Scoreboard

Celtic Slo-Pitch Team On Winning Streak

Bishop Ryan's Girls Slo-Pitch team improves record to 4-1.

By: Jenna Frank

On Tuesday, May 26, Bishop Ryan took on Brebeuf.

The entire team exhibited true teamwork and drive. Grade twelve player, Erica Brown, demonstrated homerun potential with her hitting. Brown also had great defense at 3rd base. She is one of several players that makes up BR's strong, mature infield.  

Korinn Daives went three for three with her middle line drives. Grade nine rookie, Heather MacLellan had fantastic defense at short stop.

Marleigh White (left field), Brittanie Smith (center field) and Lisa Mark (right field), BR's key outfield players, had great catches all game. Mark had the all so important game winning catch, out in right field.

With the regular season slowly coming to a close, the Celtics are at the top of the scoreboard with Cathedral. A win against STM this week, in the final game of the season, will secure the Celtics with a first place finish and a buy to the semi-finals.

To date, the team has scored 50 runs.

The final score was 12-8 for BR.

Junior Boy's Football: Highland beats Waterdown

By Jayden Ratcliff

Highland Hawks advance to the championship

On Friday, May, 30th the Highland Hawks hosted the Waterdown Warriors. This game was one of two semifianl games meaning the winner advances to the championship and the loser goes home.

To start the game, Hihglnad kicked off and returner #11 Dan Hall for Waterdown made a great return by breaking tackle after tackle until finally getting swarmed and taken down at about mid-field. Unfortunately for Waterdown after a couple of first downs they had to punt. Now, Highland with the ball, #34 Jeremy Haggarty made a great run to get Highland in position to get a single which came from Haggarty punting the ball into the endzone and Waterdown conceding the single point.

Then after Waterdown was faced to punt again, Haggarty capped of the drive with running touchdown. Haggarty also ran in the two point conversion making the score Highland 9 Waterdown 0. On the assueing drive Waterdown came back with a touchdown of their own. Quarterback #26 James Parry made a beautiful pass in the endzone to #8 McLeod who caught it for the 6 points.Waterdown added the extra point by succesfully kicking it through the uprights. This made the score 9-7 for the home team and that would be the score after the first.

In the second quarter, Highland continued to roll offensively this time the quarterback  #4 Stuart Hunter kept the ball on a boot leg and went untouched for the score. The 2 point convert was no good making the score 15-7 for Highland. Then just before the end of the half Highland scored again this time of a trick play where it ended up in the hands of slotback #33 Deion Ratcliff who went untouched for the 3rd touchdown of the game for Highland. This made the score at the half, Highland 21 Waterdown 7.

To start the second half Waterdown kicked off. The story of this quarter was "Defence"! Both defences stepped up their games and as result it was a scoreless third quarter.

In the fourth however, about 30 seconds in #4 Stuart Hunter got his 2nd touchdown of the game off a similar play to the first one he scored. Then Highland's defence just shutdown the Warriors offence by making great tackles and making turnovers including #10 Jim Holmes' interception. Highland also got another touchdown by fullback #55 Quinn Newman. Making the final score 33-7 for Highland.

Highland will now go on to play the winner of the other semifinal game between Westdale and Macnab for the championship.This championship game is scheduled to be played on Friday, June 5th at Ivor Wynne Stadium.  

   

Patriots Head to OFSAA

Senior Boy's Rugby Defeats Stamford 19-0
By Bonnie Chen

Last Wednesday, the Orchard Park senior boy's rugby team traveled to Niagara Falls to compete in their SOSSA game. The boy's played hard every minute to prove which school deserved to qualify for OFSAA. Matt Pettie gave the Patriots an early lead to the game, as Tyler Warden and Cody Wright added to the scoreboard as well. The final score of the game was 19-0, allowing the boy's to advance to next weeks games. Congratulations goes out to the entire team, as they are now the first Orchard Park boy's rugby team to compete in OFSAA.

