Ex-Colts Russell and Host taking their games to next level

Don Fennell, Sports Editor

While former Richmond High standout Pasha Bains may be attracting a lot of attention at the national men's basketball team's 10-day regional camp on through Friday at The Basketball Centre, two other ex-Colts are also looking to make positive impressions.

Following in the footsteps of another former Colt, Andrew Mavis, who is currently sidelined by a knee injury are Kyle Russell and Brian Host.

Russell, who red-shirted last season with the UBC Thunderbirds, is friends with several of the national team players and worked out with many of them last summer.

"I'm looking at the 2004 Olympics as a goal," he says. "When I was a kid I always wanted to play for Team Canada and with the program's success lately with Steve (Nash) it's (made me more determined)."

Russell knows there are no guarantees, but continues to play the game the same way he always has: all out. And he hopes his leadership qualities and strong commitment to the team will help his realize his goal.

A better-than-average defender, Russell credits former Richmond High coach Bill Disbrow with helping him adopt a tireless work ethic. Now, he's also working hard to improve his shot.

Basketball may seem like a natural fit the 6-foot-10 Host, but he too has learned it takes more than just talent to get to the next level. Currently playing for UBC, he says he's continuing to learn the game and trying to improve his mental toughness.

"As a high school player nobody is really that tough," he says. "But when you get to the next level you learn there is no resting time. You have to prepare yourself mentally and physically."

The Canadian national team is planning a four-game series against the Japanese men's team next week. The first game is at Terry Fox secondary in Port Coquitlam June 23, followed by a game at Abbotsford's Columbia Bible College on June 25, the University of Victoria June 27 and at UBC on June 28. All games at are 7:30 p.m.

Juggling with success

Breanne Watson adds B.C. hoops to big list of accomplishments

Don Fennell, Sports Editor

British Columbia's under-17 girls' basketball team, announced Sunday, is dominated by players from the Fraser Valley. But the centre of attention is clearly Richmond's Breanne Watson.

Instead of listing a specific position, coaches Norm Bradley and Lisa Nickel used the word "everything" to describe the role Watson is expected to fill. A fitting denouement perhaps, considering the versatility of the gifted Grade 11 athlete.

As talented as she is athletically (she's also one of the top high jumpers in her age group in the province and one of B.C.'s most promising volleyball players), the 6-foot-1 Watson is equally adept in the classroom. Her 3.7 grade point average puts her on the principal's honour roll at Robert McMath secondary.

"It's pretty crazy (juggling it all)," she acknowledges. "Sometimes I wonder how I am going to do this. Every weekend I never seem to have time to sleep in or sometimes don't get to hang out with my friends, but I love doing all the sports. And I still find time to study because it's academics before sports for me."

Despite all the accomplishments and accolades though, Watson maintains a remarkable humbleness.

When one of the other girls at the camp, who Watson thought was a shoo-in to be selected had doubts, she wondered about her own chances of making the team.

"The competition was huge and I thought maybe there was a chance I wouldn't make it," she says. "Everyone was so good and so I was relieved when I learned I'd made it."

Watson says it was probably her athleticism and her competitive spirit that earned her a spot on the 12-member team coached by Kelowna's Norm Bradley and Lisa Nickel.

"Everyone wanted it so bad. At the whole camp no one really knew if they would make it."

Although she's often played power forward or post for McMath, Watson says she expects to become a shooting guard or small forward with the B.C. team. Former Canadian national women's team coach Allison McNeill suggested Watson would probably wind up playing perimeter if she chooses to pursue a university career.

"Everyone is bigger at that level and she suggested I focus more on improving my ball handling and learning to play the wing," says Watson, who received the advice from McNeill while working out a regional training centre.

"I don't think it will be that big of an adjustment," she says. "It's where I want to play."

Between hoops, Watson plans to accompany Air Attack to Davis, California later this month for a major international volleyball tournament and try out for the junior national track and field team in July. She also plans to compete in the Oregon Track City Classic.

Under-16s second in B.C.

