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The JC Rocket Basketball Association
Tuesday, March 24
49ers Defeat Richmond, 59-54, For A-10 Tournament Title
Charlotte, NC - Behind an all-around team effort and a balanced scoring attack led by Shannon McCallum's game-high 22 points, the Charlotte 49ers (23-8) overcame a seven-point halftime deficit to defeat Richmond (23-9), 59-54, to capture the 2009 Atlantic 10 Tournament Championship and the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Traci Ray earned Tournament MVP honors after scoring 45 points in three A-10 Tournament games. Danielle Burgin and McCallum joined Ray on the All-Tournament team. The 49ers will now wait to find out who they will play in the NCAA Tournament when the field is announced in the NCAA Tournament Selection Show, Monday, March 16 at 7 pm.
Sunday, April 20
Rachelle signs Letter of Intent
April 17, 2008
Charlotte, NC - Charlotte 49ers women's basketball coach Karen Aston announces the signing of two players to national letters-of-intent for the 2008-09 season. She welcomes Rachelle Coward of Nova Scotia, Canada and Paige McCallum of Whiteville, North Carolina to the 2008-09 roster. Coward and McCallum join Jennifer Hailey of Marshville, North Carolina, Nicole Hargraves of Greensboro, North Carolina and Katie Meador of Marble Falls, Texas, who all signed national letters-of-intent this past November, as the five members of Aston's first recruiting class at Charlotte.
"I am very pleased about the addition of Rachelle and Paige," Aston said. "They add a different dimension to our perimeter game. Both of them love the game of basketball and are gym rats and I like that about them. I am excited about what they will add to our program!"
Coward, a 6-foot guard/forward from Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia, has been named as one of the Top 100 Players in the United States by Slam Magazine.
"Rachelle adds a much needed three-point shooting threat to our team," Aston said. "She has very good range and also has great size for a guard. She understands the game very well and will adjust, I believe, quickly to the college game."
Coward, who played her senior season at Oak Hill, scored 441 points (14.5 ppg) en route to earning the team Offensive MVP honor this past season at Oak Hill. She shot 49% from the field and 54% from beyond the arc. She earned All-Tournament honors after helping her team finish as the National Runner-Up at the NACA Tournament. This past year, she played an integral role in helping the U-17 Nova Scotia team finish third in the Canadian National Tournament. She was named one of the top five players on the Canada All-Star team. Before playing at Oak Hill Academy, she starred at the Kent School in Kent Connecticut. In 2007, at the Kent School, she was named to the Founder's League all-conference team.
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"Rachelle is the purest shooter to have come through our program," Oak Hill coach Mike Rodgers said. "She has worked hard to expand her game and has become more of a scorer. Rachelle provided great leadership on this team through her work ethic and maturity as a veteran of high level international competition. She plays the game with the intelligence of a coach's kid as her father coached her growing up in her native Canada. I am excited for Rachelle to be able to step up to a great conference and continue her development at Charlotte."
McCallum, a 5-foot-11 guard/forward from North Carolina's The Patterson School, is the younger sister of 49ers freshman guard Shannon McCallum. McCallum did not play her senior season at the Patterson School due to a torn ACL. McCallum, who only went to the Patterson School for one year, enjoyed a highly successful three-year career at North Carolina's Whiteville High School before transferring to Patterson.
"Paige is very versatile and brings strength and size to our team," Aston said. "She handles the ball well and will be able to play either guard or forward. I think her upside is tremendous. She has a passion for basketball and will work at her game throughout her career. I expect big things from Paige."
At Whiteville, she was named the Wilmington Star News Player of the Year in 2007. She was a three-time All-Conference selection who earned team MVP honors during her career. She averaged a triple-double (18 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists) as a junior at Whiteville High School.
"Paige is extremely happy to continue to play along side her older sister Shannon," Patterson coach Robbie Turner said. "The transition from high school to college should be relatively easy considering Shannon can help Paige with the first few steps at the college level. This is a great opportunity for Paige and I'm very happy for Paige to sign with Charlotte."
