Atkinson out for season

Boise State without Catholic Central grad after knee injury

Boise State nose tackle Mike Atkinson of Windsor will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.

The Catholic Central grad tore an ACL in Saturday’s 21-19 loss at home against San Diego State.

Atkinson’s 37 tackles ranked sixth on the team and he had two forced fumbles and one interception return for a touchdown, the only score in Boise State’s 7-6 win over BYU back in September.

“I still think we’ve got a good core of defensive lineman,” Broncos coach Chris Petersen said.

“You lose a guy for the season whenever it is, that’s hard.

“He’s a good tough, true nose tackle, and those guys are hard to find.”

Ricky Tjong- A- Tjoe, who has played extensively at tackle this season, is projected to take over at nose tackle, while Darrin Koontz will move into the void at tackle when Boise State (7-2) plays at Hawaii Saturday.

The setback is just the latest blow for a defence already hobbled by medical and disciplinary problems.

Starting safety Lee Hightower will miss a third straight game for violating team rules.

Defensive tackle Greg Grimes and nickel Dextrell Simmons are questionable.

The loss against San Diego State marked the second year in a row that a November loss at home cost Boise State its lock on the conference title and shot in a BCS game.

Boise State had a 71-1 record in Bronco Stadium dating back to Sept. 22, 2001.

“We don’t lose too much around here,” senior receiver Chris Potter said.

Saints runners

The St. Clair Saints will have a pair of runners competing in Saturday’s Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association cross-country championships.

A total of 290 athletes from 40 schools will compete at the CCAA championships, which will be held at Parc MichelChartrand in Longueuil, Que.

Battling illness, Andrew DeGroot earned a silver medal at the OCAA men’s eight-km race in Sault Ste. Marie and is hoping to contend for a medal at the national level.

Riverside high school grad Kodi Morgan was ninth in the women’s five-km race at the OCAA championships and is hoping for a top 14 finish, which would earn her all-Canadian honours.

The men’s race goes at 12:30 p.m. with the women to follow at 1:30 p.m.

OCAA basketball

The women’s basketball team at St. Clair College (1-1) will host Lambton College tonight in OCAA action at 6 p.m.

The Saints are coming off a 68-17 victory against Sault College Sunday.

Kendyl Rizea had 20 points

NICK BRANCACCIO/The Windsor Star Walkerville’s Lucas Palmer, left, sets in front of his brother Liam Palmer in WECSSAA volleyball playoff action against Catholic Central Tuesday at Walkerville. The Tartans won 3-0. for St. Clair.

The men’s team (1-1) will face Lambton College at 8 p.m.

The Saints edged Sault College 73-71 Sunday.

Alex Temesy had 16 points.

WECSSAA AAA

Riverside and Villanova will meet in the WECSSAA AAA senior girls basketball final Thursday hosted by the Wildcats at 6 p.m.

Teodora Glisic scored 18 points to lead the Rebels over Belle River 66-36 in semifinal action Tuesday.

The Rebels were fuelled by 21-5 scoring run in the third quarter.

Riverside’s Bailey Penney had 16 points and Olivia Belliveau added 12 points.

Belle River was led by Myah Robillard who had 17 points.

Andie Suthers added 11 for the Nobles, who still advance to the OFSAA girls basketball championship despite the loss.

In other semifinal action Tuesday, Kassady Cheswick scored 14 points in the Wildcats’ 40-22 win over St. Joseph.

Shannon Kennedy scored 10 points for the Lasers.

WECSSAA A

Ste. Cecile will play Lajeunesse Thursday at 4 p.m. for the WECSSAA A senior girls basketball title.

Lisa Hamilton scored 14 points in Ste. Cecile’s 32-9 win over Maranatha in Tuesday’s semifinal.

Megan Annisette added eight points for the Spirit and Lauren Van Niejeuhois scored seven for the Panthers.

In Tuesday’s other semifinal, The Royals advanced after beating Harrow 77-9.

McKenzie Kearns led with 18 points and Sara Bondy had 12 points.

Badminton clinic

Lakeshore Discovery is hosting a free badminton clinic for students in Grade 5 to 10 Thursday.

Lakeshore will host the event, organized by Jesse Maytham, from 8:30 to 9:50 p.m.

Maytham has recently started up several local junior badminton clubs and the free clinics are a way to see what the clubs are all about.