Last month, The Observer reported a few SHA teams might be forced to merge with the Greater Toronto Hockey League.

After issuing a newsletter, it is official.

Next season nine Scarborough teams will find themselves trying out for the GTHL in April.

“You’re looking at about 150 kids [affected],” said Ed Wahl, who takes over as SHA president next season.

Wahl said that the change was bound to happen.

“We’ve been draining the system for the last 10 years,” Wahl said. We have virtually no hockey players left.”

Since the 1970s, enrolment has dropped from over 10,000 to under 1,000. Much of the problem has to do with the changing demographic in Scarborough. According to a 2006 survey, 57 per cent of Scarborough residents were foreign born. Wahl said first- and second-generation immigrants are more engaged with sports from their ancestry than with Canadian hockey.

“Everyone keeps saying that new Canadians will play,” Wahl said. “They will once they grow up and have their own kids, and they’ve grown up with the game.”

In addition to sending teams from the community-based SHA to the much broader Greater Toronto system, the SHA has created a minor development (MD) league to continue facilitating competitive hockey. The MD league is intended to house players who are looking for competition, but are not yet ready financially, or skill-wise, to play in the GTHL’s “A” Division.

“It’s basically a bridge from house league to competitive,” Wahl said. “They will get their two games a week, they will have their contact hockey. The only thing they do lose is tryouts.”

Instead of tryouts, the MD league will host preseason skates in September. Wahl said that assigning individuals to teams, similar to house league, will ensure that the league is competitive. In recent years, each division has had a team that struggled to win a single game during the regular season.

“You want kids coming to the game not knowing if they are going to win or lose,” Wahl said.

Players are not the only ones being shifted around. Coaches too will be forced to adapt to the changing structure.

“Our hopes are that all the coaches that are being displaced, the majority of them will step up and want to help in the MD program,” Wahl said.

“I may be old fashioned, but my thoughts are that it shouldn’t really matter who you’re coaching, it should be to help kids in general,” he added.

Wahl said that despite closing down its most competitive league, the SHA would not be folding entirely.

“We’re hoping we can make this grow into something that the SHA used to be, and that was a viable option [compared with] the ‘A’ Division in the GTHL,” Wahl said. “We’re not closing our doors, we’re trying to reinvent ourselves under the circumstances.”

Costs to play in the SHA are roughly $900, as compared to Scarborough teams moving to the GTHL, where costs will be about $1,200.

The SHA was created in 1956.

“You wouldn’t believe how many youths are playing here until midnight,” said Morris Joseph, manager of the Canadian Cricket Academy.

Joseph opened the academy doors last year and has drawn youths and teenagers who have nowhere else to learn the game of cricket. In Malvern, there are virtually no cricket pitches, and the academy is the first and only to be built to International Cricket Council standards.
At the academy, cricket has become more than just another sport to youth in the community.

“I look at how many kids were in trouble, and now they’re not leaving this place,” Joseph said. “And they stay afterward. They hang and talk about cricket.”

There is no shortage of talent or dedication to the sport locally. The academy is consistently filled with practising cricketers. A number of clubs exist in Scarborough, including the Malvern and Victoria Park cricket clubs who practise out of Joseph’s academy. Unfortunately, it’s not easy for the clubs to get residents engaged in a sport with practically no funding, and minimal space to play.

“The city spends all kinds of money on correctional services, when they could spend it on this for kids,” Joseph said.

Ronald Silva, a rugby player who uses cricket to stay fit, said money provided by the cricket council and the government is being mismanaged. The Canadian Cricket Academy is funded privately.
“Funds are coming in, but we don’t know where they’re going,” Silva said. “The city has to take responsibility.”

The level of promotion for cricket in Toronto, or Canada for that matter is laughable, Silva said.  To discuss the matter further, Ward 42 councillor Raymond Cho was unavailable for comment.

Cricketer Mustafa Qamar said not only is there a lack of pitches, but the pitches that are available are in a terrible state. The pitch he plays at is constantly abused and ruined by people playing other sports, like golf.

“If you try to run on the ground you could twist your ankle,” Qamar said. He added that cricket pitches in Toronto are often found in undesirable locations, such as in hydro fields under power lines.

Former Canadian national cricketer Balaji Rao has seen firsthand the rise in popularity of the game in Scarborough, but he agreed that supply is not close to meeting demand.

“Cricket is a religion back home,” said Rao of his native India. “I came seven years back, and there has been a huge difference because of immigration, but we have a long way to go.”

Almost all hands went up when supporters at the Scarborough Hockey Association were asked if they’d be willing to volunteer to help keep hockey alive in Scarborough.

Over 150 supporters including coaches, parents and kids attended the SHA meeting on Dec. 3. Some of the kids were part of the hockey teams in the SHA and proudly sported their hockey jerseys and jackets.

The meeting consisted mostly of the public asking SHA president John Kelloway and the board of directors questions about the association’s marketing plans and whether or not there will be hockey in Scarborough.

“We want to help,” a woman in the crowd said to Kelloway and everyone else. “That’s why we’re here. Let’s keep the SHA alive.”

Several accused Kelloway of “sabotaging the league,” “not taking his job seriously,” and not trying to market the SHA.

“If you’re not happy, step down and find a new replacement,” another woman in the crowd said to Kelloway.

Near the end of the meeting, two options were presented to the public.

Option A is to have the SHA continue as a non-profit community hockey league. More action to reach parents and kids in Toronto would be undertaken.

Option B proposes the SHA join the Greater Toronto Hockey League. Some hockey teams in the SHA would disappear and some would play according to the GTHL’s schedule and cities.

The SHA’s board of directors are currently debating these two options.

You can visit www.saveshahockey.com for the detailed proposals and vote for which one you prefer.

- Sir Oliver Mowat CI, Tues. and Thurs. 8:15-9:30 p.m.

- Sir Wilfred Laurier, Wed. and Fri. 6:30-8 p.m.

- West Hill CI,  Mon. and Thurs.  8:30-9:30 p.m.

Amanda Hummel finished third in the midget girls 3110 m in 14:12.99.

He was also recruited by NCAA schools such as Pittsburgh.

Kaylan Anderson and Papa Oppong will be playing for Wisconsin-Milwaukee and East Kentucky respectively.

The former Canadian rower and three-time Olympic gold medallist, who was also a 1999 Pan Ams champion in Winnipeg, is thrilled to finally see Toronto win its first major international sporting event.

“Toronto finally won something,” said a jubilant McBean from a city-run party on Queen’s Quay just after the Canadian city clinched the victory.

Ontario’s capital had previously failed in its bid for the 1996 and 2008 Summer Olympic Games, events that went to Atlanta and Beijing, respectively.

