Island Elementary Soccer Championships
The annual contest for elementary school soccer supremacy was on the line last Thursday. In Mindemoya, Grade 7/8 teams vied in a new nine-team format (six schools with one team and three schools bringing an A and B squad) where so-called A and B teams from schools played against each other. As often happens, the motivation to play in the same division as your own schoolmates brings out the best in their competitive spirit to make things interesting.
In the LCPS case, the B side narrowly prevailed over the A team to make it to the semi-finals only to be pitted against a hot Lakeview squad who made it to the championship game against the CC McLean B team who slid by Gore Bays’ top draftees. In the intense finale, the winner could not be determined in regular time and went to the nail-biting, shoot-out!
With amazing goaltending from Lakeview’s Malcolm Bushey and CC McLean’s Lily-Faith Hore, the contest went down to the ridiculous “sudden-death” rounds where one mistake in a cycle ensured your team, second place.
With a heart-breaking end for each team in the offing, it was Gore Bay who made the least mistakes and took home this year’s trophy. Hats off to Coach Dan Smith and players Rory Dearing, Abby Smith, Nathan Temple, Lily-Faith Hore, Kyle Wood, Madison Swihart, Michael Bailey, Amber Wiwchar, Will Gordon, Larissa Chevrette, Chase Hester and Bailey Yaschuk-Middaugh.
In Wikwemikong, the Juniors also had amazingly close matches to determine the Grade 4 – 6 winners. The CMPS Junior A team won their first 3 games, then drew Assiginack 0 – 0 in the fourth, losing that game on penalty kicks 3 – 2. The scoreless result, however, did open a window for CMPS to take the title only if they beat host Pontiac in their final game, and in regulation, to receive the full 3 points. In a closely fought final match of the day, CMPS came out on top 1 – 0, giving them first with 11 points, over second place Assiginack with 10 and Pontiac in third with 9. It was a pretty exciting, closely fought championship, and the kids from all teams played spirited soccer and showed great sportsmanship all day long. Thanks as well to Deana Debassige and her team in Wiky for a well, organized and executed day. Congrats to the A champion Eagles: Chloe Peltier, Liam Bridgeman, Delaney Bridgeman, Ben Dewar, Carter Moggy, Jacob Wilson, Madison Skippen, Zoe Redmond, Kasch Lentir, Leah Spry, Laura Orford, Lindsay Sheppard, keeper Landon Hare and Coach Michael Bridgeman.
On the B field, the Assiginack All-stars topped second place, CMPS to take home their well-deserved hardware. Congratulations to: Chris White, Cord Hughson, Ayla Closs, Mathis Bredin, Emile Moore, Cole Hughson, Brodie Pennie, Lauren, Osawamick, Sonya Jacko, Natalia Bell, Lane Philips and Coach Joanne Roy-Peltier!
Mustangs love tennis!
The MSS Tennis team went to Blind River this past Thursday to compete for the NSSSA title and despite having quite a young team this year, they won the North Shore Secondary Schools Association banner! Congratulations to the court masters who are moving on to NOSSA tomorrow, back in Blind River:
Bryce Mastelko and Mackenzie Turner who were golden in mixed doubles; Jackie Cooper (gold) and Faith Taylor (silver) in girls’ singles; Alayna Cranston/Maddy Niven (gold) and Sarah Hovingh and Shelby Hester (silver) in girls’ doubles. Also having a great tournament were: A.J. VanKesteren, Sophie Bondi, Ethan Closs, Connor Bellmore, Hannah Woestenenk, Nathan Howard and of course hard-working Coach Chris Theijsmeijer.
What is Pickleball you say?
Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in North America. For a quick primer check out this video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmYF67dqNaQ. Intrigued? The local club plays in Little Current at the Little Current Recreation Centre’s Curling Club. The club’s regular two-hour time slots are every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 am to 12 noon. They are also creating an additional Thursday evening opportunity for those who busy during the day.
The club is a great bunch who are into this fun, social game that gets you moving. Equipment and lessons are provided for beginners. They also boast some of the best provincially, nationally and internationally ranked players from here, on Manitoulin!
So for a measly $15 you get up to 4 days a week to play as well as a Pickle Ball of Ontario membership, which provides the required insurance coverage. The local organization plays from May until October. For more information please contact Bud and Pierrette Hebner at bphebner@gmail.com, Home: 705-368-1953 or by cell at 705-869-8656.
A good sport is good for sports.
chipstoquips@gmail.com
