Page 39 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 90
P. 39
www.sportsenergynews.com Issue #90 July 2020 39
Swish School For Basketball Opens in Cornwall
Being the captain of my team requires
By Casey Leger
being a good listener as well as being
positive and a ‘floor general’.”
“Looking to get your basketball LeGallais, who has also logged
fix? I’d like to introduce myself as the time playing in North Carolina and
creator of Swish School! My name Mount Allison, has been thinking
is Thomas LeGallais and basketball about starting a basketball program in
has been a huge part of my life since Cornwall for some time. “I’ve had the
I was 4 years old,” posts LeGallais on idea of starting basketball training in
Facebook. town for a couple of years now. It was
Thomas LeGallais offers a wealth of something I had to travel to Ottawa for
experience to aspiring Cornwall and growing up, so I figured why can’t I start
area basketball players. it here?” explains this All Canadian and
The 24-year-old is a starting Rookie of the Year.
guard and the captain of his team “Parents or older kids can reach
at St. Francis Xavier University in out to me and book an hour-long
Nova Scotia, where he is coached by training session,” LeGallais says of
Canadian National Head Coach Steve his program. “Due to COVID-19, the
Konchalski. LeGallais is majoring in sessions will be held outside and social
psychology. “I graduate this upcoming distancing will be respected. They can
year, 2021. I just achieved one of my book one-on-one sessions or groups no
major goals this past year - becoming larger than 5. Each session will work
an Academic All-Canadian, with an on basketball basics like ball handling,
over 80% average as a student athlete,” shooting technique, and game related
he says. drills. Working at St. FX youth camps
This coming year, LeGallais hopes to for the past 2 years in Nova Scotia has
lead his team to a national championship. prepared me to work with a variety of
St. FX has an automatic bid as they players at varying skill levels.”
are hosting the championship. “Upon LeGallais is quick to add that the
attending St. Francis my coaches only prerequisite athletes need in order
encouraged me to join the Leadership to sign up for a session is an enthusiasm
Academy. This experience has provided for and a desire to play basketball - no
me with invaluable leadership skills. other experience is required! Photo Submitted
A 2020 Debut for the Glengarry Pipers
Lavigne said over the years he has seen
By Victoria Klassen very talented players retire after their final
year of junior hockey because they did not
he Glengarry Pipers is a new senior A have anywhere to play. Lavigne hopes that
Thockey team debuting in the Eastern the Glengarry Pipers and teams like it will
Ontario Senior Hockey League (EOSHL). give these highly talented players a place
The name “Pipers” was chosen to keep to play.
with the rich Scottish heritage within which One of the games Lavigne is looking
Glengarry is rooted. forward to this season is against the
“After a season with the Cornwall Cornwall Mustangs. He said the first game
Prowlers as an assistant coach and being between the Pipers and the Mustangs will
around the game of hockey for over 20 bring out some great quality hockey.
years, I figured I had the knowledge and The Glengarry Pipers announced that
experience to run my organization,” said their captain for the 2020-2021 season will
Jamie Lavigne, head coach of the Glengarry be Miguel Poissant. Camp dates will be
Pipers. “After several meetings with the announced soon once more facilities begin
league commissioner, Mitch Gagne, and to open.
our team sponsor, MacLeod Spray Foam, “This pandemic has had an impact on
we decided to bid for an expansion team the financial side of things as companies
out of Alexandria and were awarded one are on the fence about sponsoring or having
in April. Since then it has been a time of the extra cash flow to sponsor.” shared
signings and getting ready for the upcoming Lavigne. “As for the players, they are ready
season.” to play and excited for the puck to drop.”
Photo Submitted
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