“These games are going to be bigger than the Olympics Vancouver will be hosting next year,” McBean told CityTV.

She went on to defend the calibre of the athletes at the Pan Ams, and does not see these Games as much of a downgrade from the big show.

“The Pan Am Games are the second-largest sporting event out there.  For me, the level of competition is quite high.”

“In some sports the Pan Am competition is the highest level of competition and in other sports the Pan Ams are used as an Olympic qualifier.”

Most of all, this event will be a good test run for athletes who are looking ahead at the 2016 Olympic Games set for Rio de Jainero.

“For me personally, [the Pan Ams] were a really important place for us to test a lot of our systems, and to test the environment of a multi-sport camp.  There are a lot of phenomenal athletes who compete at the Pan Ams.”

McBean is also excited about the new sports infrastructure that will be built as a result of the win.

Of the $2.4 billion that the city will pay for the Games, $1 billion will go toward the construction athletes’ village.

The provincial and federal government will each be on the hook for 35 per cent of the cost, while the remaining $428.5 million will be covered by private investors.

“Sports facilities and venues are very much like congregations.  That’s where communities come from now,” she said.

“These congregations will be able to come and cheer for the athletes and watch them develop, so it becomes a healthy and spirited community.”

This win is a major victory for Ontario athletes who have often left the province in search of better sports complexes for their training.

“At the high end we have been losing far too many athletes to other provinces, and to other countries, because they are going to find better coaches and better facilities.”

“But now with better facilities you can draw in coaches, trainers, and you can have a magnet brining everybody in.”

McBean said that the manner in which Toronto won the Games was also impressive.

“It’s not a surprise that Toronto won the bid, it’s a surprise that we won on the first ballot,” she said.

Improvements to the city’s infrastructure also hang in the balance.

Sports facilities would be the immediate beneficiaries of a successful pitch, in particular there will be five sites that will be created to accommodate the PanAm Games that officials believe will leave a lasting legacy in Toronto:

• The Canadian Sport Institute Ontario will provide interdisciplinary training, sport science, state-of-the-art equipment, sport medicine and advanced coaching.

• The Pan American Aquatics Centre, at the University of Toronto Scarborough, featuring a dive tank and twin 50-metre pools, will be the premier aquatics facility in Canada.

• Two additional 50-metre training pools, one located on each side of the Toronto region, are also part of the venue legacy.

• Pan American Stadium in Hamilton will create the capacity for hosting world-class competitions and also have an extensive community legacy.

• The Pan American Velodrome, at Hamilton, will be the only indoor 250-metre cycling track in Canada and one of only two in North America.

(View a complete *.PDF on all the facilities included in the bid.)

“I wish we had more facilities when I was growing up because we were kind of limited to certain places to go and work out,” said Priscilla Lopes-Schliep, a bronze medallist in the women’s 100-metre hurdles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, raised in Scarborough.

“This is going to help bring more opportunity for the younger generation. Once the Games have taken place and the facilities are there, it’s going to enrich those kids and help with other events.”

According to the bid’s organizing committee, there will be other long lasting benefits for the people of Toronto.

Bob Richardson, a spokesman Toronto’s bid committee, told CBC News the games will improve the city’s social infrastructure.

Public transit will be expanded in Scarborough, making it easy for fans and athletes to attend events at the Pan American Aquatics Centre.

This would be a shot in the arm to the Greater Toronto Area’s public transportation system, one already undergoing extensive expansion as part of the Toronto Transit Commission’s TransitCity initiative.

Plans for the athlete’s village call for an 80-acre site in the city’s waterfront district alongside the Don River. According to the bid’s website:

“The secure perimeter of the Village will enclose an 18-acre park featuring running and cycling trails, a recreation/fitness centre, a 400 metre track and a 50 metre pool.”

At the completion of the games, the residential buildings will become a diverse and ecologically sustainable residential and mixed-use development.

“We’re building 8,500 units of housing in the Toronto port lands,” Richardson said to the CBC.

Some of that development will be offered as affordable housing on what the organizing committee describes as “a previously underutilized site.”

All of these projects are pending the approval of the 2015 Pan American Games bid itself, and even then may be subject to change.

Toronto is competing against Lima, Peru, and Bogota, Columbia. The winner of the bid will be announced Friday, after 5 p.m. ET.

After falling behind in the second set, Newtonbrook came from behind to pull out the two game victory, 25-20, 25-22.

“It felt pretty good,” Newtonbrook captain Jamie Galka said. “Whenever you come [from behind] it feels good, especially when you’re down in such a big game.”

Galka, along with teammate Farbod Taliayan, outdid Mackenzie in their net play, not allowing the Lyons many kills and forcing them more often than not to bump the ball into the North Stars half.

Following a scrambled start that saw the North Stars fall behind 7-2 in the second set, coach Mia Kim called a key time-out.

“I think when they get behind, they get a little frantic and so they’re not passing the ball as well,” Kim said. “So I just told them to calm down and re-focus.”

Taliayan said he wasn’t really worried because the team had been in that situation before.

“We knew what we had to do. We had to pick it up, get low, start moving around, calling for the ball, and making sure our setter gets a good pass so he can set the ball.”

Taliayan has taken over more of a leadership role since the club’s best player, Levi Warrack, went down with injury a few weeks ago, Kim said.

After the time out, Newtonbrook began to move the ball around in a more succinct fashion as it began to cut into the Mackenzie lead.

“[They have to] make sure the pass goes up first and remember one step at a time,” Kim said. “First thing is the pass, then you can hit.

“And after they started to pass it a little bit better, then we were able to pass more and then that put the other team on the defence. So I think that worked out for us.”

A big part of their plan was to try and take the Lyons’ top player, Cressan Genus, out of the game.

“I just told them that when he gets set in the backcourt they have to peel off the net and only put up one block,” Kim said.

“His ball was hard hit, but it was a roll shot, so it dropped back and [my team wasn’t] getting back off the net fast enough and weren’t digging it.

“So I told them not to block his shot so much, only one blocker, and the rest of guys peeled off to dig.”

In the end, Newtonbrook made less errors, especially on its serves.

Mackenzie made eight unforced errors on serves, mistakes that allowed the North Stars to stay in the game even when the Lyons were controlling other aspects of the match.

The victory is Newtonbrook’s 10th in a row. After losing the season opener to Victoria Park on Sept. 29, the club hasn’t  lost, winning the East Division with a 9-1 record.

Semi-final action runs Nov. 9 against A.Y. Jackson in their home gym.

