Skyhawks Soar to Gold in St.Catherines

The Under 11 Boys (Atom) Burlington Skyhawks Gold Team soared to win the Gold Medal in the St. Catherines Tournament held on the weekend of December 9th-11th. The Skyhawks had a pefect 5-0 record over the weekend, capped off with a 44-34 victory over host St. Catherines Rebels in the Gold Medal Final Game.

Burlington started the tournament on Saturday morning with a convincing win over Niagara Falls Red Raiders 33-16, followed with a victory against Stoney Creek Newman 48-29 before playing their third game of the day on Saturday night against rivals St. Catherines Rebels.

The Skyhawks probably played their best game of the day, coming out on top 41-31 and finishing 1st in their pool.

Sunday morning saw the Skyhawks match up against Blessed Sacrament #2 in the Semi-Final, although the boys started slow and looked mentally tired they held their composure for a 44-37 win and earned the berth in the Gold Medal Game.

The 2011/12 U11 Boys Burlington Skyhawks Gold Team is: Matthew Duffy, Myles McArthur, Sam Pingle, Matthew Zhukas, Justin Vos, Justin Beaudry, Jarrett Wright, Tim Mununga, Amar Lal, Daniel Hatcher, Charlie Lisac, Tyson Odger. Coach Rick Beaudry, Asst. Coach Michael Hatcher, Manager Mekashe Lal.

Coach Rick Beaudry who has developed this team over the last three years, (the team started out of the Burlington Skyhawks Steve Nash Development League in January of 2009), felt that the team’s effort in the Gold medal game was probably the best he has seen in the last three years. Beaudry has spent the last two summers running open development programs with players along with Asst. Coach Michael Hatcher and fundamentals of basketball has been the goal all along. Hatcher played basketball in the CIAU and along with Beaudry have spent hours developing these young players, following the true Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) model. Both Coaches Beaudry and Hatcher believe that teaching players good individual skills combined with defensive skills really develops the player, and ultimately makes for a better all-round team.

Coach Beaudry is extremely proud of the progression this team has made over the last three seasons, and added there is something special in the air; these kids have so much to look forward to this year.

2012 will be an exciting year for not only the U11 Boys Gold Team but the entire Burlington Skyhawks Basketball Club, as the Club hosts the Ontario Cup Championships here in Burlington from March 30th - April 1st 2012.

Burlington Skyhawks have the honour of hosting the Provincial Championships at home and are really proud that two U11 Boys Teams from the Club will be playing in the Ontario Cup in front of so many family, friends and Burlington supporters. Burlington Skyhawks Gold along with Burlington Skyhawks Blue Team coached by Cam Besseling will both participate in the Ontario Cup.

There is lots of basketball to be played prior to the Ontario Cup, of which the Annual Skyhawks Tournament is, both U11 Skyhawk boys Team will play in the home tournament from Friday January 13th - Sunday January 15th.