 

Patriots Finish Second in Rugby City Finals

By Bonnie Chen

Orchard Park's senior boy's rugby team finished off their regular season this week with two competitive matches. After the win against Westdale, the Patriots anticipated the city championships, knowing they would be battling against an experienced Saltfleet team. During the game, Saltfleet took an early lead and managed to outrun the Orchard Park boy's, however, Matt Pettie managed to keep the game close. The newcomer scored two try's despite the difficult conditions, and the Patriots continued to fight for the city title. Zack Gray, Mat Kit, and Colin Cyr contributed immensely to the Patriots success, even though they weren't able to capture first place. The boy's have contiuned to demonstrate improvements and are commended for their consistent efforts and incentives to win. Though the regular season may be over, the Patriots will continue to compete at SOSSA, in the hopes of participating in the OFSAA games.

 

Orchard Park Boy's Rugby Advances to Finals

By Bonnie Chen

On May 19th, Orchard Park's senior boy's rugby team played their semi-final match at home. The Westdale Warriors couldn't hold the Patriots up in their end-zone, as Tyler Warden and Matt Pettie added the first two try's of the game. However, with the slow pace before half, Westdale was able to make a run against the Patriots. The boy's continued their hard plays to guarantee their spot in the city finals as Matt Pettie added again to the scoreboard, alongside Cody Wright. Pettie's conversions gave Orchard Park the extra points they needed, ending the score at 26-7. The boy's will now play their final game of the regular season at Saltfleet on Friday May 22nd during the city finals. 

 

Patriots in Provincial Red Hot Tournament

Orchard Park's Rugby Boy's Take Home Silver Medals
By Bonnie Chen

On Friday May 8th, the senior boy's rugby team entered the Provincial Red Hot tournament in the McMaster division. The 9:00am kick-off against Streetsville gave the Patriots a solid start to the day as they finished the game with a 14-0 win. Try's were scored by Mike McNally and Juston MacKay as Matt Pettie completed both conversions. The boy's then anticipated their second game of the day against Etobicoke CI. The Patriots continued to excel both offensively and defensively, making it difficult for their opponents to surpass. Orchard Park came out strong with three try's from Kody Taylor, and a try each from Jacob Kit, Mike McNally, Billy Juett and Mat Kit. Matt Pettie continued his precise conversions by adding five kicks to the scoreboard. The boy's dominated the Etobicoke team 45-0 and ended their day with a game against Huron Heights. They continued their hard plays and managed to defeat Huron Heights 19-0 with try's by Krste Asanovic, Mike McNally and Cody Wright. With three straight wins, the boy's guaranteed their advancement to the semi-finals of the Red Hot tournament.

 

On Sunday May 10th, the boy's travelled to St. Joan of Arc CHS in Vaughn to compete in the semi-finals. The early 8:30am kick-off against Stamford was not a problem for the boy's as they won 19-5. Try's were scored by Derek Bergstrand and Matt Pettie with 2. Newcomer Matt Pettie also received the MVP award for the game. The win against Stamford allowed the Patriots to play in the champoinship gmatch against Lorne Park. The Lorne Park team proved to be a tough match for the boy's as their opponents took an early lead in the game. However, Orchard Park's Mat Kit excelled with two interceptions, scoring try's both times. The boy's couldn't manage to defeat Lorne Park as the game ended at 24-12. The Patriots were able to take home silver medals from the Red Hot tournament, thus, placing them 8th in the province. They will continue their regular season against Saltfleet on Tuesday May 12th.

 

Orchard Park Rugby Dominates Waterdown 58-0

By Bonnie Chen

The senior boy's rugby team faced off on Tuesday for their first home game of the season. With tremendous teamwork, the boy's were able to control the game at their own pace during both halves. The boy's faught hard throughout the game and was able to capitalize on the Warrior's mistakes. Cody Wright added two try's to the scoreboard as Krste Asanovic, Mat Kit, Zack Gray, Jacob Kit, Matt Pettie, Kody Taylor, Ariya Phammavongsay and Colin Cyr all contributed as well. The boy's finished the game with a 58-0 victory with conversions by Pettie and Wright. The Patriots continue to improve in their season as they will compete in the Red Hot tournament at McMaster on Thursday.

Patriots Kick-off Rugby Season with a Win

Orchard Park Defeats Westdale 34-5
By Bonnie Chen

On Tuesday April 28th, the Patriots boy's rugby team travelled to Westdale for their season opener. Orchard Park took an early lead when Cody Wright scored the first try of the game, followed by a conversion by Matt Pettie. With an early lead in the first half, the Patriots managed to maintain their quick passes and hard rucks as they added five more try's by Krste Asanovic, Kody Taylor, Minwoo Kim, Jacob Kit and Mike McNally. The boy's finished strong winning 34-5 as their next game will be May 5th at home.

