OkillSportsSPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 432) Fax 905-337-5571 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2011 23Venom bantams stun higher seeds to win provincialsBy Jon KuiperijBEAVER SPORTS EDITORBefore the Oakville Venom bantam girls #2 basketball team took the floor in the Ontario Basketball Association final, head coach Stephen Nero had a special message for them.I played for 30-something years and won one champion-ship in all that time. I still remember it to this day, said Nero, who played high school ball at White Oaks, collegiate hoops at Sheridan College and the University of Alberta, and five years of professional basketball in England. I said to the girls, You might never get another chance, so leave it all out on the floor.Thats exactly what the Venom did, finishing off a surpris-ing run at the provincial champion-I played forships with a 39-36 upset of the top-seeded Niagara Thunder recently in 30-somethingWindsor. The teams exchanged leads years and won throughout the contest before one champion-Oakville summoned up one last ship in all thatspurt in the final minutes to pull time... I said toahead and hold on for the victory.Beating Niagara wasnt the only the girls, 'Youupset the Venom pulled off at the might never get tournament. Oakville won all five of another chance, its games, several of those victories so leave it all out coming over teams that had beaten on the floor.the Venom earlier this season.In the semifinals, Oakville ham- Oakville Venom mered the York North Avengers bantam #2 girls73-49. York defeated Oakville in tri-CINDERELLA STORY:Despite being the fifth seed in its division at the recent Ontario Basketball bantam girls' provincials in coach Stephen Nerople overtime in the previous meet-Windsor, the Oakville Venom bantam #2 team won the provincial championship. Oakville defeated several higher-ranked teams at the ing between the teams.tournament, including a 39-36 upset of the top-seeded Niagara Thunder in the final.We just focused on fundamentals and tried to get the girls There were a couple girls that were absolutely outstand-played great.to understand that to play the game the right way, you have ing. Ema Brazdeikis was an offensive force, pretty much Also contributing to the provincial title win were Hannah to play aggressive. You have to play with speed and pace, and unstoppable. Ana Levreault, our main post girl, pretty much Gallant-Nero, Chloe Dickison, Sofia Croce, Jordan Tracey, you have to play really tough defence, Nero said of the carried the team most of the year. The last minute and a half Maggie Curran, Laura Jareckas and Jenna Matsuba. Aidan Venoms improvement throughout the year. That was the (of the final) was hers, he said. And there were several girls Tracey and John Croce are the teams assistant coaches.recipe. The rest of it took care of itself.Wthat setpped up. Mikaela Duric stepped up as a first-year The Venom has been invited to compete at the eastern hile quick to stress that the championship was a true player, Elln Ougrinov played great, and our little point guard Canadian championships this summer in St. Johns, team effort, Nero highlighted the contributions of several Nikki (Ylagan) was under pressure the whole tournament and Newfoundland.players.OVER 3.50%5 YEARSGREAT RATES FOUND HERE. WHY LOOK THE I WANT HER TO GO TO UNIVERSITY GIC.ELSEWHERE TO REACH YOUR DREAMS.OVER Here are just some of the great rates available. And getting them shouldn't mean 2.75%3 YEARSimpersonal service. By coming to FirstOntario, you not only have some of the best THE MY DAUGHTER WANTS TO BE A POP STAR GIC.savings rates but also genuine people who understand your needs. To book your Service Chat, call 1 800 616 8878 or visit ThinkFirstNow.com.OVER 2.10%1 YEARAnd ask about our NO FEE* Chequing with unlimited transactions.THE REP GIRLS HOCKEY EQUIPMENT GIC.WHERE YOU PUT YOUR MONEY DOES MATTER. Rates as at April 25, 2011 and subject to changewithout notice. *Some conditions apply.