Another fine season for Lady Gens

The Lady Gens senior girls basketball team got off to a very strong start to their season. Despite having a very young team the Gens captured gold at their first two tournaments. They defeated Notre Dame in the finals of the University of Windsor Invitational, and defeated Catholic Central in the Essex Red Raider Tournament. It was in this Essex tournament when adversity fell upon the team.

In a matter of hours players Talya Tovar and Candice Clouthier both had to leave the game due to knee problems. These were later diagnosed as torn ACL ligaments and damage to other ligaments in the knee. This meant that both girls would have to finish the season on the sidelines before receiving knee surgery. This was horrible misfortune for the team and the two girls. Although Talya and Candice could not contribute on the court they stayed very dedicated. The girls brought great positive attitudes and undying enthusiasm to the bench. They were equal contributers to the success of the team, and their efforts were greatly appreciated.

Next, the team travelled to London to play in the University of Western tournament. Again, the Gens were successful and defeated a very talented Governer Simcoe, to take the gold. This big win gave the girls the confidence they needed heading into the St.Clair College tournament. After breezing by the competition the girls found themselves in the championship match-up against rivals St.Christopher. The Lady Gens pulled off an exciting overtime victory to capture their fourth consecutive tournament championship. This was an amazing accomplishment and the girls were very excited.

The Hamilton Super 12 tournament was next for the Amherst girls. This tournament featured twelve of the top AAA and AAAA teams in the province. Amherst (the only AA school there), being the defending champs were looking for a repeat. Unfortunately they fell to a very strong Westdale teams in the semi finals. It was a hard loss for the girls, but they had an oppurtunity for revenge when they were matched up against Westdale in the upcoming tournament at Humber College, in Toronto. And revenge was certainly reached as the girls sent home the talented Westdale team in semi final action. They went on to endure a tough loss to Waterloo, when a three point shot at the buzzer was disallowed.

The girls settled for silver but had their eyes on a gold medal to finalize their tournament play. In order to do this Amherst would have to defeat Jean Paul (the home team), in the finals of the Pete Howard Basketball Classic. The girls delivered and capped of their tournament play with a record of five golds, one silver and a final four finish, proving to be one of the best teams in Ontario for senior girls basketball.

Meanwhile, as these tournaments were taking place Amherst was competing in their Tier One regular season games. Even though the girls were competing against the best teams in Windsor and Essex County they proved their dominance as they went undefeated (the closest games being seventeen points). The soared past the L’Essor eagles and defeated Wallaceburg district in front of an enthusiastic home crowd to win both WECSSAA and SWOSSAA titles! This meant the girls would travel to Thunderbay for a chance at a fifth consecutive OFSSAA title (“the drive for five”).

After a seventeen hour drive the girls arrived in Thunderbay, and in the blink of an eye they were in the finals, competing for gold. Unfortunately though, the girls lost the  championship

game to Bishop Macdonnel 63-52 after a hard fought game. Although the season ended with a dissapointing loss the senior girls had a tremendous season filled with accomplishments. Next year hopes to be just as successful, for at this point only two members of the team will be moving on to University.

Congratulations to all team members and coaching staff on an outstanding season!

Players; Christina Allen, Jessica Bondy, Kuyan Elliot, Merideth Sanger, Michelle Harber, Sam Kellam, Amy Belcher, Korissa Williams, Talya Tovar, Candice Clouthier,  Helaina Huneault and Courtney VandeBovenkamp.

Coaches: Dom Silvaggio, Don Parks and Greg Scott.

Special thanks to Kaylee Williams, Kristy Lauriault, Jessica Mallender, Rebecca Mallender, Christine Belcher and Ashley Parent for the contributions you’ve made to the team.

Whats next for the Lady Gens? They are heading to Florida for a team vacation. The girls, coaches, and their families leave boxing day for a weak of fun in the sun! As a player myself, and on behalf of the team, I would like to thank all students, staff and members of the community that supported us in the bleachers or in fundraising this season. We look forward to next year! Go Lady Gens!

-Courtney VandeBovenkamp

100 Years of Greatness

Is Lord Stanley’s cup coming back for a 25th time?

At 21, The most historic organization in professional sports has been placed on his shoulders.

 

100 Years of tradition, victory, and pride. The “Flying Frenchmen” have been making hockey fans across the world cheer for one century. The oldest franchise in hockey, and arguably the greatest franchise in all of sports. 24 Stanley Cups, 22 division championships, 8 conference championships, and countless HOF. Unlike most NHL clubs, the Canadiens do not rely on Free Agency to solve roster issues, they simply call up from their talented pool of hungry rookies in the minor leagues.