After a promising start to the season with a victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, Toronto (1-2) has dropped two in a row, ceding 115 points to the Memphis Grizzlies and 125 to the Magic.

“We didn’t do the things defensively that we’ve been talking about since the preseason,” veteran forward Chris Bosh said after the loss to Orlando. “Have all contested shots and give them one rebound.”

Toronto had only a total of two steals and six blocked shots against the Magic.

Head coach Jay Triano will also want to emphasize rebounding, particularly on offence.

In their last game, Toronto was out-worked on the offensive boards by the Magic 14-9. They are currently ranked 21st in the National Basketball Association in recovering the ball.

The Dinos will get an opportunity to find their defensive backbone Wednesday night against the 2-2 Pistons. 

Detroit will need to keep up constant pressure on offence, something that has been a problem for them in their first four games.

“When teams go on a run, instead of us staying with what we were doing in the first half,” said former Raptors’ first round pick Charlie Villanueva. “It seems like we get away from that and lose a little bit of focus.”

Injuries have already started to pile up for the Pistons, reflecting their older lineup.

Tayshaun Prince, a mainstay of the lineup for years, will miss the game in Toronto to rest a sore back. Up until Tuesday night’s game with Orlando the veteran forward played 496 consecutive games.

Richard Hamilton will be a game-time decision for the Pistons, having already missed three games this season with a sprained right foot.

One thing Raptors fans can rely on is that their team can score.

Bosh is off to a hot start, averaging 31 points-per-game, while Andrea Bargnani is coming into his own, averaging 22 scores each night.

Bargnani has become a 3-point threat this year, making eight treys so far this season, with a solid 61.5 shooting percentage.

After playing the Pistons, Toronto will spend most of the next three weeks on the road, with seven of their next eight games outside the friendly confines of the ACC. Their first stop will be this Friday in New Orleans.

Detroit will head south for a rubber match in Orlando.

Sokolwski and Cynamon had been associated with Ice Edge Holdings, a group of eight Canadian and U.S. businessmen who have already made a pitch for the Coyotes.

Sources familiar with the bidding say that their involvement with Ice Edge ended several weeks ago.

The pair are currently considering their options and have put together about a dozen financial backers to support their offer, sources said.

Cynamon spoke to the Globe yesterday, and confirmed that he and Sokolowski are putting together their own bid, separate from the Ice Edge proposal. He declined to provide further details.

Daryl Jones, an Ice Edge investor, also declined comment.

It is expected that the NHL will get approval from an Arizona bankruptcy court on Monday to buy the Coyotes and pay creditors about $140-million (U.S.). This would allow the NHL to re-sell the franchise.

Commissioner Gary Bettman had mentioned Sokolowski and Cynamon as potential bidders for the club in an affidavit filed last June, shortly after the Coyotes were put into Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Bettman’s filing said that the Toronto-based businessmen, as well as three others, “indicated an interest in operating the franchise in Phoenix.”

This surprised many observers, as it was commonly believed that they would have moved the team to southern Ontario, should their bid be approved.

The two have never commented on Bettman’s affidavit.

Sokolowski and Cynamon met with Jones and other Ice Edge investors during the summer, but sources close to the bid say that the Argonauts owners were never formally members of the bid.

Ice Edge withdrew its bid in September, claiming there was not enough time to negotiate an arena lease.

In June, the Globe and Mail reported that BC Lions owner David Braley had helped broker Sokolowski and Cynamon’s purchase of the Argonauts in 2003.

He also reportedly fronted them half the $2-million necessary to buy the then bankrupt team.

CFL commissioner Mark Cohon, Braley, and the Argonauts all confirmed the report’s findings.

Several media outlets reported in mid-Oct. that the pair were interested in selling the Toronto CFL franchise.

In a statement issued Oct. 14, the Argonauts co-owners said they are “exploring different opportunities and are weighing what is in the best interests of ourselves, our families, and the future of the Toronto Argonauts.”

Many believed that Braley, a native of Hamilton, Ont., would sell the BC Lions and purchase the Argonauts.

“I want to stress that the [Lions are] not for sale,” said Braley in a statement. “I remain the team’s owner, proud of its accomplishments, both on the field and in communities across British Columbia, and dedicated to its future success.”

Sokolowski and Cynamon’s bid for the Phoenix Coyotes is contingent on a number of factors, including the NHL’s ability to purchase the franchise and then re-sell it, finding sufficient financial backing, and out-bidding other potential buyers.

Hosts Laura Barney and Angela Willatt are on desk for CSTV’s first-ever all-female sportscast.

That’s right, anything boys can do, girls can do better. And there’s more.

For the sixth edition of the show, they’ll take a deeper look at women in sports and give you a taste of something new.

Victoria Quarmby takes you down to Marc Garneau Collegiate for some girls-only ball. Not basketball, it’s something better.

For all of the tennis fans, Jordan Reginato serves up a three-day diary of the Riverdale girls tennis team and you don’t want to miss out on the action.

And finally, Matt Padanyi packs a punch in women’s boxing this week as he goes ringside at Fight Factory IX.

Don’t feel left out, gentlemen. This show is for you as well. We haven’t forgotten all that’s Centennial College sports and other local high school games.

Join the team Friday October 30 at 8 p.m. online ondemand.centennialcollege.ca.

Andrus and Moreno made their comments in the aftermath of Friday’s 26-17 loss to arch-rival Hamilton.

“I’m just saying the stuff is not consistent, game to game, crew to crew,” Andrus said Friday. “What’s a penalty one week isn’t a penalty the next week. There are times when I don’t know what to tell our guys.”

Toronto had already been eliminated from the playoffs, but was hoping to end the season on a high note.

A particularly contentious offside call nullified a 47-yard interception that Moreno had returned for a touchdown.

“I don’t really like to complain about officiating,” said Moreno on Friday. “But there were so many calls in this game that kind of make me wonder how much effort and time these officials put into scouting and watching film.”

Hamilton had mounted a 20-0 lead by halftime and held off a second-half charge by the Argonauts, who saw their record fall to 3-13.

Today Beeston agreed to become the president and CEO of the club and Rogers Centre for the next three years. He had held the position for the past 12 months in an interim role.

During that period, team owner Rogers Communications Inc. repeatedly asked him to take over the job permanently. After much consideration, Beeston decided over the weekend to accept the offer.

“I was prepared to turn this over,” Beeston said. “It’s only been in the last kind of month where I’ve said if I’m going to be here and I’m going to be in some role [...]  I might as well do it the best I can.”

After twelve months of pursuing Beeston and other potential candidates, the Blue Jays’ parent company was relieved to have the position filled.

