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Clarke Midgets Still Looking for First Victory The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, Wednesday, December 16,1992 1 by Brad Kelly The Clarke High School midget boys' bâsketball team is a fine example example of what happens to players, when they don't get the amount of practice time they need. In five starts this year, including league and tournament games, they have yet to record their first victory Their latest setback came on their home court Monday afternoon, as Cobourg West controlled the game from the outset, posting a convincing convincing 77-49 victory. It was the team's third loss in league play after dropping their opening games to Port Hope and Cobourg East. But, despite the frustration of not being able to record their first win of the season, the attitude, of the team hasn't changed, said coach Rob Andrews. "A lot of them haven't played much basketball in the past, so they have a lot of things to learn," he explained. explained. "We've had more games than practices so far, but they show some promise." The outcome of the game was really never in doubt, as Cobourg took command from the outset. By halftime, they had built a 17-point lead at 40-23. They continued the rout in the second half, as their confidence continued continued to build with every basket. Many of their points were of the easy variety. Cobourg players used their quickness to steal the ball and convert the turnovers into easy layups. layups. By the end of the third quarter, they had doubled the score at 66-32. Ryan Booth was one of the few bright spots in the offensive end of the court for Clarke, as he had a game : high 21 points. Jamie Shctler had 10, while Nick Hand had six. "We have to learn to play as a team, which is hard without a lot of practice," said Andrews of some of the problems his team is facing. "Once we get used to passing to each other, it will come around. "So far they have shown a lot of hustle and enjoy playing the game. The main thing is that they try 100% all the time." Clarke will have the Christmas break to put their start behind them and try to regroup, as their next game will be on January 5 at home to St. Mary's. B.H.S. Girls Set Goals To Finish in First Place Of Volleyball League Jeff Scholl (#43), of Clarke High School, tries to corral a loose' 'ball during a South Kawartha midget boys' league game on Monday afternoon against Cobourg West. Clarke suffered their third straight loss in league play. The final score was 77-49. LEATHER , FASHIONS Christmas Sale until December 24th Quality Leather Apparel and Accessories for Ladies and Men Mon. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sun. 12 - 5 n.m. /*► /factory C y OUTLET / • HUGE SELECTION • LOW! LOW! PRICES • Shop and Compare 112 FRANCIS STREET W., FENELON FALLS (70S) 887-1700 1 by Brad Kelly An air of uncertainty surrounds the girls' volleyball program at Bowmanville High School as they embark on another season of LOS- SA 'AAA' action. That, however, is expected to be the case as all three teams, midgets, juniors and seniors, were in action for the first time last Thursday on their home court. The LOSSA league is a series of mini-tournaments, with the host school and two others playing each other in a best-of-three match. Last Thursday, Pickering and Henry St., of Whitby, provided the opposition. / The midgets, under coach Karen Grave, opened on a winning note with an exciting 2-1 win'over Pickering Pickering in their opening game. The fact they won their opening contest was a pleasant' surprise for Grave, who doesn't -Jjcnow what to expect from her young team. "It's too early in the season to tell yet. We have one grade 10 on the team, and all die rest are grade nines, so this is all new to them," she said as her team prepared for the match with Henry St. Grave is already showing the wear and tearj of coaching this young group, requiring the aid of crutches to gef' around after suffering suffering an ankle injury during a practice. practice. j- The lone returning player is Melissa Melissa Harty, who Grave pointed out as being a leader on the court. She was named captain of the team. Also making an early impression.is Christie Qtianduok. Though it's still early, lofty goals have been set for this young group. "Getting into the semi-finals in the playoffs will be a real treat," said Grave, who predicted the stiff- est competition will be coming from Anderson and O'Neil in addition addition to Pickering and Henry St. ynl Quinn is in a little better position position with her junior crew. She has the/advantage of knowing what they're capable of, after guiding them through the midget ranks last year. I The formula has paid off early, is they swept both of their matches ri straight games, 2-0. "They are a really good team," she said after the win over Henry St. "They are capable of coming back as long as they don't play it safe. When they begin to volley it just to get the ball back over the net, they tend to get beaten." Big things are expected from Tracey Michaud, who Quinn singled out as the team's strongest player and leader. She is hoping that Michaud Michaud is just one of many of a cast of players that will contribute to a successful season. Expectations are high. "I expect to do well in LOSSA and not end up less than fourth in league play. We'll just have to see what happens." Trading a baseball for a volleyball, volleyball, senior coach Doreen Ross is back at the helm of the senior team this year. For the past three years, she has been the head coach of the school's baseball team. Last year she guided her volleyball volleyball club to a playoff appearance, only to be eliminated in the opening round. She is hoping that with four returning returning players from last year's team, they can take the next step. "I'm not sure how we will do, but the potential is there to do really well. They're a cohesive unit and have a real positive attitude." The seniors are led by veterans Pam Kelly, Corrie DeWit, Danielle Big Canoe and Cheri Richards. All four will be looked upon to play a leadership role against some of the tougher teams in the league, including including Henry St. and Anderson. "I'd like to get to the championship championship round this year, and this would be a good year to do that," said Ross, as her team was eagerly