NCAA GOPHERS SWEEP VIKES

By Mike Tucker

The Minnesota Golden Gophers, who have made two straight NCAA tournament appearances under Tubby Smith, completed their sweep over Canadian competition with a 101-67 victory Sunday over the UVic Vikes men’s basketball team.

Former Canadian Junior National team member Devoe Joseph led the Gophers in scoring for a third straight game, providing 19 points on 7-11 shooting. The native of Pickering, Ont. hit four three-pointers in the second half, and Minnesota shot 60 percent from the field to blow open their lead.

“We couldn’t guard their motion offence in the first half. We were really having a lot of problems. Five different guys hit three pointers against us and we actually had to go to the zone to curtail some that,” said Smith who won a national title with Kentucky in 1998.

It was a strong opening stanza for the Vikes, who playing off the energy of a near-capacity 1,800 crowd at McKinnon Gym, stunned the Gophers with a nine-point lead in the first. It was the first time Minnesota trailed at any point in their three-game tour, which also included wins over UBC (80-62) and Trinity Western (80-68).

Senior guard Ryan MacKinnon sparked the first half performance, scoring 11 of his 12 points on the game. Jeff Cullen finished with the Vikes scoring high, netting 13 points on 5-10 shooting. The Vikes made 36.2 percent of their shots from the field, and finished with 10 three-pointers including a pair from rookie Ted Neilson.

Gophers’ leading returning scorer from last year, Blake Hoffarber, was good for 19 points, including 5-10 from long range. Projected NBA Draft lottery pick Rodney Williams scored 12 points, and added a pair of YouTube-worthy dunks in the second quarter, the later of which gave Minnesota their first lead of the game at 4:54.

With eight weeks to go before playing a meaningful game, Vikes head coach Craig Beaucamp used the match as an opportunity to exercise the new offence and get a look at some of his new talent. “We competed hard and did a reasonable job of running our new Princeton offence. This was a trial by fire for us, evaluating players and not too focused on results.”

NOTES: UVic’s last victory against an NCAA opponent came on Sept. 4, 2007, with a 73-61 victory over UC-Santa Barbara… Canada West conference play begins Oct. 22 with the Vikes hosting Calgary… Minnesota’s season resumes Nov. 17 when they host Wofford, with Big Ten play not beginning until Dec. 28 at Wisconsin. – govikesgo.com

VIKES VS. MINNESOTA

By Mike Tucker

On Labour Day weekend, the McKinnon Gym faithful will get an early look at the home team, and a preview of NBA hopefuls when the UVic Vikes men’s basketball team hosts the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

GAME INFORMATION
Sun. Sept. 5 vs. Minnesota (McKinnon Gym) – 3pm
Game broadcast, presented by Best Buy: govikesgo.com/broadcast

VIDEO PREVIEW: www.youtube.com/uvicvikes

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
This is the sixth NCAA opponent that UVic has hosted since U.S. teams began making Labour Day pilgrimages north of the border in 2003. Minnesota plays in the Big Ten, is coming off two NCAA tournament appearances, and might just be the best team to play on the Island. However, the Vikes have knocked off two NCAA opponents and in 2008 held check with Marquette before slipping late in the second half.

SCOUTING THE VIKES
The Labour Day test is an early look for coach Craig Beaucamp, who welcomes a bevy of new faces to the fold for 2010-11. Incoming Oxnard (California) transfer Craig Lee is a relative unknown with plenty of athleticism, and the Vikes have eagerly awaited the opportunity for 6-foot-8 Adam Connolly to dress. True freshmen Reese Pribilisky of Oak Bay, Ted Neilson of Dover Bay and Chris McLaughlin of Oakville will also make their UVic debuts. Alberta transfer and Victoria native Eric Casey makes his homecoming with three years of eligibility in tact.

SCOUTING THE GOPHERS
Head coach Tubby Smith has led the Gophers to consecutive 20-plus win seasons, and comes to Victoria on the tail-end of a three-game Northwest tour. Minnesota’s roster features a pair of former Canadian Junior members in Devoe Joseph and the 6-foot-10 Mo Walker, who is ranked as the ninth-best center in the class of 2010 by ESPN. But the player to watch is 6-foot-7 swingman Rodney Williams who is a projected NBA lottery pick in 2011. — govikesgo.com

SPORTING LEGENDS CELEBRATE ISLAND SPORTING ACHIEVEMENTS

By Sean Convy

(ISN) — Some of the biggest names of Victoria and Vancouver Islands sporting legends met in Victoria to honour members of the Burrows family who have been the architects or instrumental in the start of many a sporting career.

