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i PAGE 14 THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, APRIL 21,2004 www.durtiamregion.com Efjc Caimbian Statesman Clarington's Award-Winning Newspaper Since 1854 April 21,2004 infodurhamregion.com 4,- 3 : ; Brian McNair Major lacrosse is 'best kept secret in Durham Region' This Sunday more than 15,000 lacrosse fans will fork out as much as $53 to watch the Toronto Rock do battle with the Buffalo Bandits at the Air Canada Centre. On May 15 less than 1,000 fans will pay no more than $8 to see the Brooklin Redmen open their season against the St. Catharines Athletics at the Iroquois Park Sports Centre. It just doesn't compute. Sure there are reasons why the National Lacrosse League outdraws the Major Series, but considering the talent level of the two leagues, it's hard to fathom why the disparity disparity is so large. In fact, if the Redmen manage to floor the team they're aiming to this season, they would, at worst, give the Rock a run for its money and, at best, prevail in a fantasy match. "I've always said Major Series is the best kept secret in Durham Region," Region," says Barry Johnson, general manager of the Redmen. Using the lure of the Mann Cup, the holy grail of trophies for just about every lacrosse player, Johnson Johnson believes he has convinced several several star players to suit up for the Redmen again this summer. The final roster won't be settled until well after the professional league wraps up, but Johnson says he hopes to have the likes of Shawn Williams, Kasey Beirnes and Matt Shearer back in the fold this season. Williams, who finished eighth in scoring in the NLLthis season, was the Redmen's perennial scoring champ until he left for greener pastures pastures in B.C. last summer. Beirnes burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2002, but decided to play Senior B last season. And Shearer, long sought after by the Redmen but rarely able to commit due to working in the States, has moved back home and is expected to finally make a regular appearance. Johnson pulled the trigger on a major deal Monday, shipping sniper Jonas Derks to Akwesasne for the rights to Luke Wiles, last year's Minto Cup MVP and the first overall pick 'in the most recent draft. If he can convince superstar Gavin Prout to choose box over field lacrosse again this summer, Johnson will have a roster that would make many an NLL GM drool. Standouts Steve Toll, Jason Crosbie, Darryl Gibson and goalie Gee Nash are among the other strong possibilities. Although budgetary constraints make it difficult to market the team properly and some fans could do without the oft-sweltering conditions conditions at Iroquois Park, the Major Scries game is a more intimate and accessible option than the NLL to those in Durham Region, And, indeed, if the Redmen are able to take a serious run at the Mann Cup again this season, crowds will swell significantly as it approaches. But the many from these parts who appreciate and love the game should support it right from the get Gaels perfect in pre-season Rookies have impressive showing in four wins during tournament BY BRAD KELLY Sports Editor BOWMANVILLE - The Claring- ton Green Gaels are hoping the rest of the season turns out to be as perfect perfect as the start. The Jr. B lacrosse club served notice notice it can be included among the top teams this season, winning four of four games in a tournament Sunday at the Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex in Bowmanville. The Green Gaels posted convincing convincing 10-0 and 15-3 wins over the West Durham Rock intermediates, as well as beating league rivals Saints (formerly (formerly Scarborough) 8-7 and Mimico 10-8. Granted, the opposing teams may not have been at their mid-season best,, but neither were the Green Gaels, who used split squads in the games to get a better gauge of the talent talent still remaining in training camp. While winning without tasting defeat defeat wasn't the sole mission, it was a nice way to kick start what is hoped to be a promising season, observed coach Jason Crosbie. "(Winning) isn't a top priority right now, we're more looking to see what we've got. "But we have to produce a Green Gael feeling. The tradition of this team and organization is a good one and you have to pride yourself on winning." Jeff Tsuji, a late acquisition from Scarborough last season (11-9-20 in four games), led the Green Gaels scoring parade, netting 12 points in the three games he played. Among some of thé other veterans who looked sharp included last season's top scorer Shane Sargent (35-32-67 in 19 games), along with James Barton Barton (18-23-41 in 19 games), said general general manager Doug Luey. But it's the young players who continue to impress, particularly -» ; . :■ v.s5m V' ... ■ ■ .