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New coach fine-tuning SDSS basketball team v This year, Hamilton has taken on the added role as head coach of the Stouffville Second- ary Spartans senior boys' basketball team. Call hirn'a court technician. Working with just two returning players, Hamilton has his charges to where they have bought into his system of play. Although the Spartans lost their first two York Region Athletic Association can- tests, they reeled off three straight victories. Those included a 49-46 road decision over the Brother Andre Cardinals, last year’s YRAA junior champions, 49-46 last week‘ BROTHER 0N RAPTORS 1V Earlier this week they downed the host Bur Oak Bears 46-42 Monday and the visiting St. Augustine Titans 80-56 Wednesday. Hamilton said the recent success can be attributed to the performances of several players. Among those are his returning vet- erans in guard-forward Adam Prokop, who scored a team-high 11 points in their win over Bur Oak, and small forward Brodie Atkinson. “The guys have pulled it together,” said Hamilton, whose brother Sherman is an anaâ€" lyst on the Raptors TV network “The big thing is that they’re getting accustomed to each other’s style of play and they’re understanding what they have to do on the court." He’s also pleased with the play of several first-year seniors including combo guard Nick McEwen and forwardâ€"centre Jeremy Brown- ridge. The Stouffville Spirit accomplished some- thing this week it hadn’t done so far during the Ontario Junior Hockey League regular season. It strung together a pair of victories. coming off a 4-3 overtime road win Mon- day against the Cobourg Cougars, the Spirit played host to the co Central Division-leading Wellington Dukes and skated off with a hardâ€" fought 4~3 victory. “I don’t know why, but I had a great feel- ing about the game. The way our young guys played Monday and getting back three of our veterans in Craig McDowell (neck), lake Del- lavalle (knee) and Brandon Walker (exams), I liked the feel of our lineup," he said. “I thought we played and we coached to win. The guys sacrificed their bodies. They played a great game against a great team." Over the last three years, Conrad Hamilton has worked at Stoufl‘ville District Secondary School and three local elementary schools as their technology support technician. The three wins bolstered the Spartans’ Bast G Division third-place record to 3â€"2. Entering Thursday’s tilt, Spirit head coach Mark Ioslin had an inclination his charges could defeat the Dukes for the first time this season and extend their winning ways. After a scoreless and penaltyâ€"free first peri- od, the Dukes scored the game’s first goal. The lead was shortlived as Walker netted the first of his two goals 32 seconds later on a steal and a wrap-around.1he Spirit held the upper hand for the first time in the game on a goal by Matthew Neal. The Dukes, however. replied with a goal of their own 76 seconds later to tie the game at 2-2 entering the third period. The Spirit battled back to regain the lead just past the midway point with unanswered goals by Walker and rookie Massimo lamac- chia 49 seconds apart. The Dukes countered with one more goal before time expired. The Spiri‘ received solid netminding again from Kori Coelho. who handled 40 of 43 shots. Spirit hopes to keep streaking BY MIKE HAYAKAWA Staff Writer Juniors caged twice “Wellington is a disciplined team and the league stats showed we had some 300 more penalty minutes than them. I told our guys that we had to match their discipline if we had any chance of winning,” said Ioslin. whose team received two penalties. “I thought we just played a smart and disciplined game." As a bonus, the presence of combo guard Tim Doxtater, a transfer from Huron Heights in Newmarket who led them in their win over St. Augustine with 29 points, has been a blessing. “It would be a challenge if we're in tier one. But it's not a negative. For the guys to play better they need to play against good teams and to utilize what they do in practice to make them better players we would welcome it," he said. The Spartans were to resume league play yesterday against St. Augustine (Markham). The Spartan junior boys’ basketball team continues to search for their first win of the season after they dropped a pair of games thisweek _ The Spartans began the week