April 26 Local Sports: Churchill hockey: National boxing results: Niagara signs Leanne DeKorte; Roach signs with Storm; Ridley results
BULLDOGS FINISH WITH SILVER
The Sir Winston Churchill Bulldogs junior boys hockey team concluded its season recently with a silver at the Hamilton Junior Cup against a top-seeded Waterdown team that defeated the Churchill varsity team at the Southern Ontario Secondary Schools Association play downs
The road to the final was fought with tight games against St. Mary’s, Ancaster, Grimsby and Sherwood.
“With our season of 14 victories and only two losses in tournament championship games, one of those in overtime, we are happy with the outcome.” Churchill head coach Jeff Flood said.
The team won the Lakeshore Catholic junior tournament in Port Colborne and won silver at the St Francis junior tournament in St. Catharines.
Members of the team were Mitchell Armstrong, Ben Aylward, Ben Brendzy, Nathan Brockington, Jacob Cielen-Gough, Bryson Essery, Owen Faris, Evan Hardy, Tyler Hobbs, Nathan Little, Dawson Lukey, Holden Matejcic, Tye Meloche, Isaac Prantera, Lucas Price, Evan Rewbury, Dylan Rush, Riley Ruzic, Colin Walters, Adam Weber, Keaton Zavitz and Hunter Zoccoli.
Helping Flood behind the bench were assistant coaches Jim Thibodeau and Wayne Chapman.
MATT RYAN IN FINAL
St. Catharines Amateur Boxing Club member Matt Ryan has advanced to the finals at the Canadian national boxing championships in Victoria, B.C.
Matt recorded a 3-0 victory over Ontario’s Patrick Martin in the semifinals of the 60-kilogram Junior C division.
St. Catharines boxer Gerard Ryan lost 5-0 to Samuel Lajoie of Quebec in the Elite Open 64-kilogram division and Stephen Ryan was defeated 5-0 by Ontario’s Spencer Wilcox in the Elite Open 60-kilogram division.
KNIGHTS ADD DEKORTE
Niagara College’s women’s basketball coach Mike Beccaria recently announced the signing of Heritage Christian player Leanne DeKorte.
DeKorte played in both the Niagara College all-star game and the Niagara Region Girls All-Star Games.
“Leanne is an excellent student from Heritage Christian High School who will play a forward position for us,” Beccaria said. “She’s very athletic and will fit in well with the pace of play of the OCAA (Ontario Colleges Athletic Association).
Beccaria has recruited a number of Niagara players to his program this spring, including Eden’s Mackenzie Schroeder and Beth deBoer.
ROACH SIGNS WITH STORM
Jacob Roach has parlayed a strong season with the St. Catharines Falcons into a contract with the Guelph Storm,
Roach was originally drafted by the Sudbury Wolves’ in the eighth round of the 2016 OHL Priority Selection. Attending three training camps with the team, he was the final cut of the Wolves camp at the start of the 2018-19 season.
“Jacob is a player that we have had our eye on for some time and we are excited to add him to our program,” Storm coach/general manager George Burnett said. “He had a breakout year offensively with St. Catharines his past season and has a very versatile skill set. He will provide some presence and stability to our group of young forwards next season.”
The 18-year-old spent the 2018-19 season with the Falcons while attending Brock University. He posted 93 points (29 goals, 64 assists) in 47 games. During the Falcons playoff run this season, Roach recorded 43 points (13 G, 30 A) in 17 games, finishing second overall in league playoff scoring.
“It’s exciting to have officially signed with the Storm,” Roach said. “It’s been a goal of mine to play in the OHL and I believe I’ve found a second home here in Guelph. I can’t wait to continue to develop as a hockey player and person. I couldn’t have done it without my family, friends, coaches and teammates.”
Roach is scheduled to attend the Storm’s 2019 Orientation Camp in May.
RIDLEY RESULTS
The Ridley Tigers First Boys dropped a 6-2 decision at A.N. Myer in high school soccer action.
The home side capitalized on several Tiger mistakes to open a four-goal halftime lead.
Adjustments in the second half, coupled with a better team effort, saw Ridley work its way back into the game.
Eemeli (Larry) Larste and Brendan Ng scored for Ridley in the second half. The Tigers can take pride in the second half performance and overall effort.
TENNIS
The following are results for Ridley athletes in U16 boys tennis at Appleby.
Noah Sloan had an epic rematch from last year and won in a final tie break.
(Kumo) John Babe also earned the win.
Joe Canham and Johnny Gocking won the decider in a second-set tie break
Lucas Vigna narrowly lost his match in a final tie break