Richmond rugby coach pleased with local team's progress

Don Fennell, Sports Editor

Although Richmond was no match for Abbotsford in the B.C. under-16 rugby final Tuesday, coach Al Smith felt pretty good about the progress of his side and the growing enthusiasm for the sport locally.

The 31-0 loss at Thunderbird Stadium may not be much get excited about, but when your opponent has won the majority of its games by 40 or more points it's at least some consolation.

"We were the closest of any team," said Smith, whose Richmond side went into the match, a preliminary to the B.C. versus England senior game, undefeated in eight.

Richmond started strong with the forwards out-rucking their opponents. However, fitness soon determined the outcome as Abbotsford had just come off their school season which included four practises a week. The locals' season ended seven months ago.

Abbotsford opened the scoring on a try 12 minutes in after taking a Richmond scrum. The same scenario applied to Abbotsford's second try and they padded their lead with a converted score just before halftime. Richmond twice nearly broke away for tries themselves in the first half but were tackled by the last defender.

Abbotsford put the game away with two more tries, one of them converted, in the second half but Smith was proud that Richmond never gave up. With 14 of the boys eligible to play another season it was a creditable performance, he said.

Dustin Entwisle had a particularly outstanding game, making numerous tackles and several determined runs with the ball. Other backs showing well included most valuable player Jeff Stead, Tony Lambert, and Brock Nordman, who made many excellent tackles. The forwards were led by Dean Morris, Paul Gaudreault, Mike Livingston and Duncan Wlodarczak.

"They're a good group of kids," Smith said proudly.

Richmond's under-14 selects finished fourth in the province in their age group, furthering optimism in the local rugby camp.

"There have been so many sports Richmond has been successful at it's often been hard to attract athletes," Smith said. "We start recruiting players so much later. Many have played 10 years of soccer or hockey before being introduced to rugby. We're now trying to introduce the players at a younger age."

Smith says one of the attractions to rugby is that it's often one of the few sports they can play with all their friends. Many of the under-16 side's Grade 10 players also play at Cambie secondary, while the majority of Grade 9s are McRoberts students.

"Rather than one guy trying to spread himself too thin, there's now a number of people in different schools promoting the sport," he explained. "I think we just have to keep building on our success because if you have a successful program more people will play."

Smith says some people continue to be cautious about participating in rugby, fearing it is a more violent sport with more injuries than there actually are. He says the reality is these people simply aren't familiar with the sport, and believes as it gets more media coverage these concerns will be alleviated.

BOYS' FASTBALL GAME OF THE WEEK

Deebers, Lee hit homers as Jaguars outscore Cougars

Don Fennell, Sports Editor

Joshua Brookstone struck out the first two batters he faced last Thursday, but then David Leigh, Eric Chiu and Joe Currie stepped up and set the table for a Nathan Debeer home run, sending the Jaguars on their way to a 20-15 Richmond boys' fastball victory.

The Jaguars eventually scored five runs in the first inning off the Cougars' lefty, but not to be outdone Brookstone and his mates equalled the feat in the bottom of the inning.

The game was tied 10-10 after two complete before the Jaguars managed to score another five runs (the maximum in one inning) in the top of the top of the third despite some fine defensive work by Cougars Michael Campbell, Steven Salinas, Doran Santanove, Ryan Webster and Adam Johnson.

Jaguars pitcher Leigh then struck out all three batters he faced in the bottom half of the inning.

Jordan Logan, Brad Latham, Jake Shaw and Sean Feng all contributed hits or runs in the fourth as the Jaguars stretched their lead to 10 runs, but again the Cougars wouldn't say die. Curtis Thornton, Gregory Froese and Alex Spencer came up with big hits and Jeremy Lee added a home run in the final inning.

The play of the game came in the second inning when Jaguar Josh Stiller lined a drive to left field. Cougar Lev Jackson played the hit perfectly but because the ball was hit so hard it knocked his glove off.

The same two teams will meet again this weekend in the final tournament of the season at the R.C. Palmer field. The Richmond mite championship is up for grabs.

