CORY'S COUGARS HAVE LOCAL CONNECTION

Thomas Cory is a Sault born and bred basketball player. A high school star at Bawating, he went on to play at Durham College in Oshawa, helping the Lords to an Ontario Colleges Athletic Association championship. From Durham, he returned home to play at Sault College before embarking on a pro career in Portugal. Now he's back home as the new head coach of the men's basketball team at Sault College and he's busy prepping for his first season. "It's been busy what with talking to the returning players and recruiting new ones," Cory told SooToday.com. "I want to try to build on last season." The 2001-02 campaign was a good one for the Sault College men, who made it all the way to the OCAA championship tournament under the direction of head coach Donny Muto, Cory's predecessor. Muto, intent on furthering his own education in the hopes of becoming a teacher, has since passed the reigns off to Cory. With Muto's help, Cory has recruited a number of out-of-town players but the Sault College line-up will feature at least six locals come the fall including returnees Robbie Green, Chris Muncaster and Tim Walker as well as newcomers Jason Giosa, Ron Kelly and Jeff Rennison. "The aim is to be successful but it's always good to have as many good local players as possible," reasoned Cory.