Coward, Hailey, Hargraves, McCallum and Meador join a Charlotte 49ers women's basketball program that returns nine players from a 2007-08 squad that made the program's school-record sixth straight postseason tournament appearance
Friday, January 11
Rachelle Drains 23 as Oak Hill Goes 16-0
Oak Hill Academy 53, Carlisle 46
MOUTH OF WILSON -- Carlisle made four 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, outscoring Oak Hill 20-5, but fell short of a victory against the undefeated Warriors.
Jeneka Hunt had two of her three 3-pointers in the fourth and finished with a team-high 15 points for the Chiefs.
Nicole Collins had a double-double for Oak Hill with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Rachelle Coward led the Warriors with 23 points.
Monday, December 31
Oak Hill Academy Wins Gatoraide International in Puerto Rico.
Rachelle and Shylanda had an exiting few days in Puerto Rico participating in the Gatoraide International. The Oak Hill went 4-0 to run their season record to 14-0 for the season so far.
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| Rachelle at Oak Hill
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Saturday, December 22
Rachelle making waves!!
Wed. Dec 19 - 7:43 AM
Dartmouth’s Coward rated in top 100 players
Dartmouth basketball standout Rachelle Coward is drawing notice south of the border, landing on the list of top 100 female U.S. high school players released on SLAM magazine’s website last week.
Coward, a senior at Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va., is ranked 94th on the list, released Dec. 14.
Coward helped Nova Scotia win a bronze medal at the Canadian under-17 championships this past summer.
She played her Grade 10 year at Auburn Drive high school before heading to the U.S. Oak Hill is a famed basketball school that counts NBA stars Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant and Stephen Jackson among its alumni.
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| Justine Colley
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Saturday, December 22
Justine Colley will stay in Halifax despite recruiting efforts by American schools
ADAM RICHARDSON
Justine Colley sits on the bench with her Halifax Grammar Gryphons teammates. Her hands prop up her cheeks, and there's a pretty disinterested look settling upon the East Preston native's face.
She's not unhappy. Just bored. As the last, meaningless free throws rattle off the rim, Colley relaxes as the Gryphons girls basketball team complete another dominant performance, this one a 75-45 decision over the Charles P. Allen Cheetahs.
Colley did more than her part during the previous 40 minutes, even if things were a little sleepy. After all, it was Grammar's sixth game in eight days, and she had already posted a 31-point performance in the championship game of the Halifax Grammar Classic girls basketball tournament last Saturday - a 73-61 win against the Citadel Phoenix.
So, naturally, there was a bit of a letdown last night. You know, a 22-point, 10-rebound, five-assist, five-steal letdown in a 30-point win.
That's how good the 16-year-old point guard is.
'A special player'
"She's a special player that comes along maybe once in a lifetime for a coach," said Kathy Spurr, Grammar's head coach and a former member of the Canadian women's basketball team. "I've talked to Canadian university coaches who have said she could've started for them last year when she was in Grade 10, so that's the kind of athlete she is."
Colley is lightning fast and capable of beating most anyone one-on-one. Her medium- and long-range shooting can be streaky, but effortless moves to the basket more than make up for those inconsistencies. She gets to the line for more than her share of free throws, uses her athleticism to nab offensive and defensive rebounds over larger opponents, and shows no fear of moving to the basket in close traffic.
One of her last plays against Charles P. Allen was a quick steal which led to an easy lay-up, and she dished out several nice passes on the night, including a bounce attempt in traffic which showed growing court vision. When a teammate needed to stretch and reach one such assist, Colley blurted "sorry" - a sign of her heightened emphasis on teamwork.
Oh, and she didn't turn the ball over once.
And this probably wasn't her best work of the season.
"I work with my teammates more and I want to get them more opportunities," Colley said. "If it means rebounding, then I'll rebound. We have such great players that it makes your job easier as a point guard. There's no pressure because everyone's so talented on this team.
"I just try not to be selfish and make sure everyone works together."