Isles runners-up for tournament title

Jessica Newman shines at short

Don Fennell, Sports Editor

The bats came alive when needed, but it was outstanding pitching and fielding that lifted the Richmond Islanders to second place at a recent North Delta girls' softball tournament.

The local '88 rep team's defensive genius was exemplified in a come-from-behind 5-4 victory over the Vancouver Wildcats to decide second place in the round-robin and a bye into the semifinals.

Several fine defensive plays, including a spectacular second inning double play by Marissa Kishi who caught a fly ball in centre field and then rifled it to Carli Alexander on second, assured the game remain scoreless until the fourth inning. The Wildcats opened up a 4-0 lead in the top half of the inning, but the Isles bounced right back in the bottom half to tie it. Alexander led off with a double and Steffani Durrant, Carly Minns and Stephie Thornton followed with more timely hits.

Jessica Newman then made three spectacular plays at shortstop in the fifth to set the stage for Caitlin Kehoe's game-winning two-run RBI in the bottom of the inning.

Richmond edged White Rock Renegades' 87 4-3 in the semifinals, avenging a 3-2 loss in the tournament opener. Islander Jennifer Bourne had a late double to score a run in that game and along with Kelsey Trott and second base Michelle Fong was strong in the semfinal too. Amanda Lade hit a pair of timely sacrifice bunts to score two runs.

The Islander simply ran out of gas in the final losing a more-experienced Delta Heat '87 team.

Pitchers Talbot and Virgina Watson were stellar in 8-7 and 8-2 wins over the PoCo Ravens and Delta Heat '88 respectively.

Roberts rules, again, in return to pool

Kigoo Fraser Roberts win five races as Ice Breaker launches swim season

Don Fennell, Sports Editor

Athletes from as far as Squamish churned up the water, but it was the host Richmond Kigoos who appeared strongest winning their annual Ice Breaker June 3 at Steveston Pool to kick off their 42nd season of summer swimming.

Nearly 700 Lower Mainland athletes participated in the meet, but once again Fraser Roberts was the star of the show. The Kigoos' division four phenom garnered five firsts and a second in six events. He won the 50 and 100 metre freestyles, 50 metre butterfly, the individual medley, 100 metre backstroke, and was second in the 100 metre breaststroke.

Kigoo teammates David Loretto and Ashley Plummer were nearly as impressive. Competing in division three, Loretto won the 50 metre butterfly, 50 and 100 metre freestyles and was third in the 50 metre breaststroke. Plummer, swimming in the fifth division, won the 200 metre individual medley and 50 and 100 metre freestyles, and placed second in the 100 backstroke and 50 metre butterfly. Division eight swimmer Patrick Tung was equally effective winning the 100 metre freestyle and 200 metre individual medley and was second in the 50 metre butterfly.

In addition to swimming, the Kigoos are planning many other activities this season including an annual lake swim, movie nights, triathlon and swimathon.Other Richmond swimmers' results (top-six finishes) from the Ice Breaker meet were as follows:

Six and under:

Nicholas Girard, 5th, 50 freestyle.

Division one:

Andrew Christie, 6th, 100 freestyle; Choi Hei Ming, 4th, 50 freestyle.

Division two:

Sonya Chan, 6th, 50 butterfly; Spencer Roberts, 2nd in 50 butterfly, 3rd in 100 freestyle, 5th in 50 freestyle, and 6th in 50 breaststroke; Lucas Girard, 6th, 100 freestyle; Kendra Asleson, 3rd, 50 backstroke; and Kelsey Franks, 3rd, 50 breaststroke.

Division three:

Rena Kawabata, 2nd in 50 freestyle, 6th in 100 freestyle, 2nd in 50 butterfly, and 4th in IM; Carolyn Price, 6th in IM and 2nd in 50 breaststroke; Mathew Girard, 2nd in IM, 3rd in 50 butterfly, 3rd in 100 freestyle, 4th in 50 freestyle, and 3rd in 50 backstroke; William Noble, 5th, 50 backstroke; and Blair Knowles, 6th in 50 backstroke and 50 breaststroke.

