Amidst the terrible weather that has plagued southern Alberta over the past few weeks, and despite the flood warnings on their trip to Cranbrook B.C., the Jr. Dinos are the 2005 Sam Steele Invitational Tournament Champions.

Making easy work of the competition, the Jr. Dinos disposed of Nelson, B.C., the Lethbridge Cougars U-17 and U-16 teams, and the Jr. Trojans of Calgary in the Final. The Jr. Dinos average margin of victory was an amazing 63 points over the 4 game tournament including a 47 point victory over the Jr. Trojans in the Championship game.

The Jr. Dinos began the tournament a little weary after a day of travel against Nelson B.C. After trailing 14-13 early in the game, the Dinos quickness and tenacity propelled them into the lead to stay winning the game 97-34. The Dinos were lead by the hot hand of Cam Perry who scored 30 points on 6 three pointers including hitting his first 5 in the opening half. The Dinos defense stifled Nelson in the second half as they were only able to score 12 points.

After a good night’s rest in Kimberley, the Dinos returned to action on Saturday morning against the Lethbridge Cougars. The Dinos prevailed in another dominating win, 107-42. The key to the Dinos victory was the staggering defense played by Dave Ness and Mike Haggarty on the Cougars top scorer. Forcing him out of his game, the Dinos capitilized and put the Cougars away early. The Dinos attack was lead by Brennen Fule who scored 24 points including 5 three pointers. Strong performances were also had by Logan Armstrong, and Adam Lonseth.

The next game saw the Dinos playing the Lethbridge Cougars U-16 team. In a game which featured 6 players in double figures, the Cougars were simply no match for the Dinos. The final score was 115-36. The Dinos were lead by Jared Laird, a newcomer to the squad after spending some time with the Alberta Provincial team. The 6′6″ center scored 16 points, and added 7 rebounds in the Dinos Route.

The Sam Steele Championship game saw the Jr. Dinos take on their in Calgary rival, the Jr. Trojans. After starting slow, including some sloppy play and turnovers, the Dinos lead 49-39 at the half. The second half was a completely different story. The Jr. Dinos exploded with their relentless effort, outscoring the Trojans 67-20, finishing the tournament up with a 116-69 win. The Dinos were lead by 6 players in double figures. Adam Lonseth led the way with 21 points, Logan Armstrong added 17, and Matt Urbanowski, who had an outstanding all around tournament at the point guard position, added 17 points and 13 assists. Mike Haggarty and Dave Ness once again played outstanding perimeter defense on the Trojans best player holding him to 14 points and limiting his play.

The Jr. Dinos will resume action at the Stampede Shootout in Calgary on the July 1 weekend. A special thanks goes out to all of the parents who braved the bad weather to drive to Cranbrook. Your support and committment to the team and program do not go unnoticed!

Front Row (left to right): Matt Urbanowski, Mike Laffin, Dave Ness, Adam Shaw, Doron Nand
Back Row (left to right): Coach Matt Skinn, Andrew Wytsma, Logan Armstrong, Cam Perry, Adam Lonseth, Cam MacFarquar, Asst. Coach Kol Armstrong

In their first tournament against competitors their own age, the Calgary Jr. Dinos won the Sheep River Shootout in Okotoks, AB this past weekend. In a dominating performance, the Jr. Dinos captured the U-17 A division in style defeating the powerhouse club team out of Saskatchewan, the Jr. Huskies, 94-75 in the finals.

In the first round, the Dinos were matched-up against the Edmonton Grads Basketball Club based out of Edmonton, AB. After waiting an extra 10 minutes due to traffic problems by the Grads, the Jr. Dinos started slow, but quickly jumped out to an insormountable lead. The Dinos balanced attack was way too much for the Grads to handle, with the final score being 113-58. The Jr. Dinos were led by the unbelievable play of Andrew Wytsma. Andy racked up 32 points, 15 rebounds, including 10 offensive boards to pace the Jr. Dinos attack. Cam Perry was also tremendous scoring 25 points including 6 three point field goals, and 2 dunks. Strong play was also put up by Brennen Fule, and point guards Mike Laffin, Doron Nand, and Matt Urbanowski who pushed the play for the entire game creating the pace the Dinos wanted to play. Defensively, the Dinos had over 15 steals using the full court pressure to totally halt the Grads attack.

