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J • : •' '-jrJg&ifgsi IIptE -/MtS Hü JR. B MID EAST GP W L T PTS BARRIË 16 15 1 0 30 GREEN GAELS 14 8 6 0 16 MARKHAM 15 8 7 0 16 SAINTS 14 7 7 0 14 HUNTSVILLE 16 5 11 0 10 Brian McNair Fusco finds his way back to the floor It's often been said that coaches' can only do so much in sports, that they can't jump on the ice or field and affect the outcome in a direct way. Try telling that to John Fusco. Fusco, for a variety of reasons, did indeed jump on the floor Saturday in , Kitchener-Waterloo, suiting up for the same Brooklin Redmen team for which he established himself as a lacrosse legend legend in the 1980s and '90s. Now an assistant coach under Ian McGough, Fusco, was partly pressed ■ into action due to a lack' of bodies, but more so inserted for strategic reasons, specifically to inspire a group of players that has lacked that spark so fart Unfortunately the'tactic didn't quite work out as planned, despite an impressive impressive two-goal, three-point effort from the wily vet. In what GM Barry Johnson dubbed a "humiliating" performance: overall, the Redmen coughed up 10 goals in the second second period en route to an 18-16 defeat to the Kodiacs. "We're trying to instill some of his competitiveness and intensity to the team," Johnson explains of the decision to dust off the No. 25 jersey. "Obviously if a guy who's 42 years old can go out there and play like that... there's a message message there." A few players responded, too, including including captain Shawn Williams, who had four goals and four assists, and Mike Hominuck, who had four goals and three helpers. But players of that ilk rarely need such inspiration. The message was aimed at the younger players, who either didn't get it or were intimidated by playing alongside the team's all-time scoring leader. This is a man, after all, who earned every bit of the 'legend' tag. He first played with the Redmen in 1981, called up as an 18-year-old from the Whitby Warriors and earning 10 points in four playoff games. Twenty years later, he finished up - or so it seemed - with 409 games under ' his belt (1st among career Redmen), 362 goals (6th), 795 assists (1st), 1,157 points (1st), 1,364 penalty minutes (2nd) and, most importantly, five Mann Cup national championships. If he suits up for a few more games, , which seems likely, considering the world field lacrosse championships will deplete the roster by five next month, Fusco will continue to re-write the record book. He's now 176 career points ahead of Williams'and just 33 minutes behind career penally leader Scott McMichacl. But that's hardly the point of this exercise. exercise. "It's just the little things, like how hard you have to work to get the ball or get open," Fusco says of what he hopes to accomplish in the mentoring role. "The talent is definitely there, it's just a matter matter of the guys stepping up their game instead of waiting for Shawn (Williams) or (Steve) Toll to do it. "They have to choose to be a winner or choose to he a passenger." It's clear which way Fusco chose. Brian McNair's column appears every third Wednesday. E-mail: hmcnair@durhamregion.com Silver for Lopes SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Whitby hurdler Priscilla Lopes came through with another personal best Friday, but it wasn't enough to dethrone American American Virginia Powell at the NCAA track and field championships. Lopes, who set the world's fastest time In the 100-metre hurdles while winning a regional championship last month, clocked in with an even better better time of 12.60 seconds Friday, but settled for silver thanks to Powell's powerful performance. • Walter Passarella / Metroland Durham Region Media Group Sophia-Lynn Clubbe of Monsignor Leo Cleary keeps a stride ahead of Mother Teresa's Danielle Flood