Junior B Athletics ready for round two
The St. Catharines WMKL Athletics have put almost two weeks off to good use.
The A’s host the Hamilton Bengals Friday at Canada Games Park in Game 1 of the Ontario Lacrosse Association junior B western conference semifinals following an extended layoff after sweeping Wallaceburg in the first round.
“We’ve been on the floor a bunch, four or five times,” A’s head coach Alec Tamas said. “Team Canada had their tryouts so we were there watching that before we went on the floor. The boys have been together a bunch and still working out and making sure these last 12 days haven’t gone for nothing.
“We’ve been working hard and are prepared for Game 1.”
Tamas feels the coaching staff has been able to strike the proper balance between staying sharp while also resting and healing up a variety of bumps and bruises.
“Our guys have been playing a lot. A couple of them have been playing Junior A games all year long. Even though it’s only 20 games it’s a long season and when you’re playing a lot and getting banged up,” he said. “I know our guys were pretty sore going into playoffs and we were still pretty sore after those three games. These 12 days have been good to kind of catch our breath, get some rest and make sure we’re fully healthy to go into round two, which we are.”
The A’s went 18-1-1 during the regular season, their only loss a 10-6 defeat at the hands of the Bengals.
“Hamilton is a really good team, a really well-coached team,” Tamas said. “They have a lot of depth and they’re not the kind of team that’s just going to give it up and roll over. They’re going to battle us and give us a full 60-minute game. They’re going to play rough and tough and throw everything they can at us.”
The Bengals are hosting the Founders Cup this season.
“They feel they have the right to be there and can win it all this year too,” Tamas said.
Tamas said the A’s have done a good job of focusing on the task at hand and not thinking about the grand prize at the end.
“We’re looking at another potentially another 20 games total so it’s like another regular season all over again,” he said. “Can’t look too far ahead of ourselves. We’ve been preaching to our guys all year the team that wins is the team that gets better from Day 1 until the end of the season. We still have things to work on. You can still better your best.”
Game 1: Friday, July 5 at St. Catharines, 8 p.m.
Game 2: Monday, July 8 at Hamilton, 8 p.m.
Game 3: Tuesday, July 9 at St. Catharines, 8 p.m.
*Game 4: Thursday, July 11 at Hamilton, 8 p.m.
*Game 5: Friday, July 12 at St. Catharines, 8 p.m.
St. Catharines games played at Canada Games Park
Hamilton games played at Lawfield Arena.
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