Orchard Park's captain, Colin Cyr, said: "I think it was a decent start to the season and a lot of guys had fun getting back into the swing of things again. We just have to build from this game and get better."

 

Hillfield Strathallan Hockey Trojans Travel to Pittsburgh

By: Brock Camden

Early on the morning of March 27th, the Hillfield Trojans hockey team hopped on the bus and headed off to Pittsburgh for a High school hockey tournament including teams from both Canada and USA. There first game was later that night against a fellow Canadian team, the Aylmer Flames.

The black and green jerseys clashed on the ice as the game began. The five-hour bus rides were no match for the spirits of these young Canadians. It was apparent at the start of the game that the OMHA finalist Flames were well prepared. They effectively cycled the puck in the Hillfield end throughout the contest.

The Flames popped in some quick goals early in the first and second periods making it 3-0. This lead lasted until Hillfield’s #13 Jacob Reid was skating the puck over his own blue line when he lost it in his feet. After finding the puck in a midst of two Aylmer players he skated threw the rest of their team and scored. Soon after Jacob scored a second goal for Hillfield and the score was 3-2 going into the third period.

The Flames offense pressed hard on the Hillfield defense and resulted in two more goals. Both goals were cross ice passes to a man in the low slot, which left no chance for Hillfield goaltender Dan West. Aylmer won the game 5-2.

The next day Hillfield had an early game against Archbishop Ryan White of Philadelphia. Having also lost their first game, it was a must win for both teams. It was a solid, even game for the first half of the first period until Hillfield’s Taylor Hanson broke the ice and tipped in a shot from the point to make it 1-0 Hillfield.

Hillfield maintained their lead throughout the rest of the first period and well into the second when Brock Camden scored a breakaway goal assisted by Eric Jackson and Haydon Lutz. In the dying moments of the second period, Ryan White got a quick goal from the slot to make it 2-1.

Both teams were hungry for a win as things got heated between them in the third period, but luckily things didn’t get too far. Hillfield’s Hayden Lutz scored an empty net goal with a minute left from his own blue line to put the game away. Hillfield won the game 3-1.

After watching the Pittsburgh Penguins play the New York Rangers at Mellon arena that afternoon, Hillfield was back on the ice Against the Cleveland Jr. Jacks. Since the Jacks were 2-0-0, and Hillfield was 1-1-0, for Hillfield to advance they would need to win by four because of goal differential. The Jr. Jacks were 2-0-0 for a reason as Hillfield found out as they scored two goals early in the first period. Hillfield woke up soon after and played even for the rest of the first period.

The second period was back and forth until the Jacks broke in and scored a tip in goal from the point. Hillfield realized that their tournament hopes were lost and it was going to be their last game of the season so they left it all on the ice for the rest of the game. Late in the second period Hillfield’s Mike Malott received a cross-ice pass and capitalized on his opportunity to make the game 3-1.

After the final speech of the season between periods, Coach Zelinski showed his Hillfield team wasn’t going to go down without a fight. Hillfield’s Captain Lucas Currah took hold of the game and led the way for a Hillfield comeback. Midway through the third period Lucas skated the puck end to end and put the puck top shelf. Only moments later the Captain struck again with a wrap around goal to tie the game at 3-3. It looked like the game was coming to a close when a Jacks player caught a good bounce and went in one on none against the Hillfield goalie and scored with three seconds left in the game. The final score was 4-3 for Cleveland Junior Jacks.

The first year of the Hillfield Strathallan’s Hockey program was a success: they achieved what they wanted to; the stepping-stones for a team in the future.

Patriots at H.W.I.A.C Badminton Tournament

By Bonnie Chen

On Wednesday April 8th, the Patriots travelled to Sherwood Secondary to face off in the Senior East Conference for badminton. Throughout the day, hard games were played during the double elimination process. Many of the players came close to qualifying, including: Obradovic and Dhillion for Men's singles, Kim and Tran for Men's doubles and McEneny and King for mixed doubles. However, Orchard Park's, Dang, took home third place for Ladies' Singles; the Tan sisters finished second in Ladies' Doubles and mixed doubles team, Chen and Danks finished second as well. These three draws will compete in city finals next Thursday at the S.O.S.S.A qualifying rounds.