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And with such a high level of competition, the unknowns from Canada never dreamed they‘d even have a sniff at the top spot in either tournament, said Wildhawks coach Aaron Tomlin following the Washington win. But there was a theme this year in comâ€" mon with the team‘s past experiences in D.C., Tomlin said. "We always have to earn their respect," he said. The tournament featured top teams from around the eastern United States, including the D.C. Assault, which was the training ground for potential top NBA draft pick Michael Beasley. The Hawks never imagined they would even be in the running as victors of an Amerâ€" ican tournament. Then, this past weekend, they did it again. The Hawks travelled to Fort Wayne, Ind., and won the Annual Bill Hensley Memorial Run ‘N Slam Allâ€"Star Classic. "We definitely weren‘t favoured," Tomlin said. "People always ask us where we‘re from and when we tell them Canada, it‘s always a shock." Hawks shooting guard Bryson Johnson has played at the tournament before, and he figured that the Hawks would finish someâ€" where in the middle like they usually do. "We never came too close to winning the tournament before," he said. e underâ€"19 Waterloo Wildhawks basâ€" I ketball team became the first Canadian squad to win a prestigious American tournament last week. The U19 Wildhawks took a surprising vicâ€" tory at the Charlie Weber Basketball Capital Invitation Tournament held at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., last month. Registered trademarks of Boston Pizza Royalties Limited Partnership, used under license Wildhawks running wild at U.S. tournaments TEAM OF THE WEEK The Waterloo Chronicle Team of the Week is the Waterloo Minor Hockey novice recreation league Roberts Group team. They won the annual Christmas Tournament in December and were the novice A rec champions for 2008. They went on to represent Waterloo in Brantâ€" ford for the Alliance championship and finished fifth. Members of the Roberts Group team, pictured 597 King St. N., Waterlioo 519â€"880â€"1828 By Grec MacDonain Chronicle Staff presented by above, are: (back row, from left) coaches Paul Danbrook, Steve Macâ€" Dougall, Ian McLearon, (third row) Jack Hardie, Reza Rouhollahi, Brett MacDougall, Brandon Goertz, (secâ€" ond row) Maxwell Wolfe, Georgio Ioannou, Reese Askin, Reid Danâ€" brook, Michael Shaw, Cameron Haas (front row) Tanner Macintyre, Jimmy Schultz, Brett McLearon and Austin McKenna. It was a suffocating team defence that gave the Wildhawks the edge they needed to take such a lead, he added. And earn it they did. Despite facing generâ€" â€" Tomlin said. The other key is the team‘s ally stronger competition than they do at â€" depth, he added. home, Tomlin and his players found that "We have 10 players and all 10 can play. their teamâ€"oriented game stood in stark conâ€" _ There‘s no drop off when you go to the trast to the Americans‘ meâ€"first attitude. bench," he said. "We had a couple of close games, but whenever you get up on a team by 10 points, they just give in," Tomlin said. "Just to make it to the medal round was exciting, to win is pretty sick," the 17â€"yearâ€"old St. David secondary school student said. "Our offence is the result of our defence," the coach said. "Our guys are unbelievable at the defenâ€" sive end and guys get after it." This tenacity has led the team to the success it has had so far, The team was in disbelief when they won the final game, Johnson said. The Waterloo Wildhawks underâ€"19 team celebrates its latest tournament title Boston Pizza International Inc. 2005 PORI Tomlin is hoping that the team‘s depth will give them a competitive edge in the provincial championships later this month. _ The coach is optimistic about the Wildâ€" hawks‘ chances at the provincials and thinks SUBMITTED PHOTO Since the team won an AAU tournament, they automatically qualify for the national championships in the United States. Right now the Hawks are concentrating on readying themselves for the provincial championships, but Tomlin, Johnson and the team are eagerly looking forward to the American national tournament. onships, visit www.wildhawk.ca. WATERLOO CHRONICLE + Wednesday, May 7, 2008 + 29 "We feel good about that championship. The Washington tournament really helped our confidence," Tomlin said. A Wildhawks team in this age group has never won the provincials before, but Tomâ€" lin‘s team has the experience of beating expectations. Details are still murky, but if this is the case, it will be a huge stage for the team to play on. For more information about the team and their potential trip to the U.S. champiâ€" the international win will certainly give the team some momentum. "It‘s not the winning that will give us momentum. It‘s about doing something that‘s never been done before," he said. The team might set another Wildhawk milestone.