“We are thrilled that we were able to convince Paul Beeston to take on this role,” Tony Viner, president and CEO of Rogers Media said in a statement. “Paul’s unique set of qualities made him our clear first choice,”

“He approached the [interim] role with his usual high energy and conviction to set the club up for success — something he’s now committed to do for the long term.”

In October, 2008, Beeston took over from Paul Godfrey and was tasked with finding a permanent successor who could make a five-10 year commitment to the team.

“We got here from a very honest, straightforward and exhaustive search for somebody to be the CEO,” Beeston said to the Canadian Press. “We interviewed a number of people.”

Beeston was the Blue Jays’ first employee when the club was started in May, 1976, and was an integral part of the team’s golden years in the 1980s and 1990s.

During his first tenure as president and CEO the Toronto Blue Jays won two World Series championships. He is one of nine former members of the organization who are enshrined on the “Level of Excellence” at the Rogers Centre.

Beeston left in 1997 to become the chief operating officer in Major League Baseball’s commissioner’s office, a post he held in 2002.

Since his return to Toronto’s front office, he has remade the organization, including hiring new general manager Alex Anthopoulos to replace J. P. Ricciardi.

According to Beeston, the first order of business is to work with Anthopoulos and his staff and decide what direction the team should take.

Rogers President and CEO discusses future of the Jays

Paul Beeston’s Previous Record as President and CEO of the Toronto Blue Jays

1989: 89-73 (.549)
1990: 86-76 (.531)
1991: 91-71 (.562)
1992: 96-66 (.593)
1993: 95-67 (.586)
1994: 55-60 (.478 abbreviated by lockout)
1995: 56-88 (.389)
1996: 74-88 (.457)
1997: 76-86 (.469)

Second tenure:

2009: 75-87 (.463)

Total: 793-762 (.510)

The game will be held at Don Montgomery Arena.

According to the former Toronto FC star, the incident occurred after Rangers’ 4-1 loss to the Romanian side Unirea Urziceni in Champions League play.

He did not play in the match. 

“Not sure what hurt more: result or being racially abused by couple of our own fans as I’m getting in my car,” said Edu on his Twitter account.

The 23-year old midfielder played in 38 games with Toronto FC, winning Major League Soccer’s 2007 Rookie of the Year award.

Glasgow Rangers posted a statement on their website addressing the allegations:

“The action of this individual is disgusting and completely unacceptable. Rangers will undertake a investigation to identify the individual in question and take appropriate action.”

In the statement the club also emphasized their commitment to the Show Racism the Red Card campaign, a British anti-prejudice charity.

“The racial abuse suffered by Maurice Edu last night was totally unacceptable,” said Billy Singh, the campaign’s manager. “Would the same fans have reacted in the same way if he had scored the winning goal last night?”

Rangers Supporters Trust, an organization that gives voice to fan concerns, also condemned the reported actions of the individuals involved in the incident.

“If identified, the alleged perpetrators should face lifetime bans from Ibrox [stadium] and the full force of the law.”

Edu moved to Glasgow from Toronto FC in August of 2008 for a $4.5 million transfer fee.

Tune in to this week’s edition of Centennial Sports TV for updates on scores and stories in the East York area.

Join Matt Levicki and Jordan Reginato Friday, Oct. 23 at 8 p.m. for all your community sports action.

In this week’s episode, Stephen Colomvakos hits the court with the East York Goliaths to see if the senior girls basketball team can continue their remarkable undefeated season.

Elena Pagliarello scales the walls of the Toronto Climbing Academy to find out why this sport is on the rise as an exciting new way to keep fit and have fun.

And our curling expert Craig Richenback checks out a weekly social event with a twist.

You’ll also get your Centennial sports fix with the most recent scores and upcoming games for the school’s varsity teams.

Watch it live on Friday at www.ondemand.centennialcollege.ca at 8 p.m.

Fourth-year pivot Evan Martin led the Warriors (2-5) offence on the day, going 21-29 for 348 yards and three touchdowns.

Toronto’s Jansen Shrubb countered with 103 yards and a touchdown on 5-of-14 passing. Andrew Gillis and Jordan Scheltgen also saw action in the pocket late, but threw for a mere 22 yards combined.

Despite giving up 30 points, Blues second-year head coach Greg DeLaval thought it was the offensive struggles throughout that let the team down.

“Overall, I think we just missed the open receivers,” he said. “We didn’t throw the ball very well at all today.

“We had some guys who were open, and if we throw it to them some of them dropped it.”

Knowing the Warriors were coming in with something to prove after dropping the season opener to Toronto last year 18-17, DeLaval gave modest credit to today’s victors.

“I think that their guys came to play emotionally,” he said. “We expected that because of last year, but in terms of schemes they showed us what we expected.”

All Warriors in third quarter

The game ended much like it began, as both teams battled hard for field position.

With the game somewhat out of reach heading into the final frame, DeLaval opted to give quarterback Andrew Gillis some time in the pocket.

The Markham, ON, product had been missing from the last two games with lingering concussion symptoms.

Waterloo could have made it a 33-7 final, but a late close-range field goal attempt was booted just wide.

Leading 18-7 to open the second half, the Warriors picked up a 28-yard touchdown toss by Martin to Sean Cowie at 11:35.

Pinned deep in their own end, Toronto (1-6) was forced into a safety at 5:59 of the third quarter to make it a 20-point ball game in favour of their opponents.

Third-year kicker Dave Sevigny added a 23-yard field at 3:59 of the period to bump it up to 30-7.

Back-and-forth opening half

After the change of field positioning in between opening periods, the Blues wasted no time tying the game 7-7 as Shrubb found sophomore fullback Jonathan Wright all alone in the far left of the Bloor Street end zone.

At 11:10 of the second quarter, the Blues ceded a lone point when their special teams were taken down in the end zone following a bouncing Warriors punt.

Toronto’s offence looked as if they were going to quickly make up for the blunder on their next drive, but came up just short on a third and one call and gave the ball up back to Waterloo inside the five yard line.

The Warriors made it 15-7 at 5:19 after freshman Matt Socholotiuk caught and ran 41 yards into the house after the Warriors had picked up 23 yards in the air on a scramble play by Martin.

At 2:27, Waterloo’s Sevigny added a 25-yard field goal to solidify an 11-point lead going into the locker room at halftime.

The first quarter saw the ball stay primarily in the Blues half of the field, as the Warriors threatened on several red zone appearances.

With under three to go in the quarter, a sack by Toronto’s defence made it second and 19 for the Warriors, sending the visitors back once again.

On the next play, Martin shoveled a play action hand-off to Socholotiuk, who rushed into the end zone untouched for his first major of the afternoon.

