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Wednesday, December 27, 2006 · Page 12 CRIMINAL DEFENCE LAWYER Why miss work or school for court? Impaired... assaults... threats... traffic tickets Criminal Pardons at a reasonable cost. Sandwich emerges victorious in Red Raider Invitational BY JAY FAWLER SPECIAL TO THE FREE PRESS CHRISTINA SWEET Weekend and evening appointments in Essex 253-0140 Res. 776-8983 Barrister-at-Law Christmas came early this year for the Sandwich Sabres senior boys' basketball team as they defeated the Strathroy Saints in the final game of the Red Raider Invitational Saturday night. Christmas also came early for the Essex Red Raiders. Unfortunately, all they received was a lump of coal. Essex pulled away from the Blenheim Bobcats in the first quarter of their first round game and never looked back. The Raiders found themselves leading by eleven at half time and increased that lead to 23 after three quarters. Senior guard Dane Robinson came off the bench with stellar defense and his playmaking ability on offense allowed Essex to steamroll the Bobcats 68-51. The Raiders were tested by L'Essor in their second round game and it proved to be too much. The Raiders were without their starting guard Kevin Ellsworth and his absence did not go without notice. Essex jumped out to an early five-point lead after the first quarter thanks to strong play by Andrew Taba and Matt Balkwill. But the lead Essex had at half time was not permanent. L'Essor grew stronger as the game progressed and was able to take the lead at the end of the third quarter. Essex was no match for the zone defense of L'Essor and were eventually defeated 60-52. The Raiders went into their third round game against the Holy Names Knights already aware that a finals berth was almost impossible. Essex trailed early and often in the first half but were able to pull away from the Knights in the second half and would go on to defeat Holy Names 57-53. In a meaningless fourth round game against the General Amherst Bulldogs, both teams allowed their starting lineups to rest. The Bulldogs bench proved that they could play just as well as the starters and defeated the Raiders 59-43. The finals of the Red Raider Invitational did not include the host team. However, the Strathroy Saints and the Sandwich Sabres were still extremely good basketball teams and both teams deserved to play in the finals. Sandwich pulled away early but a late rally by Strathroy, capped off by a buzzer-beating three-point shot cut the Sabres lead to only one at half time. Strathroy could not keep up with Sandwich's fast-paced tempo and their bench could not keep them within reach of the Sabres. defeated Sandwich Strathroy 86-60 to win the Red Raider Invitational in convincing fashion. Red Raider guard Mark Plante attempts a contested three-point shot in the third quarter of the Raiders' game against General Amherst. The Bulldogs would go on to defeat the Red Raiders 59-43 in the fourth round of the Red Raider Invitational. From Everyone at napp Ford! Ken K 390 TALBOT ST. N. ESSEX www.kenknappford.com 519-776-6447