Chatham-Kent Sports Year In Review: February

The Sochi Olympics stole much of the headlines in February 2014, but Chatham-Kent had a number of major stories on the go as well. At CKSN, we named our first ever athlete of the month, voted on by our readers, an award we’ve kept running throughout 2014. As well, with the winter high school season ending, several area schools captured championships.

• Dave Allin Classic A Success: The first annual Dave Allin Classic basketball tournament was not only a success for the players on the court, but for ALS. The event raised $21,000 for the ALS Foundation.
• Flames Silver At Provincials: The Chatham Christian Flames opened up the 2014 provincial high school schedule, winning silver at the senior girls All Ontario Christian Girls Volleyball tournament.
• Sochi Olympic Games: It might not have been 100% local, but when the Sochi Olympics kicked off, we added the international event to our coverage.
• Katreena Whiteye Named CKSN Athlete of the Month: We kicked off the first of our regular athlete of the month honours, voted on by our readers. Hockey player Katreena Whiteye, who played for the Bluewater Hawks and UCC Lancers took this months honours.
• Marlatt Wins Great Lakes Honour: Chatham’s Drew Marlatt, a 16-year-old rookie with the Blenheim Blades, was named the Great Lakes Junior C player of the month.
• Fox Sets Goal Scoring Record: Dane Fox scored his 54th goal of the OHL season, which broke the Erie Otters all-time team single season record.
• Balkwill Signs Pro Contract: Although he’d never play a game for the Sonoma Stompers, switching teams before the season began, Chatham’s Larry Balkwill took a large career step signing his first professional baseball contract.
• Ridgetown and Blenheim Hockey organizations amalgamate: It came with mixed reviews at the time, but Blenheim an Ridgetown’s minor hockey organizations made a wise move, amalgamating to protect local minor hockey in the area.
• Lancers Win Kent Title: The UCC Lancers, led by future OUA basketball player Luke Allin, won the Kent boys basketball title, defeating the CKSS Golden Hawks. The Lancers also won a senior girls volleyball Kent title in a busy week of high school finals.
• Lambton-Kent Cardinals Win Boys hockey: The Lambton-Kent (Dresden) Cardinals upset the favourited CKSS Golden Hawks to win the Kent hockey title. In girls hockey, the UCC Lancers continued the championship laden month winning the Kent crown.
• Meghan Agosta Wins Olympic Gold: A former Chatham Outlaws and Chatham-Kent Cyclones star, Meghan Agosta helped Team Canada win women’s hockey Olympic gold.
• Cook Brothers To Play Pro Baseball: Justin and Matt Cook of Dresden signed matching pro baseball contracts with the Pecos League’s White Sands PupFish.
• JMSS Panthers Win First Curling title: The John McGregor Panthers won their schools first ever curling title, as the team of Gavin Bradley, Joel Guerin, Oliver Campbell, Cameron Moore, and Josh Redding won the Kent boys title.
• The passing of Jason White: Former Wallaceburg Lakers and WDSS Tartans athlete Jason White tragically passed away as part of a 30 car pile up on the 402.