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Non-profit syndicate formed to organize youth basketball player statistics that will be sent to the ABS website. At the end of the season, the ABS will hold Many of the top youth boys' basketball a `May Madness' event that will follow a simiclubs in southern Ontario no longer have to lar format of the popular NCAA end-of-season worry about finding an opponent or a place to tournament. play. The ABS is featuring three age divisions The Oakville Venom and 13 other rep bas- and 14 participating organizations in its first ketball associations have joined the Amateur season. The Venom has entered squads in the Basketball Syndicate, a not-for-profit organi- bantam (under-13) and major bantam (U14) zation that schedules games in a league for- divisions, while the ABS also offers competimat. Before the formation of the ABS, which tion in major atom (U12). tipped off its inaugural season earlier this McKee hopes to accommodate more teams month at Sheridan College, in the near future. teams were responsible for "It's amazing how quickly "We have waiting lists in organizing their own exhi- all the organizations got every age group. It was bition and tournament together and implemented really just logistics (that games that would deterlimited the size of the ABS this. Mid-September was mine their ranking for the this year)," he said. "One end-of-season Ontario really our first discussion person questioned if we'll Basketball Association about it." (offer) girls. I'd love to championships. (offer) girls. They should "I always wondered why Amateur Basketball Syndicate have the same benefit as there wasn't an actual bas- president Dave McKee well. This is a starter year. ketball league," said Dave We foresee expansion in McKee, founder and presigirls and age groups and AAA and AA loops." dent of the ABS. On top of making things easier for team The immediate interest of clubs like managers, McKee said the ABS will also help Scarborough, Toronto, Kitchener-Waterloo, elite players get more exposure to college and Vaughan, Brampton, Hamilton and the university scouts. Three representatives from Venom indicated to McKee that basketball in Canadian schools took in the opening-day Ontario needed a league format. action Nov. 11. "It's amazing how quickly all the organi"Now (scouts) know where these kids are zations got together and implemented this. playing, and what teams to watch," McKee Mid-September was really our first discussion said. "Tournament schedules and times about it," McKee said. "This got together in change rapidly, depending on results from 40 days to (the point) where we were schedul- round robins and previous games. You're ing games." constantly guessing. This is now strucRather than requiring team managers to tured." arrange venues, officials and opponents for A call to the Ontario Basketball Association all their games, the ABS schedules weekend offices seeking comment on the ABS was not doubleheaders for teams at centralized loca- returned. tions. The primary location for ABS contests The bantam Venom dropped its first two will be Sheridan, a corporate sponsor that is games of the ABS campaign, falling 41-38 to providing subsidized rental in its gymnasi- Blessed Sacrament Simpson and 66-35 to the um. Brampton Warriors. Another sponsor has donated iPads to the Oakville's major bantams lost their first league. Coaches and managers will be able to contest 51-46 to Scarborough before downuse the iPads' HoopStats application to track ing Toronto Triple Threat 62-43. By Jon Kuiperij BEAVER SPORTS EDITOR 27 · Wednesday, November 21, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN: Oakville Venom bantam player Victor Vargatu dribbles the ball during the first day of Amateur Basketball Syndicate competition recently at Sheridan College. The syndicate was formed this season to help schedule games for youth rep basketball squads. NIKKI WESLEY / OAKVILLE BEAVER / @HALTON_PHOTOG Blades split weekend pair The Oakville Blades split their two Ontario Junior Hockey League games last weekend to remain tied for first place in the South Division standings. Oakville dropped a 3-2 decision to the Toronto Jr. Canadiens Friday at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex, then cruised to a 6-1 win over the Mississauga Chargers the following evening in Mississauga. Blades scoring leader Jonah Renouf scored two third-period goals, both assisted by Patrick Chore, in the loss to Toronto. Evan Buitenhuis made 28 saves for the Blades. Saturday, Renouf scored two more goals and added an assist. Nathan Renouf, Greg Campbell and Spencer Green contributed two helpers each, and Eli Berg, Kris Bennett, Matt Alvaro and Chore scored goals. Buitenhuis made 24 stops to record the victory in net. Oakville (15-6-3) will only play one game this weekend, a home contest Friday against the Georgetown Raiders. That game will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Sixteen Mile. NO NHL... NO PROBLEM! CANADIAN TIRE JUMPSTART NIGHT OAKVILLE BLADES VS. GEORGETOWN RAIDERS PUCK DROP 7:30 PM AT SIXTEEN MILE SPORTS COMPLEX FRIDAY NIGHT CANADIAN TIRE PUCK TOSS WITH A CHANCE TO WIN $100 GIFT CARD ALL PROCEEDS FROM PUCK TOSS TO BE DONATED TO CANADIAN TIRE JUMPSTART PROGRAM ANY MOHA/HORNET PLAYERS FREE, ALL MOHA/HORNETS COACHING STAFFS FREE, OAKVILLE BLADES ALUMNI FREE ADULTS $5, STUDENTS/SENIORS $2, KIDS FREE