NOTES: Waterloo racked up an impressive 329 yards of total offence in the first half on 41 plays. They finished with 515 total … The Blues will end their season with a road game against the University of Western Mustangs on Oct. 24 at 1 p.m. ET.

Running back Arkee Whitlock led the visitors from Alberta , scoring two touchdowns in the second half and rushing for a total of 140 yards.

It was Edmonton’s first win in Toronto in four seasons and could not have come at a better time as the Eskimos battle with Hamilton and Winnipeg for the final playoff spot.

The victory also knocks Toronto out of the postseason.

Edmonton’s Ricky Ray went 17-for-24, 170 yards, adding a touchdown and an interception.

Toronto pivot Kerry Joseph threw for more yards, but was much less efficient. He completed 25 passes in 42 attempts for 289 yards with two interceptions.

His one touchdown came with two minutes left and it capped nearly two month since Toronto has last scored through the air. 

After a quiet first half, Edmonton’s defence created a break when Andrew Nowacki picked up punt returner Jason Smith’s fumble. The play put the ball four yards away from the end zone.

Running back Whitlock punched the ball in for a score, followed by a Noel Prefontaine kick to give the Eskimos a 15-9 lead.

Toronto responded with its strongest drive of the night that moved the ball 61 yards down the field and culminated in a Justin Medlock field goal to keep the Argos alive at 15-12.

Whitlock struck again with a breakout 53-yard run. His second touchdown put the Eskimos out of the Toronto’s reach for good at 22-12.

With just under seven minutes left in the fourth, Edmonton’s Byron Parker picked off his former teammate Joseph. The interception was particularly special for the cornerback, who was traded to the Eskimos earlier this season.

The move came after Parker compared Toronto’s defence to Pop Warner kids’ football.

Joseph and the Argonauts finally scored a touchdown with two minutes left on the clock when Toronto’s pivot found Jeff Johnson for a two-yard reception.

Following a Medlock kick, the Boatmen were down just 22-19, with their defence in a position to stop Edmonton.

But the offence ran out of time.

Defence dominates

The first half was defensively oriented, with more punting then passing.

Toronto came out flying, blocking a Ricky Ray pass on Edmonton’s first snap, and then getting a deflected interception on his second attempt. Linebacker Willie Pile ran it a dozen yards before being knocked out of bounds.

That interception allowed Toronto to strike first with Medlock converting a 27-yard field goal.

Edmonton took over the lead with a pass to slotback Fred Stamps, who ran 63 yards for a touchdown. After a Prefontaine kick, the Eskimos were up 7-3 five minutes into the game.

Argos quarterback Joseph moved his offence down the field with some help from two penalties by the Eskimos.

Although Toronto’s passing game was clearly struggling, Joseph got Medlock close enough to score his second field goal of the night.

Prefontaine missed a 51-yard field goal at the end of the first quarter, but got the single to make it 8-6 for the Albertans.

The second quarter was dominated by defence, with both teams combining for 12 punts by halftime. The only score of the frame came in the last second of play when Medlock booted a 27-yard field goal for the 9-6 Toronto lead.

Mike Van Ryn

It appears this season will end before it even began for the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Mike Van Ryn.

On Friday morning, the oft-injured defenceman told reporters gathered at the Mastercard Centre he would be undergoing extensive left knee surgery on Oct. 22.

“It’s been a tough decision,” he said. “This has been going on for three weeks.

“I’m confident in the doctors, so I’m ready to just go ahead and start rehab and hopefully be back on the ice.”

Dr. Bob Litchfield of the University of Western Ontario’s Fowler Clinic will perform an osteotomy — a relatively common surgical operation whereby a bone is cut to modify its alignment.

Medical personnel had previously attempted to correct the problem by draining and scoping the knee, as well as injecting cortisone shots.

Asked about the news following today’s practice, Leafs head coach Ron Wilson voiced his approval.

“He’s making the right move,” he said. “I’m hoping that Mike is going to be able to handle the surgery and be able to make a comeback next year.”

Van Ryn’s rehabilitation and recovery is estimated to take at least six months, but given his injury history and nature of the surgery itself, many analysts believe the defenceman’s days in the NHL may be numbered.

The 30-year-old acknowledged past injuries may be a legitimate concern moving forward, but is optimistic about his chances of mounting a comeback.

“I don’t think I’ll have any problems,” he said. “It’s obviously been hard for me with the last few years not playing a lot, but I still think I can play in the league.

“It’s a road, but it’s one I’m ready for and I’ll work at it.”

Currently in the second and last year of his contract, the London, ON, native came to Toronto in the trade that shipped Brian McCabe to the Florida Panthers 13 months ago.

In his last two seasons spent with Florida and Toronto, Van Ryn has laced up in only 47 games.

Because he will be on long-term layoff, the $2.9 million US the blueliner is due to make this season will not count towards the Leafs’ salary cap.

This Saturday, the Lions will host the visiting Ottawa Gee-Gee’s while the Blues will defend home turf against the University of Western Ontario Mustangs.

Ottawa Gee-Gee’s at York Lions

After dropping their last game 64-4 to the No. 5 ranked University of Western Ontario Mustangs in London, the York Lions (0-6) are now riding an embarrassing 17-game losing streak that dates back to 2007.

The visiting Ottawa Gee-Gee’s (4-2) will be a tough challenge for York, as their opponents have only lost to No. 4-ranked Queen’s and No. 5 Western this year and will enter Saturday’s contest riding a three-game winning streak.

Leading the offensive charge for the Lions will be sophomore quarterback Nick Contu. Last time out against the stingy Mustangs defence, the St. Catharines product threw just seven completions on 20 attempts for a measly 107 yards while being picked off twice.

Contu currently ranks 10^th in the OUA in passing figures with 557 yards (32-95), four touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

York head coach Mike McLean will hope his offensive unit can come together against the Gee-Gee’s, who are led by running back Jacob Appiah (284 total yards on 80 carries) and receiver Johnny Peyton (322 yards on 16 catches, three TDs in five games).

The Lions will have to be at their collective best, however, as the Gee-Gee’s are fifth in the OUA in total defence, giving up just 380 yards per game (158 rushing, 222 passing).

On the defensive side of the ball, York is allowing an OUA-worst 536.5 yards per game.

The lone bright spot is the play of Steven Reading, who ranks second in the OUA with 44 tackles (38 solo) in five games played.

Ottawa, meanwhile, is 3-0 on the road this year and ranks second overall in OUA total offence, racking up 511 yards per game.

Bradley Sinopoli, the Gee-Gee’s starting pivot, is currently third in OUA passing to complement 382 individual rushing yards.