Division four:

Cameron Knowles, 4th in 100 IM, and 6th in 50 butterfly and 50 freestyle.

Stephanie Busayoung, 1st, 50 butterfly.

Division five:

Sidney Roberts, 6th in 200 IM and 4th in 100 backstroke.

Division six:

Larissa Cool, 6th, 50 butterfly; Caitlin Webb, 5th, 100 breaststroke; and Brian Hobbs, 2nd in 50 freestyle and 4th in 100 freestyle.

Division seven:

Kerwin Cheung, 6th, 100 breaststroke; Meagan Drew-McKinstry, 5th, 100 backstroke; Jen Cool, 4th in 50 freestyle, 2nd in 100 backstroke, 100 breaststroke, and 100 freestyle, 2nd in 200 IM, and 2nd in 50 butterfly; Karin Stredulinsky, 5th in 50 freestyle, 3rd in 100 freestyle, 3rd in 200 IM, 100 backstroke and 50 butterfly; Kim Robertson, 4th in 100 freestyle, 200 IM and 50 butterfly; Alf Chan, 4th in 200 IM, 50 butterfly, 100 backstroke and 100 breaststroke and 6th in 50 freestyle; Brad Cladwell, 6th in 100 freestyle and 5th in 100 backstroke; and Christine McDonald, 5th in 100 breaststroke.

Division eight:

Dan Cowin, 3rd in 50 butterfly, 4th in 100 freestyle and 1st in 50 butterfly; and Dean Benlyazid, 2nd in 50 freestyle.

Dynamites heading to provincials

There's going to be Dynamite at this summer's B.C. squirt girls' softball championships in Tsawwassen.

Combining solid pitching with timely hitting, tight defense and aggressive base running, the Richmond Dynamites forged an imposing 22-5-1 record this season, capped by three impressive victories to top last weekend's zone playdowns at Palmer field and qualify for next month's provincials.

Behind the strong pitching of Leah Isherwood and timely hitting by Carmen Gutierrez, who smashed a long home run, the Dynamites opened the tournament Saturday with a 16-2 win over Burnaby.

With Shauna Hebert and Isherwood throwing well and Janelle Tarnow doing the job behind the plate, the Dynamites then held the New Westminster hitters at bay. Inspired by Carly Golinksi's home run, Dynamites offense exploded running the score well into double figures. Sarah Golden, Nicole Johal and Kaeli Finlayson led the way on the defensive side.

Thanks to another strong pitching performance by Isherwood, who threw a complete game, the Dynamites defeated Burnaby 8-5 in Sunday's final. Strong hitting by Krystyn Hertslet, Megan Klenmann and Eileen Ma, who filled in for Tarnow behind the plate, paced the Richmond offense.

Harriers win B.C. title

Richmond field hockey team takes under-18 crown

Don Fennell, Sports Editor

Employing a new system helped the Richmond Harriers become B.C. champions last week.

The under-18 girls' squad won the provincial title crown in Penticton last Sunday defeating Rossland 2-0 on strokes in the final.

"With eight of our 14 players being juniors (Grades 8, 9 and 10) I was concerned as to how they would stand up to the older, stronger players," sipov said.

He need not have worried as the Harriers refused to let anything distract them.

Sarah Osipov and Judith Stredulinsky netted the goals and keeper Kathryn Masson made three remarkable saves to preserve the victory. The locals controlled much of the play in regulation but couldn't score.

"The team play and chemistry was amazing," coach Earl Osipov marvelled. "Everyone was focused and energized right to the end."

Rather than the traditional format of five forwards, three midfielders and two defenders Osipov opted to play one sweeper, three forwards, three midfielders and three defenders in the tournament.

The new formation emphasized the importance of being patient, maintaining possession, and jumping into the play when the opportunity was there.

"The idea was to create more of a supporting-type system and that's exactly how it worked," Osipov said. "We just drew out everything and it was like they'd been playing it their whole lives."

