10 sports October 6, 2010 + Over the Edge Alumni Game Starts Season off with a Bang The T-Wolves dampen alumni spirit during home opener BROCK CAMPBELL SPORTS EDITOR The UNBC Timberwolves men and women basketball teams began their pre-season warm up Saturday evening at the Northern Sports Centre in exhibition games against former Timberwolves players. The friendly match-ups were a feature of the UNBC Alumni Homecoming Weekend. Proceeds collected at the door went towards Shinerama’s fundraiser for the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Some returning stars for the women Alums included Laurel Wallace, Laura Foster, and Jaclyn Nazareno. On the men’s side Mike Davis, Jeff Dolan, Jari Deutsch, and Raju Korotana hit the hardwood. Women’s action began with the T-Wolves playing out of sync. Unable to gel offensively and having difficulties maintaining possession of the ball, the women’s team allowed the alumni to get out to an early 14-6 lead. In contrast, it was the Alums who meshed early. They distributed the ball evenly and used a balanced attack to open with a comfortable eight point cushion. Laura Foster got off to a quick start, scoring six of her eight points, and Laurel Wallace added five, giving the Alums an eleven point spread after the first quarter. The Alums maintained the lead halfway through the second until Mercedes VanKoughnett, in her sophomore season with the Wolves, caught fire. Vankoughnett, a Prince George product and former Duchess Park Condor, created turnovers defensively and controlled the ball on offense. Her consistent play and six consecutive points resulted in an 8-0 run that gave the T-Wolves a 32-30 lead at halftime. Vankoughnett continued her hot streak in the third with a steal for a hoop, and a blocked shot on Laurel Wallace, MVP of the 2008 provincial championship team. As the quarter continued the T-Wolves gathered momentum and added to their lead with Jennifer Marsh and Emily Kaehn providing the offense. Marsh buried two quick baskets as part of her nine point night, and Kaehn, who led all scorers with thirteen, poured in nine to give the T-Wolves a sixteen point lead as the quarter ended. Despite the efforts of Nicole Smolik in the fourth, who finished with eight points, and Jaclyn Nazareno, who led the Alums with eleven, the former T-Wolves could not mount a final comeback and the UNBC girls coasted to a 76-53 victory. As for the National Champions men’s team, they too got off to a slow start against their alumni counterparts. Sloppy passing and problems getting the ball inside for the T-Wolves culminated in UNBC clinging to a four point lead at the conclusion of the first quarter. Things changed during the second as the T-Wolves pressured the ball full court and their transition game took over. One of the newest additions to the squad, Robert Rodriguez, who hails from Sacramento, California, was pivotal in igniting the T-Wolves’ offense. Rodriguez’s defensive intensity and ability to get to the hoop wore down the Alums. His efforts alongside Matt Mills, who drained three of his four three-pointers in the second quarter, allowed the T- Wolves to pull away, and as the first-half came to an end UNBC was up 51-26. The T-Wolves kept it rolling in the second. Taking advantage of the Alums tired legs, UNBC extended its lead to as much as forty-three points. Mills added to his point total finishing the night with nineteen as the game’s leading scorer. Last year’s Championship MVP Inderbir Gill collected eleven and Rodriguez added ten. Mike Davis led the Alums with sixteen points, concluding the game with two consecutive three- pointers from long distances. The game finished with the T- Wolves up 91-57. According to the men’s new head Coach Todd Jordan, his team’s primary objective Saturday was to work on its chemistry. “We just wanted to focus on rotating everyone into the game and give them all a chance getting used to playing with one another,” said Jordan. He stressed that this will be crucial to the team’s success during the regular season and playoffs, as he believes that the team’s depth will be its competitive advantage in defending its national championship. The team’s impressive talent and athleticism will mean Jordan can keep fresh legs on the floor throughout games. This, he says “will allow the T-Wolves to pressure their opponents defensively, and wear them down”. The T-Wolves can look forward to being Public Enemy Number One of the BCCAA, as every team will be gunning to beat the champs. Therefore, Jordan knows he is going to need a full effort from all his players, something he plans to focus on as the team continues its pre-season warm-up. Both the men and women T-Wolves will continue exhibition play until their regular season begins November 5*" against Douglas College of New Westminster. The women head to Calgary for a tournament hosted by Mount Royal October 7", and are back in Alberta the following weekend for another tourney in Red Deer. The men traveled south September 30" to start a three game road stint where they will take on Quest College in Squamish, Kwantlen in Surrey the following night, and finished the trip against the University of the Fraser Valley October 2nd. The following weekend they host Grande Prairie before joining the women en-route to Red Deer October 14". In addition to providing an entertaining evening of basketball, the event also added over $1,200 to the Shinerama campaign. SHELBY PETERSEN Rollerderby is here to Stay in Prince George Third season of Rollerderby to take PG by Storm ALICIA LOCK CONTRIBUTER The Rated PG Rollergirls had an exciting and season, from hosting their first out of town team The Kelowna Peach Tarts in May, to traveling to Williams Lake in August to take on the Lake City Derby Girls with great success. The Rollergirls could be found participating in events around Prince George including The Ice Man, SPCA Pause for Cause, Bowl for Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and, most recently, the Otway Challenge. As the Rollergirls head into their 3rd season things are shaping up for a fun and exciting year. The Rollergirls have already booked the Roll A Dome for October 23rd to host Prince George Skatefest which will involve Rollergirls from all over BC and Alberta to join them in a day camp and bout. The Rollergirls have also been in contact with Red Deer, Oil City (Edmonton) and Kiss me Deadlies (Chilliwak) to join them in Prince George to bring the fans a different level of Derby. So far this year the Rollergirls have put a team together to participate in the Run for a Cure, and will continue to support the community in many different events. The Rated PG Rollergirls are offering Fresh Meat (new skaters) an opportunity to learn how to play the exciting game of Derby every Thursday evening throughout the year from 7-8pm at the Roll ADome. Never been on skates before? Don’t worry, the Rollergirls will teach you how to skate smoothly and in control and learn the game of Roller Derby. The Rated PG Rollergirls are still in need of help with coaching, announcing, and refereeing. As the Rated PG Rollergirls are a non-profit society they are always looking to team up with companies for sponsorship as well. The Rated PG Rollergirls would also invite everyone in entering our Logo Contest Open September 15” to October 15" Images can be sent to lockdown7138@live.ca. For more information on how you can get involved please feel free to check us out on our web site www. ratedpgrollergirls.com email us at ratedpgrollergirls@hotmail.com or visit us on Facebook. SUBMITTED PHOTO TheRated PG Rollergirls tear up the track during a bout last season.