The Jr. Dinos basketball club put forth their most consistent effort of the spring season in their most recent Elite East Spring League Basketball game in Airdrie. Despite the 88-77 loss, the Jr. Dinos defense, intensity, and team play showed that they will be a threat when Club Basketball Season opens in Early June.

The Jr. Dinos were lead by the gutsy play of their two starting post players. Andrew Wytsma lead the way for the Jr. Dinos scoring 18 points, 9 rebounds, including 3 key offensive rebounds down the stretch to bring the team within striking distance. Adam Lonseth continued his consistent play scoring 14 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, while hustling, diving, and doing all of the little things that any good team needs done in order to win. Strong defensive efforts were put in by Dave Ness and Mike Haggerty, who contended with League leading scorer Jamie Mcloud for most of the evening. Matt Urbanowski was also outstanding in his ball contribution, and his defensive intensity.

Jamie Mcloud once again lead the way for the Old Chargers scoring 27 points hitting 6 three pointers.

The Jr. Dinos play twice next week leaving only one game remaining in the Spring League regular season. The Jr. Dinos now sit at 2-4, and are in a tie for 4th place overall in a league composed of mostly college level, or U-19 level teams.

After a disappointing loss to the Jr. Trojans just the night before, the Jr. Dinos balanced attack, passing and sharp shooting secured the victory over Elite East of Airdrie, 69-51. In a game which saw all 13 members of the Jr. Dinos roster play, the game also marked the first game for G Chris Giles who had missed previous games for personal reasons.

The Jr. Dinos athleticism and endurance was just too much for the Elite East of Airdrie to handle, which also features players from grade 9-11. The Jr. Dinos attack was lead by Reed Sieminiuk who socred 10 points. Other scorers fore the Dinos were Doron Nand, 9, Adam Lonseth, 8, Andrew Wytsma, Cam Perry and Logan Armstrong, 7, Brennen Fule and Michael Laffin, 6, Cam MacFarquar, 4, Chris Giles, 3, David Ness, 2, and Matt Urbanowski with 1.

The Jr. Dinos next game will be on Tuesday May 10 against the Old Chargers at 7:15pm at Bert Church High School in Airdrie.

With their intimidating style and clutch and grab defense, the Jr. Dinos fell victim to a much older and much more athletic Jr. Trojans team 100-73. The Jr. Trojans were lead by Calgary Dino signee Robbie Sihota, who will join the Dino Varsity squad next season.

Despite the loss, the game was a valuable learning experience for the Jr. Dinos facing a in-you-face press, as well as some very intense defense for the first time all summer. In the loss, Brennen Fule was terrific for the Jr. Dinos. The grade 10 student out of Strathmore stood up to all comers, pouring in 8 three pointers and finishing the night with 31 points for the Jr. Dinos. Strong performances were also had by Logan Armstrong who added 14 points, and 9 rebounds.

The Jr. Dinos will face Elite East in their next game on May 3, 2005 at Meadowvale Middle School in Airdrie at 6:00pm.

After trailing badly in the first half by as many as 20 points, the U-17 Jr. Dinos came back in the second half to defeat the Roswell Rayguns, 70-69 in a thrilling Spring League Game at Bert Church High School in Airdrie. After trailing at halftime by 15 points, 42-27, with a lack lustre effort on both ends of the floor, the lineup off Matt Urbanowski, Doron Nand, Logan Armstong, Andrew Wytsma, and Adam Lonseth sparked starting the second half holding the Rayguns at 42 for the first 6 minutes of play.

The Jr. Dinos surged ahead by as many as 9 points only to hold on to a narrow one point victory. Trailing by 3 points, Doron Nand made a steal, and connected on a pull-up jumper to pull the Jr. Dinos to within one point with less than 30 seconds to play. Following a defensive stop, the Jr. Dinos set-up Nand once again for the jumper. Despite the miss, Andrew Wytsma pounced on the offensive rebound, and scored the bucket while getting fouled. After missing the free-throw, the Jr. Dinos played frantic defense holding the Rayguns to a contested shot from just outside the paint, while Andrew Wytsma once again secured the rebound, and the victory.