in the Junior Girls 1,500m during the Lakeshore West track and field meet held at St. Stephen's Secondary School. The meet brought the best young track and field athletes together, including Davis Platz of Good Shepherd, who leaps in the air during the Junior Boys running long jump. Good Shepherd tops the list Lakeshore West track and field meet attracts the best / CLARINGTON -- Area elementary schools sent their best athletes to the Lakeshore West track and field meet that was held at St. Stephen's Secondary School. The overall champion was Good Shepherd, Shepherd, who racked up a total of 347 points. Second through seventh.included St. Elizabeth 329, Msgr. Cleary 260, St. Stephen's 240, Mother Teresa 194, St. Francis of Assisi 131 and St. Joseph's 114. The following are the results from each division. JUNIOR GIRLS 100m - 1. Brianna Quade, St. F., 2. Samantha Herbert, St. S., 3. Alicia De Silva, G.S. 200m - 1. Brianna Quade, St. E, 2. Cathy Graham, G.S., 3. Alicia De Silva, G.S. 800m - 1. Dreuanah Davidson, St. J., 2. Brittany Brennion, St. S., 3. Rikki Graham, St. F. 1500m - 1. Katie Codyre, St. E., 2. Brittany B., St. J., 3. Rikki Graham, St. F. Running Long Jump-- 1. Sam Herbert, Herbert, St. S., 2. Ellen Potts, M.T., 3. Sam McCullough, G.S." Standing Long Jump -- 1. Brianna Quade, St. E, 2. Danielle Higgs, M.T., 3. Samantha Herbert, St. S. High Jump - 1. Katrina Zudillaki, M.C., 2. Adrianna Speziale, St. E, 3. : Lindsay DeRom, G.S. Relay - 1. Good Shepherd 2. Mother" : Teresa 3. St. Francis of Assisi Individual Champion - Brianna Quade, St. Francis of Assisi JUNIOR BOYS 100m - I. Josh Armstrong, St. E., 2. Dallas Greer, St. E., 3. Brandon Joachin M.C. ; 200m - 1. Matt Peters, St. E., 2. Cameron Gilmore, St. E., 3. Brandon Joachin, M.C. 800m - 1. Mitchell Burghardt, St. E„ 2. Brandon Herd, St. E, Keaton D., St. J. 1500m - 1. Mitchell Burghardt, St. E., 2. Brandon Herd, St. E, 3. Dylan Cherry, M.C. ' Running Long Jump - 1 . Dallas Greer, St. E., 2. Marce Azzans, M.T., 3. Conner W.,St.J. Standing Long Jump - 1. Justin Kopp, M.C., 2. Michael Jeszka, St. S., 3. Brian Geroux, St. S. High Jump --. 1. Michael Jesyka, St. S., 2. David Lewaqickouski, St. E., 3. Cameron Gilmore, St. E. Relay -- 1. St. Elizabeth 2. Mother Teresa 3. Good Shepherd Individual Champion - Mitchell Burghardt, St. Elizabeth INTERMEDIATE GIRLS 100m - 1. Jessica Brooks, M.C., 2. Ashley R. St. J., 3. Krystal Fleetwood, G.S. 200m - 1. Alina Hall, St. E, 2. Brigitte Hillebiand, G.S., 3. Ashley R., St. J. 800m - 1. Alina Hall, St. E„ 2. Taylor Smith, St. S., 3. Nicole Griffin, G.S. 1500m - 1. Alina Hall, St. E„ 2. Brigette Hillebiand, G.S., 3. Amanda Carvojal, M.C. Running Long Jump - 1. Courtney Pender, St. S., 2. Alexandrian Corcoran, G.S., 3. Ashlyn Boucher, M.T. Triple Jump - 1. Krystal Fleetwood, G.S., 2. Carley Mercier, G.S., 3. Ashlyn Boucher, M.T. Shot Put - 1. Emily Frennett, M.T., 2. Taylor Small, St. S., 3. Melissa Kennedy, St. F. High Jump -- 1. Taylor Small, St. Stephen's, 2. Halyna Polityka, G.S., 3. Jessica Brooks, M.C. Relay - 1. Good Shepherd 2. St. Stephen's 3. St.'Elizabeth Individual Champion - Alina Hall, St. Elizabeth INTERMEDIATE BOYS 100m - T. Chris Albertini, M.C., 2. Cameron Smith, St. S., 3. Connor Johnston, Johnston, St. S. 200m - 1. Chris Albertini, M-C., 2. Cameron smith, St. S., 3. Brett Smith, St. S. See TRACK, page 6 Captain Mojack returns as head coach For more on this story Mojacks dip into the past with Courtice resident Darren Nesbitt BY BRAD KELLY Sports Editor COURTICE - Darren Nesbitt knows what it's like to advance all the way to the Ontario finals as a member of the Port Perry MoJacks. Now, some 20 years later, he is looking to take it a step further from behind the bench instead of on it. The Courtice resident has been named the successor to Marlin Muylaert, who left the