Ottawa’s top receiver is Cyril Adjeitey, who has seven majors and 567 yards on 32 completions thus far this year, while Jordan Wilson-Ross is their go-to man on the ground with 557 yards on 69 carries and three touchdowns in five games.

Toronto Varsity Blues vs. Waterloo Warriors

The Varsity Blues (1-5) will hope to end their three-game losing streak at home when the Waterloo Warriors (1-5) roll into Varsity Stadium on Saturday.

In last week’s matchup, Toronto lost 21-3 in Hamilton against a strong McMaster squad. Starting Varsity Blues quarterback Jansen Shrubb went 20-47 for 250 yards in the game, and is currently ranked fifth in OUA passing with 1096 yards.

Despite holding the same record, Toronto’s head coach Greg DeLaval realizes that Waterloo will be fired up to avenge last season’s opening game loss to the Varsity Blues.

“They can move the football,” he said. “They’ve got a great coaching staff, most of which have CFL coaching experience, so we’re expecting a real tough game.”

Drew Meerveld leads all Toronto receivers with 457 yards this season, and is closely followed by Jonathan Wright (405 yards on 21 catches, four TDs).

The Varsity Blues are 0-3 on the year at Varsity Stadium, with their lone win coming on the road against York back on Oct. 3 (45-27). Waterloo’s only victory came over Windsor at home on Sept. 26 (49-0).

The Warriors’ Luke Balch and Evan Martin are eighth and ninth respectively in OUA passing, combining for 1,434 yards through the air. On the ground, Matt Socholotiuk has ran for 303 yards and three majors on 64 carries this season.

On defence, Waterloo’s Mitch Nicholson leads the OUA with 52.5 tackles (43 solo) in 6 games played, while on the whole, the Warriors hold the slight edge on Toronto in total allowed yardage per game (449 versus 460).

That goal allowed the Colts to avoid a pointless season as the club finished 0-10-1.

Nhem Sang replied with a goal for Fleming.

“It was the second best game we played all year,” said Colts coach Julian Carr.

“We made a mistake in the second minute of the match. The truth of the matter is we had our opportunities to win and just didn’t put it away. Same story all year.”

Fleming (4-4-3) needed the win to move into playoff contention. Instead, they are one point behind Cambrian and must depend on a win against the East division-leading Algonquin Thunder on Friday.

Cambrian also has to lose to Durham on Saturday if the Knights have any chances of making the post season.

The visitors put a lot of pressure on the Colts from the get go, and they were rewarded early for their efforts.

Sang scored the opening goal two minutes into the game with a blast from just outside the box, giving the Knights a 1-0 lead.

Fleming continued to control the game and had a great chance to double their lead on 12 minutes, but Centennial keeper Phillip Liscio dove to his left and made a spectacular save to stop a Fleming header from crossing the goal line.

The Knights used their size to their advantage in Centennial’s box and the Colts had a tough time containing Fleming’s attackers.

In the 23^rd minute, Knights midfielder Mark VanBeek connected on a corner kick, but the Colts were saved by the crossbar.

Hunte had two chances to tie the game nearing the end of the first half, but both of his shots went wide of the goal.

He took a page out of Sang’s book and scored two minutes into the second half, knotting the game at one following a corner kick.

“[The goal ] proved to these guys that we can come back,” Carr said.

“They started playing with the same intensity that they should have been playing with the whole game. When you play with that much tenacity, you will get a result and we got one tonight.”

The rest of the match was a physical affair and both teams had some choice words for their opponents on a number of occasions.

VanBeek and Centennial’s Mike DeSouza both received yellow cards.

“The guys worked hard and we deserved the point tonight,” said Colts captain Ciaran Thomspon. “If we had a little more luck on our side, I think we could have gotten the win.”

“We’re not the most skilful or technically sound team, but the one thing we have is heart. We definitely proved that today and I think Fleming was quite surprised.”

DeSouza had two great chances to put the Colts ahead in the closing minutes.

In the 89^th minute, he shot the ball in the penalty area, but couldn’t get his right foot on it and sent it wide.

In injury time, he was on a breakaway, but couldn’t get full control of the ball and Trent keeper Kyle Kennedy got a hold of it before DeSouza could get a shot away.

Overall, Carr was impressed with the team’s effort and is looking forward to what the young group can do next season.

“For this group, it’s a building block,” he said. “We started the year with 10 rookies who haven’t played on a real level so they gave us what they had. In many cases, we’re building towards the future.”

Michelle O’Brien and Brittney Sero also scored for the Knights.

Centennial falls to 2-7-2 after their final game of the season, while Fleming remains undefeated with an 8-0-2 record. The Knights still have one game remaining before the playoffs.

Despite the loss, Colts coach Diarmuid O’Connor was pleased with the effort shown by his girls.

“Today was one of our better games even though we lost 3-0,” he said.

“We played a team that is highly ranked and probably one of the favourites going into the playoffs. We had enough chances to make the game close so I’m proud of the way they played this evening.”

Fleming dominated possession from the start and had two good scoring chances in the first 10 minutes.

Fleming’s Abi Davidson got behind a defender and had a clear shot on goal in the sixth minute, but Centennial keeper Amanda Shand made the save near the right post.

Two minutes later, Fleming’s Christina Roccia tried to score on a turn-around kick in the box, but Shands stopped the ball once again, keeping the game scoreless.

In the fifteenth minute, Centennial had possession deep in their own zone and had two chances to clear it out, but Fleming kept it in.

Luckily for Centennial, the Knights couldn’t capitalize. The sequence ended when Kox’s shot went over the upright.

Kox eventually scored on 23 minutes to give Fleming a 1-0 lead. Her blast from the right side of the field went over Shand’s head and into the left side of the net.

Ten minutes later, Sero almost doubled the lead with a deflection off a corner kick, but Shands kept the ball out with her left foot.

Before the game, O’Connor emphasized the importance of not giving up an early goal.

“The game plan was to keep it tight for a while, which we did,” O’Connor said. “We were hoping to go into the half with the game tied at zero. We were down 1-0, but still were on track with the game plan.”

O’Brien made it 2-0 in the 59^th minute when she connected on a cross deep in the penalty area.

It only took them six minutes to go up 3-0.

Sero blasted a free kick past Shand for Fleming’s third goal in the 65^th minute.

Centennial’s best chance came in the 87th minute when Dana MacKenzie and Fleming keeper Emily Clute were in pursuit of a loose ball.

MacKenzie won the race, but shot it wide of the goal.

“I wouldn’t find fault on the girls’ effort tonight,” O’Connor said. “They gave 100 per cent and that’s really all you can ask.”

