Photo/MIKE MALONEY ORANGEVILLE Major Atom Hawks played some of their best ball this season earning them a silver medal at the OBA Division 6 Provincial Championships this past weekend. The Orangeville Hawks basketball program is one often overlooked in the hype between hockey and lacrosse, but it is one program that continues to grow and improve every year.

For evidence of that, you need to look no further than the Major Atom Hawks.

Placing fourth in their first tournament of the season in Guelph, the Hawks steadily improved over the season winning their next tournament in Collingwood and placing second after that in Midland. But these accomplishment would pale in comparison to the way they wrapped up their best season ever, winning the silver medal at the Ontario Basketball Association Division 6 Provincial Championships held in Ottawa this past weekend.

The team, which has struggled over the past few seasons, had posted a 14-13 record this year which seeded them in seventh place heading into the championship play-downs.

Drawing Brantford CYO in game one on Friday night, Orangeville set the pace early rolling to a 55-42 win.

Saturday morning dawned with possibly their biggest challenge. Taking up position on the opposite side of the court was top ranked Newmarket.

Having met twice in regular season play, the Hawks knew they had their work cut out for them, but they also knew they could defeat this team as well, having edged them 33-31in their last outing together.

Simply put, in the words of coach Tim Murray, "The team played fantastic" to take a 41-35 decision over the heavily favoured Newmarket squad.

After such a hard fought and emotion win, many teams could be expected to come out flat for their next game but not so.

That afternoon, the Hawks battled against Brantford. Riding a wave of enthusiasm, Orangeville continued to build on their success by demolishing the Briers 64-38 and, in the process, won their division and earned themselves a berth in the semi-finals against Ottawa Bedrock.

Most certainly not the crowd favorite in this contest, the Hawks, none the less, had one objective in mind and that was winning. Despite the best efforts of Ottawa and without the vocal crowd behind them, Orangeville again rose to the challenge to post a 44-37 win, advancing them to the final against St Thomas Shock.

Unfortunately for the Hawks, St Thomas was just as determined to win the championship title and the two teams fought tooth and nail right down to the final buzzer. Trailing by just three points with four minutes left to play, the Hawks got into foul trouble which gave the Shock the edge they need to pull away and defeat Orangeville by a final score of 53-45.

After the initial heartbreak of just missing out on gold, the sorrow turned to elation within minutes of having won silver as the team realized the accomplishment they had achieved.

Speaking afterwards, Murray had nothing but praise for his team and their efforts at the provincials. "They played their hearts out. It was three really great days of basketball. As individuals and as a tam, they brought it all together when it mattered the most".

This years Minor Atom Hawks players included Noah Nicol. Paras Lekhi, Hailey MacDonald, Reid Murray, Kyle Bauman, Silas Sales, Blayke Ferguson, Seamus Bolyea, Ben Halyes, Brendon Lyver and Eric Komack.