She's the Metro High School Basketball League's reigning MVP, helped the school through a perfect season last year, and was part of a Nova Scotian under-17 group that won bronze at the Canadian championship last summer in British Columbia.
A woman amongst girls
While Colley looks like a woman against girls at times on the floor, she's also a girl against men - one man, in particular. To ensure her star player's development, Spurr has assistant coach Shawn Mantley, a former varsity player with the Dalhousie Tigers, guard her in practice.
These are all reasons why Colley has been contacted by a number of prominent Division 1 schools, although she says just who those institutions are remains "personal."
She isn't quite sure which degree to pursue in university, but expects to lean more towards mathematics.
"We want to raise her level of play, and we have the players to do that," Spurr said. "Players like her, that are very athletic, basically need to play against men so he pushes her physically without hurting her. He also knows the game and the expectations, so that all helps Justine prepare."
Preparation doesn't seem to be an issue, but when the games get out of hand by the third quarter, sometimes focus can falter in the most determined athletes. That's life when you help lead the most dominant girls basketball squad in the province, and the double-digit wins seem to blend together.
But she doesn't mind the odd boring night. And don't expect her to leave Grammar before graduation, regardless of how many American prep schools come calling.
"I feel like I should stay here," Colley said. "Our basketball is so good, and the education is good and I'm close to my family. My family supports me a lot, and they're at every game cheering me on. I'll probably (play here next year)."
arichardson@hfxnews.ca
Wednesday, November 21
Rocket News for Nov 18-24
Justine leads Grammar to a big 91-61 win over Steph and Sondra on Auburn. Justine scored 20 points.
After 2 games in Virginia, Rachelle is 2nd in scoring with 27 points and Shylanda leads in assists with 13.
Oak Hill destroyed Mount deChantal Visitation Academy 91-39 to go 2-0.
Way to go Girls!
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| Stepanie Hiltz
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Thursday, November 15
Sondra Medley and Stephanie Hiltz score big in Auburn win.
EAGLES 67 CHEETAHS 58 - At Bedford, Sondra Medley poured in 26 points to lead Auburn Drive past Charles P. Allen.
Stephanie Hiltz totalled 23 points and Chika Chiekwe 10 in a winning effort. Katie Waite paced the Cheetahs with 19 points, Kathleen McIver added 12, and Kelly James 10.
Thursday, November 15
Justine Colley scores 22 in Grammar win.
Colley leads Grammar to victory over SJA
Justine Colley scored 22 points to lead the Halifax Grammar School Gryphons to a convincing 86-43 win over the Sir John A. Macdonald Flames in a Metro High School Girls Basketball League game in Upper Tantallon on Wednesday.
Ellen Crosby added 21 for the Gryphons and Alex McKenna had 10. Hailey Skiffington, Shannon Chapman and Stephanie Chapman all had seven points each to pace the Flames
Wednesday, November 14
Rachelle Coward drains 21 and Shylanda Saunders 7 for Oak Hill Academy.
FCDS Girls Drop Overtime Thriller to Oak Hill (11/13)
The Forsyth Country Day School girls’ basketball team played a great game against a very strong Oak Hill Academy tonight forcing the Warriors into overtime before losing by one point 65-64. The Furies came into the game knowing they would be at a size disadvantage as Oak Hill features both a 6’4” and a 6’3 post player. The FCDS girls proved however that they were not at a disadvantage in the skill or heart department throughout the night.
