Islanders help Manatee Hurricanes to tournament title
by Kevin Cassidy
Islander Correspondent
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| These four took home top individual awards for the Anna Maria Island Community Center Soccer League's Division III 8-9 age group. Natasha Nieckoski, most outstanding female; Nicole Sewall, Kenny Randall Sportsmanship Award; Michael Latimer, Dennis Granstad Most Valuable Player Award; and Mikahla Kane, Officer Pete Lannon Goalie of the Year Award. Islander Photos: Bonner Joy |
The Manatee Hurricanes girls’ varsity soccer team captured the Timberwolf Classic girl’s Nov. 9-10 soccer tournament at Lawton Chiles High School in Tallahassee. The Lady Canes, which boasts Islanders Amber Wright, Tina Papazian and Erin Mulrine, went undefeated in three games to earn the championship trophy.
The tournament format had each school randomly play three games. Three points were awarded for a victory, while teams could also earn one point for a shutout and one point for every goal up to three goals. A maximum of seven points could be earned, allowing a 21-point maximum for three games. The Hurricanes earned 19 of 21 possible points to edge Tallahassee Lincoln for the crown.
The Hurricanes defeated Taylor County High 4-0 in its first game on Nov. 9, then followed that up with a tough 2-1 victory over two-time defending tournament champion Gainesville High School. The Hurricanes finally defeated Wakulla High School 3-0 to clinch the title.
In the Gainesville victory, senior defender Amber Wright had to mark striker Emily Dowd, a player who had scored more than 130 goals in her career and has already committed to play at the University of Tennessee. Wright, who always marks the opposition’s top offensive threat, held Dowd to one very questionable goal, which came late in the game.
Erin Mulrine, a freshman center midfielder, didn’t score in Tallahassee, but has been a consistent performer for the Lady Canes, notching two goals in seven games for the 5-0-2 Hurricanes. Tina Papazian, who started every game in goal last year, is injured and hasn’t played.
Other members of the team include seniors Lexi Braxton, Ali Thomas, Alisha Keene, Katie Rubino, Tara Stutts, along with juniors Kat Bouziane, Chrissy Rice, Eliza Faillace, Emily Argeros, Sandra Montalvo, Brooke Scott, Ansley Watts, Whitney Conley and Devinne Whitaker, while sophomores Molly Knight, Alyssa Brock and Deirdre Barr round out the roster.
Elks hoop shoot
Boys and girls ages 8-13 are invited to attend the 2007 Elks Hoop Shoot free-throw contest. The free event will be held Saturday, Dec. 8, at Bradenton Christian School Gym. Registration starts at 9:30 a.m. at the gym, located at 3304 43rd St. W., Bradenton.
Free refreshments, hamburgers, hot dogs and soft drinks, will be provided for participants and their families.
For more information, contact Dan Tabor at 941-753-4180, or call the Bradenton Elks at 941-792-1511, ext. 21.
Not too late for AMICC basketball
Boys and girls ages 5-17 can still register for the 2007 Anna Maria Island Community Center basketball league - and cheerleading. The deadline to register has been extended to Dec. 1.
Cost for playing basketball for members is $50 for the first child and $45 for any additional children in the member family. Non-members fee is $65 for the first child and $60 for additional siblings.
The basketball season is a 2-3 hour commitment with two games and one practice per week.
Every child that registers will be placed on a team, but all prospective players must attend mandatory tryouts at the times and dates listed below.
- Ages 5-7: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 3.
- Ages 8-9: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4.
- Ages 10-11: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday Dec. 5.
- Ages 12-13: 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6.
- Ages 14-17: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Friday Dec. 7.
Key Royale golf news
The Key Royale Club men teed it up on Nov. 14 in a better-ball-of-partners format. The team of Gerry Taylor and Nub Turner carded an impressive 7-under-par 57 to claim clubhouse bragging rights for the day. Four teams - Bob Kelly and Chris Collins; Lew Winegarden and Jim Thorton; Bob Sayles and Larry Fowler; Frank Vikingstad and John Purcell - tied for second place with matching 58s.
The men played nine holes on Nov. 12 in a two-best-balls-of-foursome format. The team of Gordon McKinna, Fred Meyer, Jim Finn and Hal Sears fired a 13-under-par 51 to claim first place. Second place went to the team of Ed Havlik, Larry Fowler, John Heiselman and Gino DiClemente. Third place was a tie between the teams of Chris Collins, Dick Grimme, John Atkinson and Bob Kelly and the team of Bob Lamp, Bob Sayles, Al Gunn and Jerry Micho as both teams carded 56s.
The ladies teamed up with the men on Nov. 9 in a two-best-balls-of-foursome game. Jane Winegarden, Terry Westby, Matt Behan and Al Gunn carded a 59, which was matched by the team of Teddy Morgan, Al Morgan, Rose Slomba and Fred Meyer.
Horseshoe news
Herb Puryear teamed up with Ron Slagh to earn the day’s bragging rights during Nov. 14 horseshoe competition at the Anna Maria City Hall pits. Puryear and Slagh rolled to an easy 22-12 victory over Norm Langland and Karl Thomas.
The Nov. 11 games saw three teams post undefeated records in pool play, resulting in a three-game playoff. Steve Doyle and John Crawford absorbed a brutal 26-11 defeat in the semifinals against Herb Puryear and John Johnson. The final was more of the same as Puryear and Johnson coasted past Sam Samuels and Debbie Rhodes by a 23-5 score.
Play gets under way at 9 a.m. every Wednesday and Saturday at the Anna Maria City Hall pits. Warmups begin at 8:45 a.m. followed by random team selection. There is no charge to play and everyone is welcome. |