As the sun beat down into the large oceanside auditorium last month smiling faces and old sporting friends and foes gathered for this celebration of their sporting careers.

Some neat memorabilia was on display including the June 20th 1957 Centennial Edition of the Daily Colonist, The Hockey Pictorial and Canadian Weekly magazines, one of which featured a run down on the 1964-65 season that featured Vezina Trophy Winner ‘Charlie Hodge’ on the cover and was priced at 35 cents. Several hockey sticks and basketball equipment and a dark green Oak Bay vest decorated many tables.

Our invitation was organized through Gord Hoshal and Earl Large who both featured in past sporting finals for basketball teams including Oak Bay and DataTech, and a warm thank you goes out to those guys.

The stage was set for an evening entertainment and to take centre stage was long-time BCTV sports broadcaster John McKeachie, who was joined by Rick Mark (baseball and basketball) and Gord Hoshal (basketball)

Hoshal, played great level basketball here in Victoria, and has remained an avid fan of the sport spending some time coaching. His memories of the Burrows family remain to this day, as you can see from the video clip (http://vimeo.com/14285192).

He talked about how it was great to meet old friends and foes from games gone by. I asked him how he thought that the face of sport had changed since his day and he reminded me that it’s now a lot more about the money in sports.

It was delightful to see the banter exchanged on the stage between Dave Cutler and Geoff Courtnall.

Cutler (Edmonton Eskimos – considered one of the greatest placekickers of all time Hall of Fame player six Grey Cup wins between 1975 and 1982) recalls how the Burrows used to take them to hockey practice when they were kids, also receiving good sound advice of always to make it you just gotta work harder and talk less! (Hard task for Cutler).

Dave also was the first recipient of a football scholarship from Simon Fraser and was actually drafted by the Green Bay Packers.

One of the funniest comments of the evening was made by Cutler, who was explaining to McKeachie that a very good friend of his, Alex Robertson, had called to explain that he couldn’t attend the function that night because he had just got a brand new house, and they were going to take the wheels off it that night.

Gerry Lister said the Burrows family has to be one of the top 10 families in Canada when it comes to dedication to sport, and contribution, and noted that it was Bob Burrows who was instrumental in him being selected to play baseball.

Bob Burrows (turned down a draft with the Seattle Sonics to play baseball with Kansas City and played for Team Canada in the 1967 Pan-Am games)

Geoff Courtnall (Vancouver Canucks) talked a little about how much of an honour it was to be a part of the Canucks and the games 5, 6 and 7 in the 94′ cup run.

I had a chance to meet Geoff after the speeches were over and told him how I was watching game 7 over in The Maple Leaf Bar in London, England, and what the heck went wrong and why didn’t he score the winner and bring us home the cup?

Geoff simply smiled and showed me that big smile and answered, “Speak to Linden”

Players from days gone aired many sporting stories while enjoying this wonderful event.

The finale for the evening was the presentation by Robbie Parvis to Don Burrows with his induction into the Oak Bay Hall of Fame for Sports.

We heard many heartfelt stories throughout the evening about how Don and his brother Bob have contributed to sports for this city.

In fact Gord Hoshal summed it up when he said that the Burrows have been sports for Victoria over the last 40-50 years. With the greatest amount of humility Don walked forward to accept his award, and it was noticeable as we looked around the room how much this award meant to many people present that night.

Don, you are a shining example of everything that is great about sports in this great city, you have taught and helped so many people enjoy sports and life and truly deserve every accolade that is bestowed upon you.

TEXAS RAIDERS END TOUR 4-0 IN NANAIMO

By Brent Dunlop

(ISN) — The Texas Tech Lady Raiders treated Nanaimo to some NCAA Div 1 women’s basketball on the weekend and easily outscored the Vancouver Island University Mariners 100-34 in an international basketball exhibition.