The game started slowly as each team seemed to be feeling the other out during the first quarter. Oak Hill took a 13-8 lead at the end of the first quarter as six different Warriors and four different Furies scored two or three points apiece. The second quarter was another evenly matched one as each team capitalized on their respective strengths – Oak Hill’s size and Forsyth’s speed – as the teams scored seventeen points apiece giving the Warriors a 30-25 lead at the intermission. The Furies were led in the second quarter by Margaret Harvey and Taylor Duggins with five points apiece while Oak Hill’s twin tower combination of Rachelle Coward and Arieal Johnson scored seven and four points respectively. The Warriors seemed to take command of the game in the third quarter behind seven more points from Coward and six from guard Tiara Hackley. They outscored the Furies 20-10 in that frame and held what appeared to be a potentially insurmountable 50-35 lead heading into the fourth quarter. The Fury girls had bent but not broken however and Brey Dorsett scored ten points while teammate Harvey added seven in the fourth quarter to lead FCDS on a 24-9 run that would see them tie the game 59-59 at the end of regulation, forcing the overtime period. The overtime would be closely contested as well. Dorsett scored all five Fury points while Oak Hill got a total of six from three different players. With the score standing at 65-64 and 2.3 seconds on the clock, FCDS had the ball out of bounds under the Oak Hill basket. A beautifully executed inbounds play by the Furies resulted in a great look at an eight foot bank shot that seemed to be halfway down in the basket before it popped back out as time expired, giving the Warriors a well earned victory.
Statistical leaders for Oak Hill included Coward with twenty-one points, Johnson with thirteen and Nicole Collins with twelve. For FCDS Dorsett led the way with nineteen points and eight rebounds, Harvey scored sixteen points and grabbed six rebounds, Najet Ouardad scored ten points with six assists, four rebounds and four steals. Other Fury scorers included Duggins with seven points, Gena Upshaw and Hannah Allgood with five apiece and Breannah Davis-Bloom with two. FCDS, now 2-1, will take to the court again next Tuesday night at Watauga H.S. at 6:30 p.m.
Monday, September 17
Rachelle and Shylanda off to Virginia.
After leading Kent School to the New England Prep School Semi's Rachelle Coward and Shylanda Saunders have moved on to perennial basketball powerhouse Oak Hill Academy in Virginia. Good Luck Girls!
Wednesday, August 22
Rachelle Coward named to All Star team at Nationals.
Juvenile (U17) All-Stars
Lia St Pierre - New Bruswick Julie Seabrook - British Columbia Rachelle Coward - Nova Scotia Josie Peacock - Alberta Natalie Achonwa - Ontario
MVP - Jenny Vaughan - Ontario
Saturday, August 18
JC Rockets Girls Lead Nova Scotia U17 to Bronze
Our girls lead the way to an enourmous comeback vs BC in the Bronze Medal Gave at this year Canadian Championships.
Nova Scotia won 71- 66 after losing to the same team by 26 in the preliminary round!
Justine lead the way with 28 points followed by Rachelle with 16, Sondra with 8 and Shylanda with 3.
Fantasic game girls!!
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| Nova Scotia U17 Girls 2007
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Sunday, August 5
Follow the JC Rockets as they represent Nova Scotia at the U17 Nationals
An amazing five JC Rockets were chosen to represent Nova Scotia at this years U17 Nationals in Burnaby BC. Chosen were: Sondra Medley, Shyanda Saunders, Rachelle Coward, Justine Colley and Stephanie Hiltz.
Good Luck Girls!!!
Wednesday, May 16
Rachelle Coward named Athelete of the Week for Softball at Kent.
Rachelle Coward ‘08
Varsity Softball
April 29-May 5, 2007
Rachelle Coward has been an important addition to the varsity softball team. She began as a centerfielder, where her speed was obviously an asset. On May 5, Coward had her debut as pitcher in Kent’s battle with Berkshire. She had 4 Ks and only walked 4 runners, which allowed Kent to stay within striking distance in the 13-8 loss. Head coach Isabel Janelli said recently that her squad is “excited to have Rachelle on the team, and we all anticipate that her pitching will continue to improve and help the team in our last few games.”
Wednesday, May 16
Justine Colley nominated for IKON Award
Justine was nominated for the Team Player Award at the 2007 Ikon Awards. She was nominated for her outstanding season in which she led her Halifax Grammar team to a Metro and Provincial title.
Congratulations Justine!!
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| Rising Stars 2006
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Friday, March 31
Rachelle, Justine and Shylanda invited again to Rising Stars All-Star Game in Toronto
This will be the kickoff for the All-Canada Basketball Weekend.