In the Semi-final game, the Jr. Dinos played the Bert Church Chargers out of Airdrie. A familiar foe, the Jr. Dinos knew that the Chargers would give a huge effort against them. However, using a stifling defense and spurting out to a 28–1 lead, the Jr. Dinos left the Chargers in the dust winning 84-46. The Jr. Dinos were led by the outstanding effort of post Adam Lonseth who scored 23 points, and grabbed 13 rebounds all on terrific hustle. Adam Shaw out of Grande Prairie, AB, who had a terrific all around tournament for the Jr. Dinos scored 16 points including 4 steals and 4 rebounds. Logan Armstrong out of Youngstown, AB had a great game as well scoring 13 points and playing terrific defense. This win set up the match-up against the Jr. Huskies in the final.

Outsized upfront, the Jr. Dinos looked to be outmatched by the much bigger Jr. Huskies. However, the work of starting post players Andrew Wytsma and Adam Lonseth was the difference in the game. Both standing at around 6′3″, Andy and Adam used their superior athleticism, hustle, and outside/inside game to stop their opponent and led the Dinos to the 94-75 victory. Andy and Adam both scored 25 points in the final game, and both had at least 10 rebounds to seal the victory.

Leading 37-31 at half, the Dinos exploded in one portion of the second half going on a 15-0 run in a 2 minute span leaving the Huskies in their wake. Superb defense, and superb depth helped the Dinos capture their first tournament victory of the summer. Strong games were also had by Cam Perry who scored 15 points in just over 15 minutes of action due to foul trouble, and Adam Shaw who scored 11. Outstanding defensive efforts were put up by Dave Ness, who guarded the most athletic player in the tournament for most of the game, and Logan Armstrong who did a terrific job on the glass.

Next up for the Jr. Dinos is playoff action against the Old Chargers in the Airdrie Spring League on Monday June 6 at 7:15. Congratulations Jr. Dinos!

After leading the entire game, and playing some of the most inspired defense of the Spring, the Calgary Jr. Dinos lost on a buzzer beater to the Old Chargers, 67-66. With 15.7 seconds to go, Jamie McLoud of the Old Chargers, and starting point guard for the SAIT Trojans, drove from the left hand side to his right, pulled up on one foot and hit a running one hander from the free throw line against two defenders to give the Chargers the Victory.

The Jr. Dinos were unable to capitalize on key mistakes made by the Chargers down the stretch. In a terrible showing, the Chargers recieved 2 technical fouls in key moments of the game. However, the Dinos missed 5 free throws down the stretch that would have sealed the victory.

Outstanding games were had by Andrew Wytsma, David Ness, and Cam Perry.

The Dinos will experience their first action against U-17 opponents this weekend as they play in the Sheep River Shootout in Okotoks, AB. The Jr. Dinos play the Edmonton Grads at 5:30pm at Holy Trinity Academy on Friday June 3. Depending on a win or loss will decide the fate of the Dinos next game.

By finishing 6th in the Airdrie Spring League, the Jr. Dinos play at 7:15 on Monday, June 6 against the same Old Chargers to try to win their way to the League Semi-finals.

Next Weekend, the Jr. Dinos will be having a Spring Training Camp for both the U-15, and U-17 teams. The training camp will include, without schedule conflicts, Sport Psychology training by Dr. David Paskevich of the University of Calgary. These session will be team specific, and should help develop the players for the rest of the summer.

Go to www.dinosbasketball.com, and www.dinosbasketball.com/juniordinos for all of your updates!

After leading the entire game, and playing some of the most inspired defense of the Spring, the Calgary Jr. Dinos lost on a buzzer beater to the Old Chargers, 67-66. With 15.7 seconds to go, Jamie McLoud of the Old Chargers, and starting point guard for the SAIT Trojans, drove from the left hand side to his right, pulled up on one foot and hit a running one hander from the free throw line against two defenders to give the Chargers the Victory.