The touring team closed out a four-game trip by beating the Mariners women. Earlier they defeated UBC, UFV and the Vancouver Selects.

While in BC the team made the most of it visiting Whistler, Vancouver Aquarium, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Whale Watching and the Royal BC Museum inVictoria.

FIRST ANNUAL ISLAND SUMMER GAMES

(ISN) — Island Summer Games is a fun new two-day sporting and social event in Colwood bringing the playfields of three different sports together.

The games feature competition in basketball, soccer and volleyball; combining the 11th Annual Harbour City 3-on-3 tournament with the added elements of soccer and volleyball.

This weekend is more than just a game, donations will be collected throughout the weekend to help support the Goldstream Food Bank! A collection of non-perishable food items, new toys and Canadian Tire money will take place alongside the games.

WHEN: Saturday, August 28 – Sunday, August 29, 2010

More details to follow.

Visit www.islandsummergames.com

BRODY TAYLOR — ATHLETE OF THE MONTH

Every month ISN’s  Nanaimo correspondent Tali Campbell will feature an athlete who is 18 or under. 

By Tali Campbell

 

 

 

(ISN) — Brody Taylor is one of the youngest out of the bunch, but does not show that in his football ability.

Brody, who is 14,  plays football and basketball. He is going into his 6th year in football and 4th for basketball.

Brody is an important player on the field, as he is the quarterback and he plays post for basketball.

Two very important places on the field and court, so what does Brody believe his strengths and weakness are?

“ My greatest strengths are my ability to read the field and make good decisions, at the same time while throwing the ball with accuracy and speed!, but I need to improve my running, I need to get faster and I believe I need to take more time in basketball before just throwing the ball.”

It’s anyone’s dream to become a pro at any sport, but according to Brody he has a great desire to become a professional football player, and is willing to do anything to become one…

Brody is working his butt off by practising five days a week, and putting 110% effort into it, and what makes him better and motivates him, is when people tell Brody that he sucks, and he is not good enough to become pro, which makes him want to prove them wrong but at the same time he loves to hear motivation from his coach and teammates!

 

 

 

 

 

Why football though?

“ I picked football because my older brother played it and I started watching it and I decided I wanted to play football and it naturally came to me. Basketball, I started because it was offered at school and it was another sport to make me a better athlete!”

Who do you remind Tali of?

Brody is a big man, very tall and quite stocky. At the same, time he is not the fastest so for the football he reminds me of  Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Big Ben as they call him, is a smart, strong stock quarterback but at the same time needs to improve his speed like Brody, at weighing in at 241 pounds, and 6 foot 5 he reminds me of Brody.

For basketball, Brody reminds me of  Ray Allen from the Boston Celtics. Ray is a tall, ragging beast, at 6 foot 5 he knows the game, better than anyone in the NBA! – Tali Campbell, 15, is ISN’s Nanaimo correspondent

 

MINNESOTA TO PLAY AT UVIC

By Mike Tucker

The tradition of NCAA opponents playing north of the border will resume in 2010 as the UVic Vikes men’s basketball team welcomes the  Minnesota Golden Gophers for a September exhibition.

Minnesota will play the Vikes as part of a three-game swing through the Pacific Northwest. The Big Ten school will play at UVic’s McKinnon Gym on Sunday, September 5 at 3 p.m.

The Gophers have made back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances under head coach Tubby Smith, who won a national title with Kentucky in 1998 and an Olympic gold medal in 2000. This past year, after a 21-14 regular season, Minnesota lost in the first round versus Xavier.

Minnesota’s lineup features notable Canadian talent on the roster with Pickering’s Devoe Joseph and Scarborough’s Maurice Walker. Both alumni of Canada’s junior national team, Joseph will enter his junior year with the Gophers, while Walker was one of Minnesota’s prized off-season recruits.

Since NCAA teams began making their Canadian Labor Day pilgrimages in 2003-04, the Vikes have hosted exhibition games against the Creighton Blue Jays, Oral Roberts Golden Eagles, Marquette Golden Eagles, UC-Santa Barbara Gauchos, and Pacific Tigers. — govikesgo.com.