The result was beyond anything Osipov expected, suggesting a top-four finish would have been satisfying considering the number of good teams in the tournament. Although Richmond won all its regular season games the opposition wasn't that strong, he said. As a result he was concerned the Harriers might not be as prepared as needed.

But the Harriers were in a zone, and Masson was virtually unbeatable in the nets.

Undefeated in round-robin play, the Harriers finished second behind Rossland (the reigning double-A high school champions). Kerri Zaine, Jen Lee and Danielle Hobbs scored in a 3-0 win over West Vancouver, while Zaine and Hobbs also scored in a 2-0 win over Burnaby. In between, the team played scoreless draws against Rossland and Kelowna.

In the semifinals, Richmond got shootout goals from Elizabeth Miyashita and Justine Osipov to defeat defending champion Penticton 2-0.

Judith Stredulinsky, Jen Werk, Elyse Vanderhelm and Sarah Osipov were all standouts defensively, while B.C. all-star Miyashita, Lindsay and Adrienne Taylor did a great job of patrolling the midfield along with Zaine. Hobbs, Justine Osipov, Kelly MacLean and Lee were equally brilliant up front.

By winning the B.C. championship, the Harriers followed in the footsteps of past provincial champions Richmond Eagles and Richmond Snipes.

Caraballo shoots down all-stars

Big blast leads Dominicans to men's fastball victory

Don Fennell, Sports Editor

They're still talking about "the shot" that rang through Steveston Park Thursday night.

With two out and the count 1-0, Adolso Caraballo got all of a Darren Strang pitch in the top of the fourth inning, sending the ball clear over the left field fence and very nearly as far as Moncton Street as the Dominican Republic edged the Richmond All-Stars 4-3 in exhibition fastball action.

Caraballo's home run, which also scored Juan Martinez, erased a 2-0 Richmond lead.

Showing no signs of being intimidated, the locals went ahead in the third inning when Brian Wong led off with a walk, Kevin MacKay followed with a single and, with two away, Mark Dunlop singled in both.

But the Dominicans took advantage of their tremendous speed on the base paths to score twice in the sixth. With one out, Martinez tripled to score Rafael Montero and Serhan Taveras. An error had allowed Montero to take first and Taveras got on after he was hit by a pitch by Jason Beaupit, who came on in the fifth.

Doug Miller made it a one-run game when he homered in the sixth, but that's as close as Richmond could get.

"It was a typical, close game (for us on this tour)," Heriberto Done, a left fielder with the Dominican team, said. "We have the speed and defense and good power hitting and that was the best part of our game again."

The Dominicans are undefeated on their North American tour which began May 28 and continues for two weeks.

Jose Minaya threw 6 2/3 innings for the Dominicans before Manuel Vargas-Torres came on in relief.

George Keeley, who has seen his share of fastball games, was thoroughly impressed.

"I can see the talent there," the long-time Steveston Park announcer said. "They're big, fast and strong. Both (Richmond and Ladner) all-star teams had to get rid of the ball in a hurry because with any hesitation they (Dominicans) were gone. They were that fast."

The Dominicans also defeated Ladner All-Stars 7-5 Thursday.

Pitching provides hope

Baby Budgies making slow, but steady progress

Don Fennell, Sports Editor

Close may only count in horseshoes and with hand grenades.

But for the Richmond Auto Body Budgies it also serves as an accurate indicator of how much progress the local premier midget baseball team is making.

While the Budgies have won only six of their first 23 games this season, they're proving to be increasingly competitive.

And manager Gary Parker suggests only a little more experience stands in the way of the Budgies breaking through into the league's upper echelon.

"We've lost five or six games by a run or two that I feel we could have had a chance to win," Parker said. "Maybe we just don't have enough yet, and we're a young team with nine first-year players."

Splitting a four-game series with the Knights last weekend at Prince George typifies the Budgies' season.

They managed only three hits in losing game one 4-1 with Jimmy van Ostrand doubling in Travis Phillips for Richmond's lone run. Pitcher Darius Eshragh took the loss despite giving up only one earned run and three hits himself.

