Alberni Valley News Friday, March 30, 2012
www.albernivalleynews.com
SPORTS
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BOWLING / Harder bowling. 20 GOLF/ Weather poor for ladies golf. 21
Sunz take JAN girls title Softball reg closing SUSAN QUINN
WAWMEESH G. HAMILTON
ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS
ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS
Alberni Valley Minor Softball Association president Cal Davies has put last season’s bad weather days behind him as the association prepares for the 2012 season. This Saturday, March 31 is the final day for registration. Parents can register their kids in softball at the Echo Minor Fieldhouse (off Wood Avenue by Wood School) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Last year, rain hampered numerous games, including the squirt boys’ provincial championships. In an effort to gain some good-weather playing time, the association
The Mystic Sunz beat the Gingolx Storm 53-47 to win the B.C. Junior All-Native girls division title, and dedicated their win to their former coach, who was killed in a plane crash last year. “It was tiring but it feels good to be back at home in Ahousaht,� Sunz assistant coach Qaamina Sam said. “We set the bar high early and we accomplished what we set out to do.� Twenty-six boys teams and 23 girls teams from First Nations across B.C. competed for their division titles at the week-long event in Port Alberni. Playing before 900 fans at the Athletic Hall in Port Alberni, Gingolx lead by 11 points in the third quarter and the Sunz couldn’t get traction when Sam called a time out. “We reminded them about how hard they trained to get to this point and that we were so close now,� Sam said. “We told them to push it, to not give up or let up.� The Sunz scored six two-point shots followed by two threepoint shots to draw even then pull ahead. Gingolx fought back, pulling within three points in the fourth quarter. But a key defensive play by Sunz g4uard Cory Williams followed by
WAWMEESH G. HAMILTON/ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS
An Ahousaht Mystic Sunz player, right, clutches a supporter after the team’s win over the Gingolx Storm for the BC Junior All Native girls division title.
‘We vowed to keep Katrina’s dream alive and we did.’ – Qaamina Sam four points sealed the championship. The Sunz won as a team, and Sam was hesitant to name individual players who stood out. Gingolx however had no answer for Sunz post Nicole Botting, who scored 22 points and stopped as many if not more. She was named tournament MVP. Sunz players dedicated themselves
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to a strict training regime since the fall that saw them run on their community of Ahousaht’s beaches rain or shine, as well as swimming in the cold ocean waters at 7 a.m. every morning. “Two players quit because of how hard it was but came back later,� Sam said. “One of our players moved from Nanaimo to Ahousaht so she could be with the team.� The Sunz title—even their presence at the Junior All-Native— almost never came to be. Qaamina’s daughter Katrina Sam was living in Nanaimo two years ago when she saw the girls play.
She moved to Ahousaht to coach the team, which she felt had the potential of winning a Junior AllNative title. In June 2011, Sam was killed in a plane crash near Tofino along with her brother Hunter and cousin Samantha Mattersdorfer. The community and team were devastated, and the team fell apart afterwards, Qaamina Sam said. But the girls got back together again, winning a tournament in December. “We vowed to keep Katrina’s dream alive and we did,� Qaamina Sam said. “We dedicated this to her.� reporter@albernivalleynews.com
registering than boys, but the boys are bucking the trend this season—especially in the younger age categories, he said. The association is busy redeveloping the ball diamonds at Echo Minor. They will start with Diamond No. 1 and rotate from there, giving each diamond a facelift. While the season starts April 16, a number of tournaments are already lined up. Uniforms and most equipment is provided. Families can apply for KidsSport assistance too. For more information on registration, please call Ida at 250-724-1824 or go online to www. albernisoftball.com.
Bulldogs sign Calgarian Calgary minor hockey product Jared Wilson has committed to play for the Alberni Valley Bulldogs in the B.C. Hockey League next season. Wilson, born in 1994, is a six-foot-one, 175-pound left-handed defenseman. He comes to the Bulldogs’ organization from the Calgary Royals Midget AAA program where he led the Royals in scoring (12-20-32 in 34 games) and penalty minutes (70 PIM). Moreover, Wilson was the league’s top scoring defenseman and was his team’s
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has extended its season to the July 14–15 weekend, Davies said. “We’re very optimistic that we’re going to rebound and good things are going to happen,� he said. “We’re excited about this new year.� Registration is down from last year, which is one reason for the late registration day, he said. This year the league has 32 teams from T-ball right up to midget. Davies was hoping for 40 teams, but he’s liking the way things are shaping up. “For the first time we’re going to have two midget girls (19 and under) teams,� he said. “That’s a positive stroke.� The league usually sees more girls
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Calgary’s Jared Wilson.
alternate captain. “We are very excited that Jared and his family decided to commit to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs over the other teams that were pursuing him,� said head coach Kevin Willison. “Jared is a
competitor with tremendous upside who can also contribute offensively.� Wilson and his father visited Port Alberni in early March and had the opportunity to experience “Pack The Plex� night. “The Bulldogs have the best fans in the league which I got a taste of at the Pack The Plex game,� said Wilson. Wilson will continue to train in Calgary during the off-season and will join the team for main training camp in mid-August.
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