AUSTIN RONKAINEN — IN STEVE NASH’S FOOTSTEPS

By Tali Campbell

NANAIMO (ISN) — It is that time of year again, when junior athletes get recognized at their annual school athletic banquets.

Woodlands Secondary School in Nanaimo  held its awards ceremony June 1.

A junior Grade 8 is making his name be heard.

Austin Ronkainen won MVP and Athlete of the year for Grade 8s.

Austin was a force during Woodlands basketball season and a force in his PE class.  
Teammates and spectators say he is truly a dedicated basketball player and won’t be surprised to see him being the next Steve Nash.

Austin is like Steve Nash, not that big of guy only 120 lbs and 5’4 in height, but he is a wrecking ball on the court.

With that said though, we can get many skilled athletes but sports is a team game and his teammates say he is always about team sportsmanship and having fun.

Dalton Burns, a Grade 9 student at Woodlands who observes his play, says he plays like he is 300lbs and 6 feet tall. Dalton also mentioned he is extremely quick; he may be defending one moment then next he is assisting or scoring points down in the offending zone!

Austin admits he was one of the worst basketball players on his Grade 7 basketball team but with practice over the summer, and joining a variety of basketball summer camps made him a star he is today.

Austin’s goal is to at least get a basketball scholarship and possibly make it into the NBA one day.

Austin was not the only person recognized though.

Grade 8 Girl athlete of the year went to Tia Malenica, Junior Boy Erik Van Waes, Junior Girl Ksenia Malenica and Chole Swabey. Senior boy athlete of the year went to Theo Stewart and Mike Skoropad. Senior Girl Emily Van Waes.

Don’t be surprised in 10-15 years from now one of these athletes are representing our country and the Olympics!

AS GOODIS IT GETS

(ISN) — Described as one of the premier point guards in the province, Penticton’s Cassandra Goodis will join the UVic Vikes women’s basketball team in the 2010-11 season.

 

The 5-foot-8 guard was a three-year member of the BC provincial teams, having suited up for the Under-15, 16 and 17 teams. Representing her province on the hardwood, Goodis won a silver medal at the 2009 Canada Summer Games.

Goodis will graduate from Penticton High School, with whom she captained to the finals of the AAA Valley Championship. Goodis was named tournament All-Star at the championships, and later earned the invite to the province’s annual High School All-Star game.

“We’ve been monitoring her progress for some time and she has really improved her shooting and ability to finish,” said Vikes head coach Brian Cheng. “Cassandra is a great passer and we are confident she will be an outstanding CIS point guard.”

Goodis entertained multiple offers to play CIS hoops, but ultimately chose UVic and plans to study psychology.

“I chose to come play at UVic because I wanted to go to a school that was going to be successful and competitive,” said Goodis, “UVic is a place that is going to make me the best player and best person I can be.”

DUKESHIRE, HEBB TO JOIN BASKETBALL BC HALL OF FAME

(ISN) — Two UVic Vikes basketball greats, Luanne Krawetz (nee Hebb) and Kelly Dukeshire, will be inducted into Basketball BC’s Hall of Fame.

The two hard-court legends won a combined seven CIS championship titles while at UVic, and are both UVic Sports Hall of Fame inductees – Hebb was inducted in 2006, Dukeshire in 2009.

The induction ceremony takes place in conjunction with Basketball BC’s annual awards dinner. This year’s event takes place May 1 in Burnaby.

Hebb led the Vikes to three straight CIAU Championships (1980, ’81, ’82). During her career at UVic, the Prince Rupert native averaged 15.3 points and 7.1 rebounds a game.

In 1981 Hebb was named both the CIAU Player of the Year, as well as the CIAU Tournament MVP award. She was also twice named to the CIAU All-Canadian team.

During his university career, Dukeshire averaged 10.2 points-per-game and grab 5.7 rebounds-a-game However, the post from Oak Bay is best remembered for the role his played in leading the Vikings to the 1981-82 CIAU Championship Title.

Playing in front of sold out crowd at Victoria’s Memorial arena, Dukeshire had a tournament to remember, averaging 15.3 points-per-game en route to being named CIAU Tournament MVP.

The Basketball BC Hall of Fame began in 2003 and includes 67 individuals and seven teams. This year’s class includes 11 individuals and two teams.

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