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Spartans Strike Gold at OBA U19 Basketball Championships

For the third year in a row the West Ferris Spartan Club Basketball team have participated in the Ontario Basketball Championships and come home with a medal.


For the third year in a row the West Ferris Spartan Club Basketball team have participated in the Ontario Basketball Championships and come home with a medal.

In 2010 the Spartans won bronze and the past two years they were able to come home with a gold medal.

Last year blessed with an experienced group of players such as Laurentian player Sam Levac, Joey Puddister from Algoma and Spencer Brear from Sir Sanford Fleming the Spartans were able to win gold in Division 5 beating Blessed Sacrament in the Final.

This year's edition was a much younger team with well over half the team still Juvenile and Major Midget age.

"It was definitely a learning experience for a number of my players playing against teams 3-4 years older than them," said Spartans coach Larry Tougas.

The players had numerous lessons taught to them this year but finishing with U19 Ontario title in Division 8 is a great way to finish the year."

The team was blessed to have 3 returning players with experience that help carry the team through this season.

Michael Cuncins from Widdifield and Jake Tougas from West Ferris were on all three teams that medaled at OBA.

Tanner Owca from ESCA had participated with the North Bay Bulls team the past two years and provided help in the backcourt.

All other members are from all 5 local schools which created good balance in the City.

The Spartans got off to great start on Friday defeating Gloucester from Ottawa 46-40.

Jordan Roberts led the way with 17 points. Tanner Owca added 13 including a clutch three late in the game to seal the victory.

The Spartans avenged an early season loss to IEM Newarket with an impressive 69-34 thumping and their best offensive performance of the season.

Eleven players hit the scoresheet for the Spartans with Jake Tougas and Jordan Roberts each contributing 12 points each.

Garrett Hatherly and Michael Cuncins scored 8 points each, while Jack Daley chipped in with 7 points.

In the semis the Spartans defeated Blessed Sacrament from Hamilton 51-39.

Jake Tougas led the attack with 18 points and Roberts and Owca each scored 10 points.

Michael Cuncins added 7 points.

In the Tournament final the Spartans jumped all over the Kitchener-Waterloo Vipers early grabbing a 19-4 1st quarter lead.

Tanner Owca scored the first 7 points and Tougas hit a first quarter half court shot at the buzzer to stake the Spartans the early lead.

The Vipers stormed back and cut the Spartan lead 42-36 late only to have Owca and Cuncins hit free throws down the stretch and seal the title 48-36.

Other members of the Spartans included Mike Gorda, Ryan Daley, Justin Bodroghy, Jesse Pledge, Will Christian, Eric Bowman, and Sam Parfitt. Coaches Dan Coutu and Larry Tougas.

Submitted to BayToday.ca

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Chris Dawson

About the Author: Chris Dawson

Chris Dawson has been with BayToday.ca since 2004. He has provided up-to-the-minute sports coverage and has become a key member of the BayToday news team.
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