This season, the Canadiens are sending their youngest roster in their teams history on the ice to compete for their 25th  Stanley Cup. With an average age of 26 years old, the Canadiens are fast, talented, and as gritty as they’ve ever been. Led by Andrei and Sergei Kostitsyn, two brothers from Belarus, Christopher Higgins, Ryan O’byrne, Maxim Lapierre, Guillame Latendresse, and Josh Gorges the team speed is phenomenal. The youth of this team led by veteran leadership of Saku Koivu, the talented Alexi Kovalev and Andrei Markov quarterbacking the power-play, and offensive additions of Alex Tanguay, and Robert Lang the 2008-2009 Canadiens are destined to do great things. The largest piece of the puzzle is Carey Price. At 21 years of age, he is the catalyst that will make or break the Canadiens season. Arguably one of the most talented goalies in the NHL already, already drawing comparisons to Patrick Roy, he too has a bright future. He’s big and fast, and ice runs through his veins. He stares down opponents and doesn’t give an inch. Surely there is no kink in the Canadiens armor. It would only be fair to say that the Canadiens bring back their 25th Stanley Cup in a Century.                                                                                 —Gord

Lady Gens Defend Title

 

After becoming WECSSAA’s top tier champs, Amherst’s Senior Lady Gens are looking to defend their sixth straight WECSSAA championship. The Gens have a season record of 10-0 and are looking to keep it undefeated as they advance into the WECSSAA playoffs beginning this week.

This hoopsquad is prepared to do everything they have to do to go all the way.

Come out and cheer on your Senior and Junior girls basketball teams as they defend their WECSSAA titles this week at home.

A New Era?

Firing of Millen isn’t the only thing the Lions need……

Sophomore Calvin Johnson is one of the few cornerstones of the franchise.

                 The Detroit Lions are one of the oldest franchises in NFL history. They were the home to many conference finals, and have been the organization represented by many hall of fame players. Unfortunately the first thing that comes to mind when you here Lions is defeat. This is because the Lions have the worst record in the last 8 seasons with over 80 losses.                                                                                

Their lack of success under Matt Millen their former president and CEO of football operations had been quoted as disgusting, and unacceptable. For five years Lion’s faithful have wanted Millen gone, and now he is. The real question is, was that all the Lions needed? The answer is no.To win in the National Football league you need balance, offensively and defensively. The Lions simply have neither. Their offense is one dimensional despite the addition of former pro bowl running back Rudi Johnson. Their offensive line is mediocre at best, and have a pedestrian talent under center. The only bright spot of the Lion’s team is their gold mine of wide receivers, but even they have problems.                                                                                                                                  All pro wide out Roy Williams was traded to the Dallas Cowboys for three draft choices after long grumblings of wanting a trade. Can you blame him? Three years with the same quarterback and they still weren’t on the same page. Believe it or not, their offense is the bright spot. Their defense is the worst in the league against the pass and the run and allow the most points per game. Honestly I would be surprised if they could stop a high school offense.

     Of course, personnel is decided by coaching. Which leads us to higher in management. Are they  well coached? The answer to that is no also. Rod Miranelli has been with the team three years, and claims his team still isn’t playing his system. Than bring in players who can! Or quit because quite frankly Detroit fans have suffered enough.He has also been quoted saying the stupidest things, making me and I am positive others, question his intelligence. Statements such as “ I am the living example of fight, I believe in what I am doing 100 percent”. Well thats great Rod. Do you want a hero biscuit? If you knew what you were doing than you wouldn’t be fighting anything but to maintain a perfect record. You and all of Lions management are pathetic.                                                                                                                                                      

As a football fan in general, the Lions lack of desire to win games is upsetting, and takes a lot away from a competitive, exciting, and physical nature of the game. The Lions have not had a winners chance at a playoff spot since Barry Sanders, and will continue that way because he is not coming back to save them.               —-Gord

Amherst Begins Another Winning Season!

Amherst is a school of athletic quality. Despite the lack in population the student body always produces countless numbers of athletic stars. This year is no exception, with many personal achievements for individual athletes, and teams.

The senior football team moved up to the “Newman” conference to compete with the AAA/AAAA schools despite the fact our team is a AA school. This shows a lot of  diversity in skills and individual talents the Bulldogs have. This year the senior football team is 2-1 and play Villanova for the homecoming game hoping to go 3-1. This is no easy task, but can be done with the team this year.

The junior and senior girls basketball team seems to win OFSSA every single year, and is fair to say they are among the elite in the country for any school population size. The girls are literally untouchable when playing in the county destroying any team in their path. Led by senior leadership, good coaching and discipline the girls are the definition of success. 

Amherst’s volleyball teams have always been “steady” as far as guys go. It’s again the girls that seem to dominate, going all the way to the finals of last year’s Ontario volleyball championships.

The three sports mentioned are just for this opening season, but is arguably the prime of our athletic achievements. Winter and summer sports await, hopefully this year they can match the success of the fall.                                                                      —–Gord