■ ■ Ron Pietroniro/ The Canadian Statesman Peter Vandenheuvel races up the stairs during a Clarington Green Gaels workout Monday night at the Recreation Complex. Wet conditions conditions outside forced the Jr. B lacrosse team indoors 1 for a few laps. Vandenheuvel has been just one of an impressive crop of rookies looking to land a spot with the club. Cory Upshaw, Peter Vandenheuvel, Carson and Colby Atkinson, added Alex Henderson, Joel Weber, Luke Luey. BY BRAD KELLY Sports Editor HAMPTON - They're everywhere everywhere you look. Quiet country roads have them, as do sidewalks that meander through quiet neighbourhoods or the downtown. downtown. Runners. While running can be a lonely pursuit, pursuit, those out pounding the pavement pavement attempting to maintain a healthy lifestyle have the opportunity to gather on a weekly basis with those sharing a similar interest. The R U Running Club based out of Hampton is in its infancy this spring, hoping to attract runners from throughout the municipality who want to belong to a group. The brainchild of Debbie Mackey and Heather Pereira, the new club is offering a unique opportunity to area residents. "Last year I started running and knew of a lot of people who had to travel to Whitby to belong to a club and I thought there was such a need here," says Mackey of identifying the opportunity for a running club to be established a little closer to home in Clarington. With the help of Pereira, who was operating a small club out of her home but needed another outlet,, the two formed the R U Running Club in the spring, attracting seven dedicated runners. As word has circulated about the formation of the club, interest has grown. "It gives people a chance to get into a social group and learn how to run," says Pereira, who adds the club is open to both genders and runners ranging from beginners to more seasoned seasoned veterans. "There were only a couple of guys where it became obvious they can't,, play at the junior level," noted Luey , , of the ongoing talent evaluation. "We're pretty secure with the guys who aren't going to make it and the 12-14 that are, but it's the guys frorn*i; spots 18-23 we're having difficulty'»»* with." >*i Crosbie concurred that the off-»*! season makeup of the team may be**! altered due to the strong showing of.**! graduating midget and intermediate;.*! players looking to gain a spot with*»! the Green Gaels. !**; "They have shown far more matu- - '& rity and knowledge of the game than>*i I thought," he said of the young play-»*! ers. ; "Right now we're looking to seej>. , l who has the smarts that you can't*-* teach, who makes bad mistakes at the* ,,- bad times. I think that will be the key.!% "They are all talented in their own ;■* way. But how they react to situations;^ is going to make the difference." • The Green Gaels will travel with • 28 players to Kapuskasing this week-*** end for a pair of clinics and intra- 1 * squad games, helping to promote the > game in the north. •>« Upon Sunday's return, another;;* round of cuts will be made to pare the, ■ roster down to 21, leaving a couple of .> spots open for late releases from the ';» Whitby Warriors Jr. A team to filter!;> down. I The season opener is scheduled * for Thursday, April 29 in Bow- : » manville against the Saints at 8 p.m. !; i The Green Gaels will be looking * to improve on an 11-8-1 regular sea- ; son third place finish in the Mid East * in 2003 that included a first round > exit in four games to the Mimico I Mountaineers. -Î THE SCOOP - A change in venue from the Darlington Sports Centre to, the Recreation Complex for Sunday's"* tournament was made midweek prior,' but not relayed to the media...Eight, of the 10 regular season home games will be played Thursday at 8 p.m.,- j the only exceptions Sunday, May 30 " against the Gloucester Griffins at 2.-, p.m. and Saturday, June 5 against the»} Nepean Knights at 8 p.m, . "*« Tigers | tame the § Buzzers in ! Jr. A finals | Take next step to Royal Bank Cup V* 1 >. VI ' sri Oshawa's Chris - ! Ron Pietroniro/ The Canadian Statesman Members of the R U Running Club start out at a leisurely pace on a Saturday morning in Hampton. The first-year club is hoping to attract new members with similar interests. New club off and running "For beginners, there's. an introduction introduction and they can get into it gradually gradually and continue on. So many people people start out and get injured or get tired and then give up. "We'll give them the basics and allow them to stick to a program." Pereira,began running cross-country cross-country in high school, and continued on through university as part of her training with the swim team. Along the way, she has completed halfmarathons, halfmarathons, 1Okm runs and various distances of triathlons. Mackey has also completed a halfmarathon halfmarathon as well, but cited the goal of the new club to be a little less daunting, hoping to work up to a 10km distance by season's end. The group meets Saturdays at 9 a.m. in Hampton. For more information, information, contact Mackey at 905-263- 8164. TORONTO Whitley made-35 saves for his second j straight shutout as the Aurora Tigers i beat the St. Michael's Buzzers 5-0 to | win. the Provincial Junior A Hockey ] League championship Monday. j Whitley also made 27 stops in a 5- i 0 win two nights earlier for the ! Tigers, who won the series in six | games and now advance to the Dud- j ley Hewitt Championships April 27 i to May 1 in North Bay. [ Whitley, a former Oshawa Legion- j aires and Oshawa Generals goalie, is j in his final year of junior hockey. He i was contending for a title with the | Tigers a year ago, but was suspended ] in the final and watched from the' j sidelines as the Wellington Dukes i prevailed. „ ! The Bowmanville Eagles de- j throned the defending champions in j the East Conference final, winning a i thrilling seven-game series. ! In the league semifinals, the Ea- j gles fell behind 3-0 to the Buzzers, [ before rallying to make the series 3-2. < The Buzzers eventually won the se- ! ries on home ice in Game 6. | The winner of the four-team Dud- j ley Hewitt tournament will advance i to the Royal Bank Cup national j championships in Grande Prairie | May 8-16. J Moy 15,2004 3 on 3 Basketball Classic Gr. 5-8 Presented by A METROLAND DURHAM REGION MEDIA GROUP Call Canadian Statesman sports editor Brad Kelly for information. 905 579 4400 This Week • C.nuilmin âtatrsimin • NIAS ADYIRTISIR • (Einu8-3oimi.il • durhamregion.com