The Toronto Star from Toronto, Ontario, Canada • 120

Eito Thursday, March 14, 1991'' THE TORONTO STAR Scarborough's OFSAA hockey hopes rest on Leacock By Sam Laskaris The Leacock Lions have proved they're the Number 1 senior boys hockey squad in Scarborough this season. Now the club gets a chance to see how it stacks up against other high school champs from across the province. Seventeen teams will compete in the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations tournament that starts Wednesday and ends March 23 in London, Ont. The team from Stephen Leacock Collegiate boasts an over-all record of 33-11-3. "We've got a shot at a medal if we play like we did in the (league) says coach George House.

"We really came together in the playoffs." At the end of regular play, the Lions stood second in the city at 15-3. Leacock's first opponents in city playoffs were the Blue Devils from Sir Wilfrid Laurier Collegiate. That best-of-three series went the distance before the Lions prevailed.Leacock then swept Scarborough's 1990 champs, the Mo-Dogs from Sir Oliver Mowat Collegiate, two straight in the best-of-three final. The Mo-Dogs had defeated the Lions twice in three regular season games. As defending titleholders, they were favored to win the city crown again.

Right winger David Burley, one of eight returnees with the Lions this year, says sweeping the MoDogs was a great morale booster. "It was an emotional high. I think we can carry it onto OFSAA and win a medal." The Lions' chances for a medal look considerably better than they did a couple of weeks ago. Some teams considered to be legitimate threats for the provincial crown won't even get a crack at it. Powers such as the Torontobased York Memorial Mustangs and Henry Carr Crusaders and Oshawa's Eastdale Eagles all were upset in their league playoffs.

This means no club will be head and shoulders over the others at the provincial championship. "Everyone is on a pretty even par," Burley says. "Any team can go down there and work hard and come away with a medal." The Lions might be one of those teams if their top centre and captain Daryl Coles continues his torrid scoring streak. He's averaged more than three points per outing this season. In 18 regular season games, Coles collected 68 points.

He added 16 points in the five play1-off SPORTS Tracy says being best isn't good enough By Keith Bolender Scarborough's Paul Tracy appreciates being named this year's Canadian Racing Drivers Association (CRDA) driver of the year. But he'd appreciate some sponsorship even more. Tracy, 22, is turning into a major force on the car racing scene. The quiet, articulate young man dominated the American Racing Series (ARS) last year, winning nine of 14 races. That, along with his steady climb in the sport over the past three years, convinced the CRDA officials to present him the annual honor.

First in series But despite his successes and future potential, Tracy has become increasingly frustrated with his inability to attract any sort of sponsorship. "I've been trying to get some sponsorship the past little while, but nothing has happened yet. It's hard to understand, I'm really disappointed," Tracy says. He is hoping to make his debut this season in the Indy-car series in an unsponsored Lola-Cosworth. The first race of the series, a major step up from what he was doing last year, takes place at Long Beach, Calif.

on April 14. And although he'd much prefer to go down there with some sponsorship backing, "It doesn't look too hopeful now. I may have to race a few times, get some good results, and then try again for the Doing it that way will cost him most of his life savings: "But what can I do? I want to get into the Indy car series and I know I can do well there," he says. He's at a complete loss to explain why his outstanding record hasn't attracted any attention. He admits, however, he's not the only one in that situation.

"There are a number of other great drivers who are not getting sponsorship. The major sponsors seem to be concentrating on fewer and fewer people. I don't know if it's the economy or what, but it's been very difficult." As an ARS champion, Tracy is certainly not alone in his failure to attract sponsors. The past five series winners are not even driving because they can't get anyone to help pay the bills. Tracy says if he can't get anywhere in the Indy series, he may go back to driving a few ARS events.

"I don't want to do that because it would feel like a step back. But I just don't know what's going to happen over the next few months. I may not have any Despite his financial frustrations, Tracy is thrilled with his driver of the year award. He was presented with it at the CRDA's annual banquet two weeks ago in Toronto. Good season A BERNARD STAR DRIVER OF THE YEAR: Paul Tracy of Scarborough can win races but not a sponsorship.

Pickering 100 short of expected number Official registrations for the Pickering Soccer Club are over, but it wants another 100 players. League president Bill Ellison says that many are needed to meet the club goal of 1,600. "The sooner we can get them the better, because the new season isn't too far off." Regular league play begins in mid-May. Divisions most in need of players are those for boys under 16 and young women under 21 and 18. "For some reason this year we haven't had much luck attracting the older girls.

Usually we have more than we need, but this -time. It does mean a lot to me; it's a terrific honor. It was a good season for me, not only winning this, but as well as winning the Commonwealth Driver of the Year. CRDA president Sid Mandell says Tracy is a worthy champion. "'He's an outstanding young talent who had a remarkable year in the American Racing Series.

It was a close decision, but Paul deserves this the Tracy beat two other nominees, including fellow Scarborough driver Scott Goodyear. Goodyear is also expected to be driving in the CART Indy series, returning in the Mackenzie Finanical Lola-Judd. Ontario ringette finals in Scarborough Sunday The club plans to field 105 teams in various age divisions, including 10 rep teams for boys and two for girls. Registration costs range from $60 to $65. Every house league player gets a uniform, an individual and team photo, free hot dogs and drinks at two club barbecues, a participant trophy and a club-designed soccer ball.

The future for soccer looks strong in Pickering, Ellison says. "'We have a huge base of the younger kids, more than 800 players under age 8 and that's important." To register, call 831-9803. K.B By Keith Bolender Some of the best ringette in the world will be on display in Scarborough this week. The Ontario championships start today at various locations in Scarborough. Titles will be awarded in a range of age divisions, with all finals on Sunday.

Meet spokesperson Gerald Lamoureux says the meet is attracting a number of good teams. "Canada is the best in the world at the sport, and Ontario teams are the best in Canada. Many of the clubs coming to this meet are the best you'll see anywhere." The tournament is at Scarborough Village arenas and the Malvern Recreation Complex. All fi-be- held at Malvern: Medal games will start at 8 a.m. Sunday.

Approximately 32 teams will be attending the tournament. Divisional titles that will be challenged include the petites (ages 10 and under), tweens (11 to 13), juniors (13 and 14), bells (15 to 17) and debs. (18 and over). Lamoureux says Scarborough should do well in a number of divisions. "Both debs and bells have a really good chance at winning championships.

Last year the bell team won the nationals, and it's basically the same lineup. So we're looking for some good things from the teams." Admission to the tournament is $3 a day or $10 for the weekend..