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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday March 7, 2008 - 29 Supporting cast key to bronze medal Johansson second at worlds Continued from page 28 games to reach the semifinal round. In the opening match, they survived a 23-point effort by Bishop Morroco's Alan Walters to pull out a 48-47 victory (Williams had 24 for Aquinas). The Raiders then pounded West Ferris 7134, with Alexander scoring 18, to reach the quarter-finals, where they downed Timmins 45-39. Williams led Aquinas scorers with 15. Despite the fact that Williams was Aquinas' top scorer in three of the five games, Maga said a key for the Raiders was how the supporting cast stepped up in support of their star point guard and center Ryan Thomson, who drew the focus of opposing defences. "Everyone knows (Williams and Thomson) are our leaders, and for them to still have the skill and strength to lead our team is tremendous," Maga said. "It was nice to see the bench guys... Matt Blaha hit key foul shots, Jon Silver was his usual self giving great lead- ership, rebounding and doing the little things. Everyone who got in did a good job, and the bench kept us in the games." And the future could be even brighter for the Raiders. Silver and Adrien Staples are the only two players who definitely won't return next season. "We could possibly get 10 guys back from this team," said Maga. "It sets up nicely experience-wise. We know OFSAA is not an ordinary tournament, it is five hard-fought battles to win. Getting to the bronze game gives our guys a real perspective." This year's Raiders boys' squad joins the 2000 and 2003 girls' teams (both silver) as the only OFSAA basketball medalists in school history. Other members of Aquinas' boys' club are Eric Fram, Kyle Enright, Deshawn Ricketts, Tashawn Ricketts, Charlie Drouin and Ryley Wright. Mike Giammichele and Rob Nacevicius assist Maga. Oakville Yacht Squadron product Oskar Johansson and crewman Kevin Stittle of Orangeville established themselves as Olympic medal contenders in sailing by winning a silver medal in the tornado class at the world championships recently in New Zealand. Johansson and Stittle finished just five points behind the gold medal-winning Australian crew. Johansson and Stittle won two of the eight races that made up the championship and were in the top four in three others. Each crew was allowed to drop its worst result, but a 19th-place finish in the sixth race hurt the Canadian duo's chances to claim the gold. Johansson finished 15th at the 2004 Olympics when he teamed up with John Curtis of Kingston. Dodge hero as Clarkson wins ECAC Oakville's Nick Dodge scored with 8:17 to play, breaking a 3-3 tie to give the Clarkson Knights a 4-3 win over Princeton and clinch the Cleary Cup as the East Coast Athletic Conference (ECAC) regular-season champion. Clarkson finished the season with a 20-104 record to win its first Cleary Cup in 15 years. Clarkson is ranked eighth nationally and will receive a first-round bye in the ECAC playoffs. Dodge had 11 goals and 23 points in 34 games and led the team in both shorthanded goals (four) and game-winning goals (four). Dodge, a draft pick of the Carolina Hurricanes, has 51 goals and 121 points in 145 games over his four-year career with the Knights. Also on the Clarkson team are Oakville's Brandon DeFazio, a freshman left winger who had three goals and three assists in 32 games this season, and former Oakville Blades sniper Matt Beca, who led Clarkson with 32 points. Take the Rust Off or Try this Amazing Sport. Bring Your Glove, or Gloves Available Winter OGSA Skills Clinics - 5470 Harvester Road, Burlington Age groups and times available on our website GIRLS SOFTBALL FREE CLINICS CONTINUE THIS WEEKEND On-site Registration available from 9am-12pm Bring Your Glove and Play or Register NOW Online www.ogsa.mysportsite.com OGSA needs sponsors and coaches. For more information call 905-825-5848 SOFTBALL - The Fun Starts Now! HOT TUB CLEAROUT! GREAT PRICING ON REMAINING 07 MODELS! Don't Payll i A Cent `TAC 2009! O 2000 Appleby Line (Millcroft Shopping Centre) Burlington 2379 Trafalgar Road (Winners Plaza) Trafalgar Ridge Plaza, Oakville 905-315-7800 905-257-5006 w w w. t h e s u n d a n c e s p a s t o r e . c o m