with a 64-32 road loss to the Bur Oak Bears Monday and then fell 70-49 to the visiting St. Augustine Titans Wednesday. The losses dropped the Spartans' record to 0-4. The Spirit directed 46 shots on the Dukes’ goal. “The guys are feeling what it’s like to work hard and to win games,” he said. “Ther learning to play their own game and not let the opposition’s style dictate the game.” His team might be better suited to being in the tier two circuit once the teams are sepa- rated into their appropriate competitive levels after the Christmas break. In addition to that, )oslin felt his club's abil- ity to quickly counter after the Dukes scored the game’s first goal in the second period when Walker notched his first marker, was critical. Sporting a record of two wins, one overâ€" time win, three shootout wins, three shootout losses and 26 losses, the Spirit resumes play Monday in Hamilton at 7:30 pm. then hosts the Markham Waxers Thursday at 7:30 pm. NOTES: The Spirit played Thursday without defenceman Jarred Seymour (knee), who could be back in the lineup late next week, and forward Don Maloney (ankle)...Christo- pher Chiste was called up by the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey league for their 4â€"0 win over the Brampton Battalion Thursday ...Former Stouffville Clippers minor hockey star Sean McQuigge was one of the referees... The Spirit conducted its inaugural Christmas Teddy Bear toss Thursday with fans tossing toys to the ice after the first period. The toys were being donated to needy youngsters... Fans who attended the game also received free Spirit hockey cards courtesy of the York Regional Police. Staff Sgt. Mike Burns. a for- mer Stoui’fville minor hockey coach and man- ager. was part of the police procession. ~Mike Hayakawa “Our key guys have been stepping up," Hamilton said. While happy with the club's development, Hamilton was quick to note his charges still have a lot to learn if they hope to continue their upward climb in the standings. “We didn’t allow Wellington to outwork us and nothing distracted us,” he said. For mane on high school sports, log an to: wwyraa FAX: 905-640-8778 CANADA NOVICE: Blue 'nmbits 1v: White 'nmbits 0; Gwen not M 7 vs Red Tier TWO 0. ATOM: 11m Round: 3 (Miranda Sharp 2. Kannada King) VI. MbetCreck 1 (Alesv “In!!! Mice“): ReMax 2 (bah Cannon, Anjam Dhiman) vs. McDonaldI 2 (Emily Boston 2). PEEWEE: Entertainment One 4 (Rhyena Miller 3, Miranda Harper) vs. Mr. Electric 3 (Emma Li 2, Gabriella Francis); Unlonvflle Motors 2 (Marina Bettencoun. Keeley Shamz) vs Pace Savings 2 (Danielle Wart, lesaica Tyson). BANTAM: ATC Corral 6 (Hallie Wannop 3, Kylee Templeton 2, )essica Bum) vs Southwire 2 (Damn leffs. HOCKEY Volunteer: help new parents by providing emotional support and practical assistance during the early months of a newbom’s homecoming. This nun-coo trough! mo you I. a community service of The Eoonomist/Sun-Tnbune GOOD BEGINNINGS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED SPORTSBOARD Jessica N3); Sloufl'vflk: Fish N Chips 4 (Badly ( Jennifer Bolender, ()uida); W1] PEEWEE: Mr Electric 2 (lama Davidson. Laura da Rosa) Vt Unlonvllle Motors 0; Pace Savings 4 (Danielle Wan 2, Tanis Mel- vin. Paisley Mumâ€"1y) vs. Emenalnmem One 2 (Madison Frechette 2). BANTAM: ATC Con'al 4 (Kylee Templeton, lessica Bum. Christina Dunec 2) vs. Styles of Creation 2 (Gillian \Mlson 2); Stouffvflle Fish N Chips lies) vs. Styies of Cmdon 3 (Olivia Smith 2, “men vs. Shopper's Drug h GillianWflwn). [ha Bunl). Dec 7 NOVICE: Green Tier 'IVvo 4 vs. Red Tier Whllchurch-Slouflvflle M o . WW Hamilton, Melissa Simone 2, Michelle Men wire 1 (Lauren Jeffs). MIDGET: Stoufivflle Lions 3 (Leanne Sanders, Courtney Gibson. Kelsey McGuckin) vs. Muller Insurance 2 (Emily Hamilton. Jessica Weir) va South Stouffville Sun-Tribune I Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008 Ham R lee CA 3 (Jennifer lee don Iefleries 2, lames Carlin) vs Novice Royal Canadian Legion Mattheus Roest); Timber Creek 6 (Justin vs. Canadian Tue 0; USE Aviation 1 (Reed Pace Savings 6 (Sam Ammckovich 3, Bran Day 3, Myles Craven. Laird Douglas, Adam Ripp) va Country Style 0. Bantam Dec. 6 Pereim) vs. Micheie’s Snack Bar 0 miner) vs. Shoppers Drug Man 1 (Saman I'odd P001512 (Matt Mathers, Michael ljscio) mhayakawa @yrmg.com 1-800-574-6059 ext. 5117 FOR INFORMATION CALL: (Cole (3(X)per Minor Rachel