The Jr. Dinos were unable to capitalize on key mistakes made by the Chargers down the stretch. In a terrible showing, the Chargers recieved 2 technical fouls in key moments of the game. However, the Dinos missed 5 free throws down the stretch that would have sealed the victory.

Outstanding games were had by Andrew Wytsma, David Ness, and Cam Perry.

The Dinos will experience their first action against U-17 opponents this weekend as they play in the Sheep River Shootout in Okotoks, AB. The Jr. Dinos play the Edmonton Grads at 5:30pm at Holy Trinity Academy on Friday June 3. Depending on a win or loss will decide the fate of the Dinos next game.

By finishing 6th in the Airdrie Spring League, the Jr. Dinos play at 7:15 on Monday, June 6 against the same Old Chargers to try to win their way to the League Semi-finals.

Next Weekend, the Jr. Dinos will be having a Spring Training Camp for both the U-15, and U-17 teams. The training camp will include, without schedule conflicts, Sport Psychology training by Dr. David Paskevich of the University of Calgary. These session will be team specific, and should help develop the players for the rest of the summer.

Go to www.dinosbasketball.com, and www.dinosbasketball.com/juniordinos for all of your updates!

What a game!

Getting better game by game, the Jr. Dinos defeated their Calgary Club Rival, the Jr. Trojans 69-68 in a classic game at Bert Church in Airdrie. A team that had clobbered the Jr. Dinos just 3 weeks earlier by 30 points, the Jr. Dinos rebounded and pulled out a squeaker down the stretch.

In crunch time, it was the play of Andrew Wytsma, Doron Nand, and Brennen Fule that keyed the victory. Trailing by 8 points with 1:44 to play, Andy grabbed an offensive rebound, made the put back plus the foul to bring the Dinos within 5. After a key defensive stop, Brennen Fule knocked down a deep three to pull the Dinos within two points. Finally, after an errant inbounds pass by the Trojans, 3 3-point field goal attempts and 3 offensive rebounds by the Dinos, Doron Nand calmly dropped a three-pointer from the left corner to put the Dinos up by 1 point. After another defensive stop, Doron was fouled, missed his free throw with 1.7 seconds left to seal the game for the Dinos.

The Jr. Dinos were lead once again by Brennen Fule who had 21 points on 5 3-point field goals. Logan Armstrong had his best game of the Spring for the Jr. Dinos recording 13 points, 11 rebounds, and playing great defense for the entire game.

The Jr. Dinos next game will be played against the Old Chargers, and will decide what spot they place to finish the regular season.

Against a team filled with veteran players of the ACAC, and top high school recruits in Calgary and Alberta, the Calgary Jr. Dinos team held strong narrowly losing to the Mount Royal College Cougars 87-82. In a tremendously hard fought game, the Jr. Dinos actually trailed out of the gate 17-4 before settling down against their older, more experienced opponent. By changing the tempo of the game, along with some timely shooting, the Jr. Dinos made a charge and were within 8 points at halftime.

After the half, the game belonged to the Jr. Dinos. By controlling the pace, pressuring the opponent’s point guard, and using timely defensive stops, the lead was cut to 1 point with just over 2 minutes to play. After a few key possesions resulted in turnovers or missed shots, the Cougars were able to capitilize and pulled ahead for good down the stretch. The Cougars were led by the outstanding play of Point Guard Jeff Price, out of Lord Beaverbrook High school, as well as Mark Lynch.

The Jr. Dinos were lead by Andrew Wytsma. Andy had an outstanding game scoring 26 points, grabbing 11 rebounds including 5 offensive, and controlled the paint against a much bigger Mount Royal squad. The second half outburst was also lead by Point Guard Michael Laffin, and Guards David Ness and Mike Haggarty, who’s defensive pressure forced the tempo back in the Dinos favour.

The Jr. Dinos next game will be against the Jr. Trojans also of Calgary. The Trojans are the biggest rival of the Jr. Dinos.