The top grade nine to eleven boys and girls, as selected by high school coaches across the country, will put their talents on display in front of hundreds of fans.
The Rising Stars All-Star Game serves as a tremendous opportunity to recognize and encourage the young players that will become the future of Canadian Basketball.
Congratulations again Girls!
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Justine Rachelle and Shy at Rising Stars Game
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Thursday, March 15
JC Rockets Alumni help out at Justin Coward Memorial.
We noticed a number of the JC Rocket Alumni helping at this years Justin Coward Memorial. It was nice to see some of the girls and boys giving back.
Thank you all.
Thursday, March 15
Justine Colley named MVP!
Justine was named MVP for the Metro High School Basketball League and lead her team to the Provincial Championship.
Great Year!
Thursday, March 15
Rachelle and Shylanda lead Kent into the New England Prep School Semi-Finals
Rachelle and Shylanda had a great season end with a close 57-52 semi-final loss to Tabor Academy in the New England Prep School Championships. Both girls had outstanding years leading Kent to an undefeated regular season and Founders league championship. Rachelle had an outstanding Quarter-final by scoring 30 points against defending champions Worcester Academy.
Great year Girls!!
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| Rachelle Coward
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Thursday, February 8
Rachelle named Athlete of the week at Kent and to NEPSWBCA Western All-Star Squad
Rachelle Coward ‘08
Girls Varsity Basketball
Jan. 21-27, 2007
Rachelle Coward has been a major contributor to the extraordinary success of the girls varsity basketball team (14-0), and head coach Wayne Walton said that Coward “played some of her best basketball of the season” in wins against Westover and Williston. Coward had 22 points, 6 rebounds, 3 blocked shots, 1 steal, and 1 assist at Westover. The Williston game was another strong performance for Coward. She tallied 22 points, 11 rebounds, 3 steals, 3 blocks, and 5 assists to go along with a good effort at the defensive end.
Rachelle has also been named to the NEPSWBCA Western All-Star Squad and will play in the All-Star game at Loomis Chaffee on Sunday March 4 th.
Saturday, February 3
Justine Colley selected MVP of the Sussex Dairy Town Classic
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER LADIES # 5 Justine Colley H. Grammar
Thursday, January 18
Kent vs Taft Slide Show
You will see some familiar faces here.
Kent won with Rachelle scoring 20 points.
Sunday, January 7
Game pictures from Kent
Coach Walton recaps "Jam on the Hill"...
The girls entered the Pomfret School “Jam on the Hill” Girls’ Invitational Basketball Tournament on December 14, 2007. After a long bus ride we arrived at Pomfret ready to go. The girls’ first game was against Westminster at 1:00 PM. The Kent team jumped out to an early lead. At halftime, Kent led 47-14.
Rachelle Coward, a 2008 guard, led all scorers in total points with 20 points in the first half. Shylanda Saunders chipped in 12 points and Sasha Dosenko added 11 points. The entire team had an opportunity to play in this contest.
The next morning at 9:00 am, the ladies faced Wheeler School. Again the girls started out strongly taking a 36-8 halftime lead. Relentless, the girls went on to win the game, 51-23. Sasha led all scorers with 20 points followed by Shylanda with 9 and Rachelle with 8 points.
After watching other teams play during the afternoon, the team was anxious to play against Cushing Academy for the championship. Cushing entered the championship game with a 4-0 win record. This was Kent’s fourth year at the tournament, having lost a close game against Cushing last year. This year Kent was ready and jumped off to a quick lead in the first seven minutes of the game leading 20-2. The intensity of the Kent’s defense was tremendous preventing Cushing from ever recovering. Going into to halftime Kent School was ahead 37-14. The ladies continued their high level of play never allowing Cushing to gain any momentum. Kent went on to win the championship with a final score of 70-33. Sasha and Rachelle both scored 24 points followed by Shylanda with 9 points and 11 assists. Sasha led in rebounds with 10 points. Rachelle shot an astonishing 11 for 12 from the free throw line.