await- • ing to take the court for their first game., Bowmanville will host league play again on January 7, when McLaughlin and Easldale provide the opposition. ' 3y Brad Kelly What is the Secret to Winning at Pro Line? Aside from staying away from the convenience stores that display the Sport Select sign, what is the secret to being successful at the newest sports lottery that is sweeping the province? After five weeks of wagering on various hockey and football games, the thought of using the losing tickets as wallpaper in the basement has crossed my mind. Needless to say, I have yet to cash in. There have been some close ones, however. The bet with the biggest return hinged on a game between the Miami Dolphins and Houston Oilers a few weeks back. The Dolphins were playing playing at home, and the Oilers were without quarterback Warren Moon. As they went live to the game in Miami, the Miami kicker was lining up a field goal with only a couple of seconds left on the clock in a tie game. Having to win football games by four points, a field goal would produce only a three point victory, making the ticket worthless. I threw my back out trying to steer the kick wide, hoping that overtime would result and the Dolphins would score a touchdown. The kick split the uprights. The next week, I was in the hunt again. This time, the strategy was to pick fewer games, and accept a smaller payoff. A combination of three hockey and football games was selected, and, to increase the odds, the Buffalo Bills were thrown in to beat the Indianapolis Indianapolis Colts. That evening, the sports report began with a word that appears only rarely on the introductions to the highlight package on the Bills game. But, that rare word mean my ticket was cooked. The Bills lost. They were the only team selected that did. Next week, same thing. The selections were made, but the odds on the Buffalo Bills against the New York Jets couldn't be passed up. The Vegas Vegas Line had the Bills, who were playing at home, favoured by two touchdowns. Sùrely, they couldn't lose to mediocre teams twice in a row. That word rare reared its ugly head again. Playing their most inspired game of the season, the Jets upset the Bills. For the second week in a row. It was the only game on the ticket that prevented prevented me from cashing in. This past week, what limited strategy I've been able to learn was put into effect. Study the games for the.week, and stick with the teams who are hot. Then, follow the hockey teams who are on road trips, and pick against them in their last game of the trip. Then, check teams who are playing a home-and-home series with another team. It seems the home team always wins the second game. Minnesota and Chicago were both hot, and at home last Thursday night to Edmonton and the New York Islanders, teams with terrible road records. Washington, who were on a roll, were sure to win on Friday night at home to Winnipeg. And Saturday, the Pittsburgh Penguins returned returned home against New Jersey, after playing there the night before. Remember the word rare. Well, it was used during the highlights on Friday morning. The Edmonton Oilers won a rare road game in Minnesota Minnesota on Thursday night. Stubbornly convinced that my strategy was still going to work, I stuck with Washington and Pittsburgh on another bet. Added were Vancouver at home to Quebec on Sunday, and the New York Rangers at home to Calgary on Tuesday. 1 The Nordiques were at the end of a road trip, having played Thursday and Saturday night, while the Canucks were resting at home. Calgary were in the same situation, having played Toronto on Friday, Ottawa on Saturday, and Detroit on Monday before heading into New York. The bet never made it to the Calgary and New York game. Somehow, Quebec managed to tie Vancouver on Sunday. My advice, for what it's worth, is to avoid betting big. The average wager on each ticket has been reported to be $6. My theory is to bet smaller. Three or four dollars'each time will produce a tidy return. This way, you can have some fun by placing a couple of bets each week. And, if your luck is as bad as mine, you can lose $10 a week on three bets, instead of $6 on one bet. It makes as much sense as my picks. If you have devised a system that works, by all means let the rest of us know about it. Sharing your winning combinations won't lower the odds. Until then, I'll have to do like Don Cherry says, and put my money where my mouth is. In my case, that means having to eat my losses. .o' o This year... , Christmas list. Ss6 our selection of POWER TOOLS 2nd accessories • Courteous staff • Great selection ORONO FUEL & LUMBER Station St.. Orono 983-9167 Backward skating skills 3© [O o 9o Do your players possess the fundamentals of good backward skating? While backward skating is an indispensable skill for defencemen, with the constant interchange of positions and transition game in hockey, all players must master backward skating skills. Improving backward skating will also help your players become more productive by increasing all-around efficiency. To initiate ft backward start, a player must have knees flexed, trunk erect, and assume a sitting position. From this stance, body weight is transferred over the driving leg and the player rotates the toe of one skate inward at 90 degrees to the desired direction of travel. With a dynamic, but not full, extension of hip, knee and ankle, the player pushes vigorously to front and wide, simultaneously transferring body weight from the driving leg to the gliding leg. When assuming regular backward stride, the recovery skate should be kept close to the ice in the transition from striding to gliding leg. The player must always keep head up and stick in front and on the ice. To practice backward skating skills, start by having players walk backward, march backward and cut semi-circles in the ice, holding onto the boards, then away from the boards. To further develop backward striding, have players pull a partner around the ice with ropes or sticks. This overload principle develops power and forces hip rotation. For more information on improving your coaching skills, contact the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association, 1600 James Naismith Dr., Gloucester, Ontario, K1B 5N4, 613-748-5613; 3M Canada Inc. or the Coaching Association of Canada.