Last year’s first-team all-star connected on eight three-pointers as Duran dictated play for most of the night.

It was his play and fellow 2009 all-star Jermaine Duke that had Barclay’s team reeling at times.

“It’s our first game [and] they’re an experienced playoff team,” Barclay said. “They’re probably ranked first or second in our division.”

Jovain Wilson added 21 points and Duke blocked four shots for the Knights on the way to their victory.

Guard Andre Bell led the Colts with 17 points, as part of a balanced Centennial attack.

But it was two large runs by Fleming in the first half that set the game on its course.

The Knights began the contest on a 15-0 run and Barclay called two time-outs during that stretch, but it didn’t help. Not until 3:38 into the game did Centennial find the basket for the first time. 

After the Colts went on a 17-4 run of their own to bring the game to within two, the Knights put together a 23-1 stretch that had them leading 42-18 at one point.

Without those two runs by Fleming, Centennial outscored the Knights.

“If it wasn’t for the bad start, the first five or six minutes, and about seven or eight minutes just before halftime, we’re in it.” Barclay said.

Passing skills strong

Fleming kept their starters in for most of the game, and their superior passing skills left Barclay’s defence in a knot.

“They got way too many second chances on us,” Barclay said. “[They had] guys driving right to the basket without anybody stepping up, that hurt.

“We blocked one or two shots and they blocked about eight. It makes a big difference.”

Six different Knights hit three-pointers, as the team connected on 17 over the evening.

“They have some very fine shooters, and even though we talked about not letting those guys get open, talking about it and execution is not always the same thing,” Barclay said.

“They get excited about doing something, and they’re supposed to stay there and see something happen. They go away and the ball comes back.

“If they’d stayed there like we told them to, [Fleming] wouldn’t have gotten that many shots on us.”

Wilson led the Knights from the foul line, going seven-for-8, all in the first half. Both teams went 10-for-16 for 63 per cent at the charity stripe.

Second half dunk

The highlight of the second half was Wilson’s slam dunk, where he got just high enough on a clean break to drop the ball in.

Teammate Orlando Palmer had a longer hang-time, but did so without the ball and consequently was given a foul.

Bell started the Colts on the right track in the second half, nailing a three-pointer. He scored a pair of free throws shortly after, but a defensive breakdown led to an 11-0 run by Fleming that quashed any comeback hopes for Centennial.

Fleming led 50-29 at half-time.

Other than the first half run, Centennial didn’t have any large scoring spurts. Fleming continued a steady stream of putting points on the board, not allowing the Colts to get back into the game.

After dropping nine of their last 10 games and with injuries starting to mount, it would be fitting if the Toronto Argonauts‘ coaching staff decided to try something different on Friday.

The tentative proposal for the game against the Edmonton Eskimos: Start third-string pivot Stephen Reaves ahead of the struggling Kerry Joseph.

If that happens, the opportunity would allow the 24-year-old southpaw to trade in the headset for a helmet and dress in his first CFL game.

“These next few days are going to be pretty important getting ready to go in case I’m needed,” Reaves told the Toronto Star on Wednesday.

Unlike most other clubs, the Boatmen (3-11) have dressed just two quarterbacks (Cody Pickett and Joseph) through the 2009 season. 

The diverse skill set of Reggie McNeal allowed the Argos to take a chance and play McNeal as a receiver while also counting on him to step in at quarterback if need be. 

With McNeal hurt however, and Pickett still recovering from an oblique injury, Toronto’s head coach Bart Andrus has yet another quarterback decision to make this season.

Andrus said he liked Reaves’ accuracy and quick release when he watched him at the free-agent camp in Florida earlier in the year. 

After practice on Wednesday, the coach added “He’s still pretty sharp.”

Joseph himself was confident in his backup’s ability. 

“All through the season he’s prepared like he was going to play even though he hasn’t dressed,” he said.

Despite spending the year on the Argos’ practice roster, Reaves is a true student of the game. 

Last year, the Tampa Bay, Florida, native relocated to Oakland to serve as a coaching intern with the Raiders of the NFL.

This season, Reaves has been close by Andrus’ side, sending in signs from the sidelines to both Pickett and the veteran Joseph.

Back in June in limited pre-season action, Reaves generated 83 yards and completed 60 per cent of his passes in the third quarter of the club’s first exhibition contest versus the Montreal Alouettes.

NOTES: As poorly as the Argonauts have played thus far, the team has performed rather well in recent meetings with Edmonton (6-8), winning five of its last six … Toronto is now close to tying the all-time regular-season series with the Eskimos (37-38-1) … The Argos will be the home team for a regular-season game that will be played in Moncton, New Brunswick next season at the local university’s new track stadium. This will mark the first time the CFL has ever played a regular season game in the Maritimes.

The all-star forward was awarded custody of 800 domain names in court, and is now offering to return them to their rightful owners for free.

Judge Florence-Marie Cooper made the decision to entrust the domain names belonging to professional athletes and celebrities to Bosh on Sept. 24. The court order was carried out Tuesday.

“I am thrilled that I am able to offer the return of these domain names to a host of other athletes and celebrities whose names were cybersquatted,” Bosh said in a statement Wednesday. “I will offer the return of the domain names free of charge.”

Bosh won a $120,000 US award in April 2009 for the violation of his rights under the U.S. Federal Anti-Cybersquatting Consumer Protection Act in a California federal court.

Defendants Luis Zavala and his company Hoopology.com had registered the domain “chrisbosh.com” and displayed ads using Bosh’s likeness to generate revenue without having any association to the cornerstone of the Raptors organization.

Chrisbosh.com is now owned and operated through the Bosh’s media firm, Max Deal and is used to publicize upcoming appearances by the four-time NBA all star.

Zavala also owned and used nearly 800 other domains including those of NBA stars Deron Williams, Tayshaun Prince, Rashard Lewis, Danny Granger and Maurice Williams.

All of the domain names, including Hoopology.com, now re-direct to a statement from Winston & Strawn LLP, Bosh’s lawyers, explaining the court’s decision.

Bosh, who studied graphic design and computer imaging at Georgia Tech, has developed a reputation as a savvy Internet user. He has written, directed, and starred in several humorous videos on his own YouTube channel.

He regularly updates his Twitter account, and engaged in a “tweet-war” over the summer with former teammate and close friend Charlie Villanueva.

Coincidentally, Villanueva is one of 11 current or former members of the Raptors who had domain names falsely registered by Zavala. Others include Hedo Turkoglu, Andrea Bargnani and team president and general manager Bryan Colangelo.

Although the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors and Oshawa Generals both won two games last week thanks to some strong goaltending, they did not improve in the Ontario Hockey League’s standings.

