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The Canadian Champion, Wednesday, JuIy 30, 2008 -A13 SPORTS EDITOR: STEVE LeBLANC e-mail slebIanc@mIltoncanadialchampIOl.com mer MJ, DANIEL HO / SPECIAL. TO THE CH. LEARNING FROM A PRO: St. Louis Blues sniper Brad Boyes, who lived in Milton until he was f ive and Iearned to skat vAkyard rink in Dorset Park, demnonstrates a puck-handling drill as local youngsters look on during the NHLer's recent visit to his f Front Lîne Hockey School at Milton Sports Centre. Offensive linemnan makes first start in C Oleara infor Blue Bombers'first '08 win Mati (YMeara's watt is finalty over. Afier four-plus years. the six-foot- tîve-loch, 285-pound Miltoman - who iums 26 next week - saTs Iis firsi siart in the CFL Thursday night ai Wýinnipeg's (anad Inns Sîadium. In the wake of his Blue Bomnbers' recent rash of injuries, O'Meara assurried night guard dutv. -t felt great to geI in there,' said thc offensive tîneman, who found out he'd hc ptavuîg ai the stant of tasi week. ti koew t was ready, but ai ttîcsame tinse t was pretiy niervous and there were some question marks going through my mind. Hey, 1 haven't played a fuit game in so, long." But the former McMaster Marauder said his anxiety eased up jusi before game time, altowing him to help the hosis secure their firsi win of the season - a 32-28 Mat O'Meara decision over the Calgary Stampeders tIsai was clmnched with sonie last- moinute heroîcs by hack-up pivot Ryan Dinwiddie in front of a crowd of 26,882. "Being in ihere for the win was great. Personalty I titnk I ptayed fair- ty wett. t did somne good ihinge and there are some things 1 n improve on. You always want better." Pnior to this season, O'Met only seen speial-teams play Saskatchewan Roughriders, wl cd huit to Winnipeg in May 2 a fifth-round draft pick. He dressed as a hack-upi regular scason games last year three Blue Bombers' ptayotf c including the Grey Cup aga former team. Shoutd hie remaîn in the ihis week, O'Meara will sel agarnst fetlow Miltroian Mike whose Argonauts play h Winnipeg Frîday at the Centre. Cager rises to occasioin Alexader clominates at Unaer-1 8 Am&rcas By Steve LeBlanc CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF K 7ayla Atexanders firsi tasie of tnternationat baskeîhal - Nwas awfutty sweei. Emcrging as a standout ai lasi week's FIBA Amentcas Under-18 Champtonships in Buenos Aires, Argentîna, the 17-year old Mîttonian hclped fuel the national jun- ior womens squad to a 4-1 showing thai ctînched second ptace in the six-teamn event - and a subsequeni herih t0 nexii -, summers Under 19 Worlds in Thailand. 1 tîhoughît 1dîd prctty wcll and asa îeam we worked welt together. We had AMIO great chemîsir and ihat transfcrred :e on a onto the Iloor," said the stx-loot-four- Kayla Alexander lather's inch centre yesterday (Tuesday) morn- ing, having jusi arrived home. It (tournament) was a big eye-opener in terms of whaî's needed to clîmpete ai the nexi level, especîally agaînsi the Americans." Alexander set the tone for a productive mun right away, Lwith nune points and a gamc-high 12 rehotinds in last F Wednesdays6747 triurnph over Bai.Fo hr h' cedt Canada to victory in îhree of its nexi four gamnes, losing only * o t 1 the powcrhouse United States 72-56 Thursday ira had "'d love to have anoîher gante against îhemn (U.S.). 1tîhink iith thse we coutd give thcm a beiter m-n." io trad- Proving she can ilsrive armâts hecîîc high-siakes play (five 007 for games in as many days), Alexander finishcd in a three-way team tic for top overaîl scorer - amassing 58 points - and for îwo was by far the most effective rehounder among ihe and ail Canadtans. She avcraged over 10 boards a gaine, including a oniesis, tournament-high 14 in whai was described as a "monsier" insi his performance during Saturdays 78-65 wîn over Puerto Rico, which ctinchcd Canadas herîh to nexi years wortds. lîncup She'd net 16 points in ihai viciory and hut douhle-digits i îare off îwo others, hightighîing hier productive week with an 18- O'Shea, point effort in Friday's 72-53 roui of the huai Argentiians. .05i to The *local cager 00W has hier sîghis set on the Canadian Rogers Undcr-17 championships in PEl1. Augusi 19 to 23, whien she'Il look îo secure hier third national title iii tour ycars. GRAND OPENUNO 50%GOFF* aComposite Sticks l * Bashail Galovos a 5h.. e Golf Drivers & Hybrlds ro seeied ieis .11 aloi R L PLf' L I Y1T Fl%,Gfilfil