomas Aquinas Johnston, who will begin his basketball camp. second year of teaching at Aquinas this fall, played for Notre Dame High School in Burlington before competing for five years at McGill University in Montreal. He is confident he will bring a similar style to the senior team, having familiarized himself with Juzenas' system last year. 'Tm not concerned about that at all," he said. 'Tm quite comfort able with the style we play and the change will be subtle." Aquinas will lose three of its starting five from last year, as Maya Gorham, Laura Chuba, and Olena Bien have graduated. But Alana Juzenas (daughter of Vic) and Kim Salem, two of last year's stars, will be returning. Nelson and Assumption, Aquinas' competition in Halton last year, have all of their players returning, which will make them difficult opponents. "The road will be tougher this year because of the experience of some other teams," said Johnston. "But I think our girls will rise to the occasion and at this point we're still the team to beat in Halton." Aquinas, which spent much of last year with the number two ranking in the Toronto Star's provincial girls' basketball poll, lost in the Golden Horseshoe Athletic Council (G-HAC) final to the number one ranked St. Mary's. The loss meant they failed to reach OFSAA. However, G-HAC is playing host to this year's OFSAA showdowns, which means that two representatives from the Halton/Hamilton area will make the provincial championships. To get there, Aquinas must win Halton. "We're benefitted by that this year, because last year we were perhaps the second best team in the province and we didn't even get to OFSAA," said Johnston. "So if we can get out of Halton this year, we'll be there." Shepleysecond at Ontario Ladies'G olf Cham pionship For the second straight week, Oakville's Jessica Shepley was the run ner-up at a major Ontario woman's amateur golf tournament. But the Iroquois Ridge High School student wasn't complaining about fin ishing second at the Year 2000 Ontario Amateur Ladies' Championship at the Highland Country Club in London Shepley shot an amazing 30 on the back nine on the final day of play to finish just four strokes behind toumapient winner Laura Henderson and two strokes ahead of third place finisher Terrill Samuel. Shepley, who plays out of Trafalgar Golf and Country Club, recorded a three-day total of 218 (72-75-71). Her finish was all the more amazing considering her rough start on the final day of play, Thursday. She started off with a bogey on 2 and a triple bogey on 5 for a 40 on the front. Then she turned on the magic, birdied 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, & 17 and lipped out a putt on 18, for a 30 on the back nine. Her 3-day total of 218 (72-75-71) included two under par rounds and was a personal best for tournament play. "Nervous? Not really," said Shepley, "I just wanted to play well and hold on and I did that. I wasn't hit ting the ball very square on the front and my putting really hurt me, but I settled into a birdie streak I'll remem ber for a long time." Shepley was Runner-Up at the Ontario Junior last week and now 2nd at the Ontario Amateur Ladies' Championship. The Ontario Amateur Championship was held at Highland CC in London. The competitors were blessed with great weather for 3 days as they challenged the 5,865-yard, par 73 course set for the tournament. Final Results available at the OLGA Web Site: www.olga.on.ca W ell be seeing a lot of each other." ·92000 McDonald's Restuarants ot Canada Limited. At participating McDonald's Restaurants For the exclusive use ot McDonald's Restaurants of Canada and its franchises.