The Majors (6-3) remain in second place in the Central Division, getting wins over the Peterborough Petes and the Brampton Battalion. Their one loss came at the hands of the London Knights Sunday afternoon.

Mississauga blanked the Petes 2-0 Friday night. Chris Carrozzi turned away 19 shots in the win, helping solidify a league best 1.86 goals-against-average.

“The defence did a very good job of letting me see a lot of the shots,” Carrozzi said to the Mississauga News. “It’s different when a team dominates like we did and you don’t get a lot of shots.

“You have to adapt your focus and keep your head in the game.”

Jordan Mayer’s game winning goal was short-handed, his sixth marker of the season.

The match against neighbouring Brampton was a chippy affair, with fights breaking out between the rivals in the second and third periods.

Rob Flick’s scoring touch continues to be a factor, as he scored the game’s opening marker. William Wallen’s third goal of the season stood as the game winner.

Oshawa (4-3-2) fought above .500 with wins over the Erie Otters and the Kingston Frontenacs, but still rest in the East Division’s third slot.

A weak 6-5 loss to the Barrie Colts was particularly disappointing as the Generals gave up five unanswered goals after staking themselves to a 5-1 lead.

Although that loss was undoubtedly a bitter one for Oshawa, their two victories were decisive.

Michael Zador shut out Erie, giving Oshawa a big 3-0 win Friday night, a nice rebound after the collapse against Barrie.

The Torontonian made 37 saves in the perfect game, a nice turnaround after he had been benched by General Manager/Coach Chris DePiero for four games.

“I thought Michael was especially good early and the saves he made in the first period really set the tone,” DePiero said to the team’s official website. “He gave his teammates a lot of confidence with those saves early and it really made a big difference.”

The Generals showed some offensive flair against the Kingston Frontenacs Monday afternoon, winning 7-2 in their second straight win.

Captain Jeff Hayes continues to roll, scoring his seventh goal of the season and adding an assist.

Boone Jenner, Conor Stokes, and New York Islanders’ property Calvin de Haan all matched Hayes’ production on the evening, insuring a happy Thanksgiving for Generals fans.

Oshawa is travelling to Belleville’s Yardmen Arena for a Wednesday night tilt with the Bulls. Puck drops at 7:05 ET.

The Majors will host the Niagara IceDogs Friday night at 7:30 in the Hershey Centre.

Jonas Gustavsson

That Toronto Maple Leafs so-called goaltending controversy is over — at least until Jonas Gustavsson returns from the injured reserve list.

The 24-year-old rookie, who had started his first career NHL game on Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators, was shelved on Thursday to nurse a groin injury suffered during the 2-1 loss.

“I was examined yesterday, and they think I pulled it a little bit,” Gustavsson said at practice on Thursday. “So I’ll take it easy for a few days.”

Head coach Ron Wilson told reporters the Swedish netminder is expected to miss at least a week between the posts, but hopes to have him back and game-ready within 10 to 14 days.

Wilson had originally planned on rotating the goaltending duties over the next two games, but the injury to Gustavsson opens the door for Vesa Toskala to regain his confidence after being yanked from last Saturday’s game in Washington.

“Vesa is our number one goalie anyway and he’ll play until further notice,” Wilson said.  “This is an opportunity for him to take charge now without looking over his shoulder.”

When speaking to the media on Thursday, the veteran goalie acknowledged that he’ll have to be better, but didn’t seem too worried about his early results.

“I got one point in the first game [overtime loss to Montreal] and lost the second one,” Toskala said. “It’s only three games into the season and I’m working on being ready for the next one.”

Backing up Toskala will be Joey MacDonald, who signed with the Maple Leafs during the off-season.

The 6-foot native of Pictou, N.S., has experience with the New York Islanders, Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings, and made 32 saves in the Toronto Marlies’ season opener against the Hamilton Bulldogs last Sunday.

“I just want to come in and keep on playing like I did in training camp,” MacDonald said.  “Training camp wasn’t that long ago, and it’s good to be back and get the opportunity.”

The Maple Leafs will host the defending Stanley Cup-champion Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday at the Air Canada Centre.

NOTES: In 97 minutes played to date, Gustavsson has posted a .894 save percentage and a 3.09 goals-against average … Toskala will enter Saturday’s game with an .800 save percentage and a 4.94 goals-against in 85 minutes … Rookie forward Viktor Stalberg will not play Saturday against Pittsburgh. He left Tuesday’s game against Ottawa with concussion symptoms, and may be ready to play on Monday against the New York Rangers.

Marissa Ross added eight points and grabbed a number of key rebounds for the Bulldogs (2-1).

“I don’t want to sound cocky, but we’re a pretty good team,” coach Bob Clarke said. “Last year we finished second in the [city championship] and we have basically the same team back. Yes I expected to win, I just didn’t know by how much.

Clarke did have some kind words for the Black Knights.

“I thought Malvern put up a good fight, they just lacked a couple of kids that could score. They played good on defence.”

Shaniece Thomas led a young, inexperienced Malvern (0-3) team with four points.

“We’re still going through the learning phase of playing Tier 1 basketball,” said coach Shawn McPhee, whose club has just moved up a level this season. “They hustled and played hard and fought right to the end, so I’m proud of the girls.”

Just a minute into the contest, Rebecca Lee, a Grade 9 player for Jarvis, was injured.

She sat on the sidelines for the rest of the first half clutching her left shoulder until paramedics arrived at half time to help her to the hospital.

Clarke said Lee’s shoulder has been an issue in the past and this is the third time the youngster has re-aggravated the injury.

There was no word on her condition.

Malvern only led once, up 3-2 shortly after tip-off. Jarvis then went on a tear, controlling the ball for the rest of the period and scoring seven straight points to lead 9-3 at the break.

The second quarter wasn’t much different as the Bulldogs stormed out and continued to build on their lead. At the half, Jarvis was up 23-5, combining stifling defensive play with crisp passing around the offensive perimeter.

Malvern showed their frustration in the third quarter playing more physically and taking a couple of fouls in the process.

Jarvis went into the final quarter with an insurmountable 34-12 lead.

With 3:52 left and the game well in hand, Clarke pulled all of his starters off, giving Annie Tang a chance to shine, picking up five points off the bench.

Among a number of obvious choices to pick from, Clarke highlighted the play of Vivian Hong, who had five points.

“Vivian played her best game of the year so far,” he said. “It won’t show up in the stat sheet, but she played really well.”

Around the Region: Earlier this week, Lawrence Park defeated Oakwood 55-45 to pick up their first win of the season and Jarvis beat Humberside 48-30, handing Humberside its second loss of the year.