team after one season to begin the new men's hockey program at UOIT in Oshawa, which . will launch in 1* WATCH VIDEO time for the 2007- durtl^,nr ^^> to "• 00, " 08 season. The past season was a memorable one, as the MoJacks advanced to the Ontario semifinals semifinals before bowing out to the eventual provincial provincial champions from Penctang. Nesbitt is optimistic that the club can continue to build on the success of that long playoff • run. "Initially, I thought the team was going to have to go through a rebuilding process. But after seeing the talent at the rookie camp, there arc a lot of good hockey players," he said, adding, "We arc going to strive towards last year's accomplishments, accomplishments, but it might be difficult in year one. But I want to get there as soon as I can." The 38-year-old married father of two has been there lx;lore with the MoJacks. 1 le was the captain of the last MoJacks team to reach the Ontario Jr. C final back in 1987-88 under the guidance of head coach George Burnett. Though they lost to M(X)retown in five games, the memory of that playoff run is still fresh in Nesbitt's mind. "We Iront Hanover in Game 7 in the semifinals at Port Perry and they were Jason Liebregts / Metroland Durham Region Media Group After eight seasons of coaching in the Clarington minor hockey system, Darren Nesbitt has been named the head coach of the Port Perry Mojacks Jr. C hockey team. standing two and three deep at the lop of the arena," lie recalls of that series, Memories like that particular one prompted the Durham Regional Police Sergeant to apply for the coaching vacancy after reading of Muylaert's departure in the pu|xr, "Port Perry is a great town, and that's why when the opportunity presented itself, I thought it would be a great spot to go." The history that he shares with the club, and his willingness to put something back into the program were key to his being hired, says GM Murray Parliament. "Darren interviewed very well," notes Parliament, adding that four candidates went through the interview process. "He is a pretty organized person, and he has kept in tunc with hockey over the years. Having played Jr. B and Jr. C, he has mi appreciation appreciation for what Jr. C has to offer." Advancing through the minor hockey ranks in Oshawa while growing up, Nesbitt Nesbitt played one year of Jr. B with the Legionnaires before joining the MoJacks. When his own kids began playing, he coached for the past eight years at the house league, select, AA and AAA levels in Clarington. Last season, lie was behind . the bench of the Novice AA Toros. Admit- \ tedly, the jump to junior hockey is a big one, but one that he is ready to take. "It's a big step, no doubt, but I'm quite comfortable making the step," he says. "It's going to be a huge learning curve, but I like to think I am a quick learner." Parliament doesn't see the lack of experience experience at the junior level as a problem. "We didn't see that as a knock against him. You have to start somewhere, and he showed that he is willing to work hard at the job and be committed." His first responsibility was to sift through this past weekend's rookie camp, which attracted just over 80 young prospects. From that number, he expects to take 40-45 players, including veterans, into a mini camp next week. That number will be whittled to a more manageable 30-35 for the main camp in lale-August, when the players will try to make a big enough impression to make the team. And what might that team look like? "With the new rules, speed is going to lie a priority, even over size," he says. "Skating "Skating is going to lx* numlxr one, and I want a gritty team that finishes their checks and comes lo play hard every night." With that mix, the kind of success he enjoyed as a player with the MoJaeks could lx duplicated as a coach.