James Hatch then threw a one-hitter and struck out seven as the Budgies won game two 5-3. Lane Fellardeau broke out of hitting slump to score two runs on two hits and also drove in a pair of runs.

In the third game, the Budgies blew a 4-1 lead, giving up three runs in the sixth inning and losing it in the seventh when the Knights scored on a series of Richmond fielding errors. Pitcher Paul Daniel threw a one-hitter for Richmond, while right fielder Jarrod Nagai was 2-for-3 and scored twice.

Richmond won the final game 8-5. Chris Neumeyer struck out seven in five innings after relieving starter Fellardeau who gave up three runs on three hits in two innings.

Overall, Parker has been elated with his pitching staff this season.

"They're holding us in a lot of games and they aren't afraid to throw inside and go after the hitters," he says. "It's an advantage for us because other teams don't like to throw inside."

But Parker isn't so enamoured by his team's hitting or fielding.

"We just need more practise."

Richmond dropped a 5-4 decision to Langley on Tuesday, despite a 3-for-4 effort by Jason Miller who scored once.

Islanders ready for provincials

Susan Kidney shone on the mound and at the plate as her Richmond Islanders '79 won last weekend's Kamloops tournament for the second straight year.

Kidney was the winning pitcher in the the local junior women's fastpitch team's 6-5 final win over Coquitlam Kaos and also batted .500 for the tournament.

Andrea Burr, Jami Ingram and Devon Tyler also hit the .500 mark, while Tracey Nelson batted an impressive .667 and Carl Maggs .600.

The Islanders were equally solid defensively led by Lindsay Burr, Jillian Hales, Stephanie Pettie, Brenda Fukuyama, Theresa Rawle and Robin Maggs.

The Islanders also defeated Kamloops Masters 10-5 behind Debbie Takeuchi, Calgary Firehawks 5-0 with Kathryn Morgan the winning pitcher, and Coquitlam Kaos 9-2 with Takeuchi earning the win and Morgan picking up the save.

Richmond Girls' Softball and the Islanders '79s are hosting the B.C. Junior B championships at McNair filed July 13 to 15.

Richmond is currently 16-2 in league play.

Fielding spelling success for Isles

The Richmond Islanders 87A peewee girls' fastpitch team has won 27 of its first 39 games this season, in no small part because of outstanding fielding.

The infield play of Jayme Greig, Amanda Ashizawa, Cassandra Hesse, Nasstassia Bohn, Shannon Tinkley and Tamiko Tanaka has aided the strong pitching of Mariko Monura, Krystyna Adams and Nicole Marshall and catching by Stephanie Beattie and Rika Shigeno.

Outfielders Alexa Guerrerro, Krista Barry and Stephanie Ovenden have also made some spectacular catches to provide strong support to the team.

Offensively, everyone the team has contributed with timely hits, coach Bob Laing says.

Second in a recent tournament at Mount Vernon, the Isles' goal is to qualify for the Western Canadian championships in early August.

Mustangs tune up offence

Fastpitch squad hands Little Rascals their first loss

The 1990 Mustang was a hit with consumers looking for a high-powered cruiser.

Similarly, the 1990 Mustangs squirt girls' fastpitch team boasts a high-octane offence.

On Thursday, the Mustangs exploded for five runs in the bottom of the third inning to top the Little Rascals 8-5 at Grauer field.

It was the Rascals' first loss this season.

Kaitlee Simonson and Heather McMillan led the way with key hits, after pitcher Jessica Fainstein had quickly sat down the Rascals in the top half of the inning.

Leah Sedola pitched the fourth inning for the Mustangs, striking out three and allowing one Rascal to reach base.

Katie Lawrence held the Rascals to three runs in the first inning, with catcher Melanie McPhail throwing to Lawrence at home plate for two outs.

Sarah Chapman fanned three and gave up a run in the third inning.

The Mustangs also received strong fielding from Stephanie Chen, Erika Hardacre, Tasia Smith and Rielly Miller, putting them in good stead for the season's final tournament next weekend at McNair field.