Everyone on the team had an opportunity to experience playing in a championship game and all contributed to the overall success of the tournament.
Tuesday, December 5
Follow Justine at Grammar.
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| Tournio des Tournades Champ 2006
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Wednesday, March 15
Mini Boys Win Two Tournaments in a row!
The JC Rockets are on a roll winning the Tournai des Tornades mini-basketball tournament in Quebec followed by an exiting come from behind win over North Preston in the final of the Justin Coward Memorial.
Monday, March 6
JC Rockets selected to All-Star teams
The JC Rocket Girls were represented well on Metro All-star teams in 2006. Four of the 10 Metro High School All-Star selections went to JC Rockets. Rachelle Coward and Justine Colley were selected First Team All-stars and Stephanie Hiltz and Sondra Medley were selected Second Team All-Stars. Rachelle was selected Rookie of the Year. Three of the girls are in Grade 10 and Justine is in Grade 9.
In addition, Shylanda Saunders, Nyssa Gashus and Carla Smith were also invited to participate in this years All-Star Game
Fantastic year Girls!!
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| Shylanda Saunders
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JC Rocket Girls make an impact in High School
The JC Rocket Alumni have hit the high school ranks with a bang! Justine Colley and Shylanda Saunders have scored double figures so far as Grade 9's, Stephanie Hiltz and Rachelle Coward and Sondra Medley are leading Auburn as Freshmen. Leslie Connors scored 19 points in her first full game in a year with Dartmouth High. Rielle Williams, Nyssa Gassus and Carla Smith are strong with PA. I fact, all of last years players are roster players for assorted High schools in HRM.
Nova Scotia Midget Girls Win Bronze!
The NS Girls shook off a tough one point loss to BC in the Semi's to take the Bronze today with a win over Alberta in Calgary.
Rachelle Coward named a first team all-star.
Congrats Girls!!
Two Rockets attend NIKE All-Canada Camp in Toronto!!
Rachelle Coward and Tremaine Fraser were selected to attend this prestigious camp in July. Only eight players for the province of Nova Scotia were selected
Nike, in conjunction with Canada Basketball , manages this event, which is a tremendous development and identification opportunity for these players.
The players are required to be in Grade 11 or less and have potential to someday participate in Canada's national team program.
Rachelle was named to camp ending All Star game of to 20 girls in camp! Way to go Rachelle!!
Six JC Rockets named to Nova Scotia 15 Under Provincial Squad
Justin Colley, Rachelle Coward, Stephanie Hiltz, Sondra Medley, Stephanie Murphy and Sylanda Saunders were all named this week to the squad that will represent the Nova Scotia at the Nationals in Calgary Alberta.
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| Nova Scotia Midget Champions 2005
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JC Rockets Girls Take It All!!
The Midget Girls finished an oustanding season with a win in the Midget AAA championship tournament this week end. The short-handed Rockets overcame much adversity to win their third championship of the season. The Rockets entered the week-end with Metro scoring leader Justine Colley on the sidelines with a foot injury and survived key forward Sondra Medleys' one game injury (only loss of season) to win two clutch games for the championship.
The girls finished the seasson with only one defeat and three championship banners. The team is the 2005 MBA Juvenile, the Nova Scotia Midget Division 1* and AAA* Champions.
We are so proud!
* Division 1 (Grade 9-10 No Varsity)
* AAA (Grade 9-10 Varsity)
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| Nova Scotia Champions 2005
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Midget Boys Strike Gold!!
The JC Rockets struck Gold again in the Midget divison. The Boys team completed the Division 1 Sweep in 2005.
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| Nova Scotia Bronze and MBA Silver!!
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JC Rocket mini boys finish Third at Provincials
The Mini Boys finished Third at provincials this past week-end. The Midget Boys and Girls are scheduled to compete April 15-17 th. The girls are rumoured to also be competing the following week-end at the AAA level. (high-school players)
Way to Go Rockets!!
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