The Jr. Dinos were lead by Logan Armstrong and his 16 points. Instant Energy Doron Nand added 14 points and numerous steals which sparked the Jr. Dinos second half comeback. Brennen Fule had a strong second half scoring 10 points, while Reed Sieminiuk and Andrew Wytsma each had 7, Adam Lonseth added 6, and Cam Perry had 5 points.

The Jr. Dinos next game will be against cross city rival, the Jr. Trojans on Monday May 2, at Berth Church High School.

After opening up a substantial lead in the first half, the Jr. Dinos dropped their league opener in the Airdrie Elite East Spring League. Leading 58-40 at halftime, and showing off their tremendous offensive ability, the Jr. Dinos were not able to withstand the experienced play of the Top of the Hill team whose pride would not let them lose to the less experienced Jr. Dinos team, winning 96-89.

The Jr. Dinos were lead by Guard Brennen Fule who posted 19 points including 5 three-pointers. Forward Cam Perry had a strong game off the bench sparking the Dinos with 15 points including 4 three-point field goals. Adam Lonseth had a tremendous game for the Jr. Dinos igniting the team with his effort and tenacity pouring in 14 points and 10 rebounds including 5 on the offensive end. The Jr. Dinos scoring was rounded out by Doron Nand, 8, Logan Armstong, 7, Reed Sieminiuk, 6, Michael Laffin and Cam MacFarquar with 5, a piece, and Dave Ness and Andrew Wystma each scoring 4 points.

The Dinos will face another experienced team in their next match-up as they take on the Roswell Rayguns, a team made up of current and former college and university players. The game will take place on April 28, at 7:30pm at Bert Church in Airdrie.

After a week of tryouts, a training camp, and some hard practices, the Jr. Dinos U-17 team was finally picked for the Summer of 2005. This year, the team will be coached by Univeristy of Calgary Dinos Men’s Assistant Coach Matt Skinn, who starts his first season as the Jr. Dinos General Manager. Coach Skinn will be assisted by William Aberhart High School Head Coach Kol Armstrong who joins the Jr. Dinos coaching staff for the second straight summer.

The final roster for the Jr. Dinos U-17 team is as follows:

3 - PG - Doron Nand - Wisewood High School
5 - G - Brennen Fule - Strathmore
12 - F - Reed Sieminiuk - Bishop Grandin
13 - F - Adam Lonseth - William Aberhart
14 - PG - Michael Laffin - Western Canada
20 - G - Michael Haggerty - Airdrie
21 - G - Adam Shaw - Grand Prairie
22 - G - Dave Ness - Master’s Academy
24 - F - Cam Perry - Wisewood
31 - G - Logan Armstrong - Youngstown
33 - PG - Matt Urbanowski - St. Francis
35 - F - Andrew Wystma - Wisewood
40 - G - Chris Giles - Okotoks
42 - F - Cam MacFarquar - Okotoks
44 - G - Matt Adamson - Diefenbaker

The Jr. Dinos will start their Spring League Schedule on April 26 in Airdrie at Bert Church High School at 8:30pm against Top of the Hill, a Men’s League team featuring former CIS players Brad Gallup and Ryan Mullhulland.

The Junior Dinos Program has been designed to develop local basketball product in the Calgary area. Its purpose is to create a positive learning environment for elite level basketball players, and prepare them in the summer months for their upcoming high school or possibly University season.

The key to this year’s Junior Dinos is preparation. With access to some of the best facilities and staff in Canada at the University of Calgary, the Junior Dinos program of 2004-2005 will implement:

• Weight Training
• Quickness and Plyo-metric Training
• Sport Psychology Training with Dr. Dave Paskevich
• Nutrition and Food Information
• Specific Position Practice
• Instruction from University of Calgary Dinos Coaching Staff

By including some of the best local coaches at the High School level, the Junior Dinos will once again be one of the provincial leaders for developing basketball talent. We all look forward to a highly successful season!