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Continued from page 30 who the core group of the team "We‘re a lot further ahead than we were last year so that‘s been a big help." e What‘s also been a big help was the Kodiaks being able to secure the draft rights of the Kitchenerâ€"Waterloo Braves who graduated last year. They now have a bumper crop of impact players joining the team includâ€" ing Ryan Benesch, who was the National Lacrosse League‘s Rookie of the Year with the Toronto Rock. "Ryan playing with us every game instead of just the playoffs will be another big step forward," said Hummel. "Throw in these young guys with athletic ability and it adds a whole new dimenâ€" sion to us." Benesch had a strong showâ€" ing for the Kodiaks in a brief playoff callâ€"up, and is one of the players expected to carry the Bruins offence this season. Benesch will be joined by other Braves grads like Eric Marâ€" tin. Diving into that local talent pool has been one of the Kodiaks key approaches since they were in senior lacrosse. "There‘s more commitment to a team and desire to be sucâ€" cessful when you‘re playing closâ€" ert to home," said Hummel. "There‘s a lot of skill at this level, and I think it takes more than Kodiaks helped by local talent M Manulife Financial «â€"â€"â€" #â€"«â€"â€" THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS Register online as a volunteer, individual, family or corporate team at manulife.ca/bikeandhike } For more information: Call â€" 88 HEART or Email â€" bike&hikeforheart@manulife.com expectations for this year‘s Kodiâ€" aks? The opinions are mixed because they still are a relatively young team. Plus, defending MLS and Mann Cup champs Peterborâ€" ough are building for another title run. And team‘ like Brooklin just skill to win, you have to have that desire and dedication." MHO SFAOUILS IICIPSESE "We‘re quickly getâ€" ting to the point where we‘re as skilled as anybody in the league..." So does that bring any added Kâ€"W Kodiaks head coach â€" Greg Hummel wraiDoGmiomas OR | Th _ "Fers" Walitco have stacked their lineups to do their best to unseat the defendâ€" ing champs. The Kodiaks aren‘t quite there yet, but the plan is to be in the mix over the next couâ€" ple of years, "I think a lot of the guys have high expectations, but I like to be a realist," said Hummel. "We should definitely win more games and we can improve on our record." The Kodiaks will get a test of that commitment to outworking their opponents right out of the gate as they face the defending champs in Peterborough tomarâ€" row night before returning home to play Barrie Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Waterioo Memorial Recreâ€" ation Complex. That doesn‘t mean Hummel is expecting anything less than the playoffs again for the Kodiâ€" aks. He just thinks his team will be in the middle of the pack and steadily improving as they chalâ€" lenge the league powers in the postâ€"season. "I won‘t set high goals at this point, but as long as we continue to get better we can compete with anybody in this league," said Hummel. "We‘re quickly getting to the point where we‘re as skilled as anybody in the league, now we will have to outâ€" work them every time." â€" "There‘s never going to be an easy game here," said Hummel. "We keep telling the guys they have to come to play." (B Manutife Bank [Registered trademarks of Boston Pizza Royalties Limited Parinership, used under license. © Boston Pizza intenational inc. 2005 The Waterloo Chronicle Team of the Week is the Waterloo Wildhawks bantam boys basketball team. The Wildhawks capped off an excellent season by recentâ€" ly capturing the bronze medal at the Ontario Basketball Association champtâ€" onships held in Toronto. in preliminary pool play, the Wildhawks opened with a 5§3â€"47 victory over Windsor Core City and a 5446 win over the North Toronto Huskies before dropping a hardâ€"fought 47â€"43 decision to Toronto 5â€"0. With their 2â€"1 record, the Wildhawks qualified for 597 King St. N., Waterioo 519â€"880â€"1828 190 Gateway Park Dr., Kitchener 519â€"650â€"2733 RESTAURANT & SPORTS BAR "Watch The Game Here" BOstItOn P1I7ZZA2A2 * Canadian Lnen & Uniform Sernce + Stmey TV * Aingeman Pare + 2s iC onednga Muth * Specel Hearh /+ Easwond Pucing * XW Chen Clb * The Mome Devor * Stonce Group of Comparees * Aogens Wiriew * Canadian College of Massage and sartvotheragy presented by WATERLOO CHRONICLE + Wednesday, May 23, 2007 * 33 the playoffs on Saturday night where they defeated St. Catharine‘s 54â€"47. In the Sunday morning semifinals, the Wildâ€" hawks once again succumbed to Toronto 5â€"0, this time by a score of 53â€"49 in overâ€" time, After a short break, the boys were back on the court for the bronzeâ€"medal game where they staged a furious second half rally to defeat Sarnia Valhalla 34â€"29. Poift Guard Javon Masters was selected as the recipient of the Toronto Raptors Fair Play award for his outstanding play throughout the weekend. in support of: