MY COLUMN - MIKE MCMURRAN Sports Editor
Ah yes, the high school basketball season is upon us, which means Bob Barton and I are busy beavers. This past week I had the privilege of being the public address announcer at the Trinity Catholic Lady Titan’s Third Annual Basketball Classic. Monday thru Friday a total of nine games. As fate would have it the best game was saved for last: It featured the Spartans of Francis Howell Central and their star junior forward Shakara Jones against our hometown St. Charles Pirates with their one-two punch or Tori Fenemor and Abby Schultenhenrich.
Ah yes, nine games of basketball, starting nightly at 6 and 7:30, ending around 9:15 or so. Of on Friday night there were three games, with the last game starting at 8:30. Yes, good old fate was at work Friday evening. Not only was the Championship game the best, for a number of reasons – it was the longest game of the entire tournament.
St. Charles head coach Corey Nesslage’s leading scorer Schultenhenrich secured three fouls early, and I mean early, in the first quarter; she remained on the bench the rest of the first half. In the mean time Jones pretty much dominated the game. Not to worry, Schultenhenrich would return in the second half and make a game of it – or at least that would be the plan. She did return in the second half, but gathered her 4th foul in the first minute of the second half. Things did not look good for the Pirates.
I suspect I should mention, as the public address announcer, I was to remain neutral, except when Trinity was playing. For example, on Wednesday, when St. Charles played Trinity, and Abby nailed a three, I simply said: “Schultenhenrich, for 3.” On the other hand, when Trinity’s Kim Krahl rebounded the ball and drove all the way to the other basketl for two, I would overly exaggerate: “Kim Krahlllll….goes coast to coast for two!”
Back to Friday’s championship game. Once Central built a 15-point lead Jones was pulled. At just about the same time Abby returned – and she was hot! Slowly, but surely the Pirates chipped at Central’s lead – Jones returned. St. Charles pulled within three with less than 10 seconds remaining. St. Charles was in bounding the ball beneath their own basket. Everyone in the Robert Strub Memorial Gym knew what was coming – someway, somehow, the Pirates would get the ball to Schultenhenrich for a game tying three pointer. Well, they did, and she did. As the public address guy all I could say was: Schultenhenrich, for 3. Remember, I had to appear neutral – I was anything but!
Both teams had their “go to” players in now, Jones versus Schultenhenrich. Jones down low for the Spartans, Schultenhenrich working to get open anyway, anywhere she could. At the end of overtime the game was once again knotted. “Double overtime,” my voice bellowed though out the gym.
Ultimately Central hung on for the win – but that is not the point I wish to make. Nesslage coached his butt off. With his star player on the bench most of regulation play, he kept his Pirates close enough to strike back once she returned. A balanced scoring attack: Schultenhenrich finished with 12 (3/4 from past the arc), Fenemor had 13, Lisa Witte 12. Senior Abby Schaberg was perfect from the 3 point line (3/3) scoring 9. Rounding out the scoring was Whitney Euginger 5, Katie Muir 4, and Claire Gillette 2. I couldn’t help but think if it had happened the other way, that is if Jones had been on the bench most of the game, there would have been no way Central would have been able to keep it close. I also couldn’t help but wonder, “what if Abby had played the entire game?”
Ah yes, good old fate: The two teams will play again this Thursday at 7 p.m. at Howell Central. Anyone interested in watching some top notch, girls’ basketball needs only to travel down Highway N to Central Thursday evening. You can bet Bob and I will be there.
By the way, the final score Friday was Cental 65, St. Charles 57. Jones scored all 30 of her points on two point field goals. She was 0/3 from the charity stripe.
Coming up next week: My Christmas greetings to friends and foes (which list do you think is longer?) and a special soccer announcement, which will put St. Charles County on the national soccer map. See ya next week.
First Capitol News High School Athlete of the Week
Courtney Champagne,
St. Charles West
5’ 5” Junior, Guard
Tuesday evening in the semifinals of the Nerinx Hall Invitational Tournament, St. Charles West found themselves down 34-21 at half-time. With the help of junior point guard Courtney Champagne, the Lady Warriors managed to secure a 48-46 come from behind victory. For her contributions in this unlikely win, Courtney has been selected The First Capitol News High School Athlete of the Week.
With whom do you live: My parents, Boo and Stacey Champagne, and my three younger brothers: Brannon (14), Chipper (10) and Trent (4).
How long have you been playing basketball/Where did you begin: I started playing basketball in the 4th grade for the St. Charles Flames. I stayed with them for 3 years and then began playing for the St. Louis Comets.
Favorite basketball moment: Definitely winning district last year, against Duchesne, our archrival, on our home court. It doesn’t get much better than that!
Favorite subject: Math
Favorite teacher: Mr. Voelkl, AP Literature teacher
Team goals this season: Return to the finals of district and hopefully win the Gateway Conference
Personal goals: Do whatever it takes to help the team achieve their goals. Its not about me, its about our team.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be: Someday I hope to travel throughout Europe; see as much of Europe as I possibly can
Favorite book: Divinci Code
Favorite movie: Billy Madison
Advice to underclassman: Stay focused and never let anyone tell you that you can’t do something
This week in high school sports…
Friday, December 9
Girls Basketball
St. Charles at Fort Zumwalt South, 7 p.m.
Boys Basketball
Wright City at Duchesne, 7:30 p.m.
Monday, December 12
Girls Basketball
Howell Central at Duchesne, 7 p.m.
Boys Basketball
Howell North at Pattonville, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, December 13
Girls Basketball
Elsberry at Orchard Farm, 7 p.m.
Washington at St. Charles, 7 p.m.
Troy at St. Charles West, 7:30 p.m.
Boys Basketball
Howell North at Zumwalt North, 5:30 p.m.
Orchard Farm at Valley Park, 6:30 p.m.
Duchesne at Howell Central, 7 p.m.
St. Charles at Washington, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, December 15
Girls Basketball
St. Charles West at Howell North, 7 p.m.
St. Charles at Howell Central, 7 p.m.
Friday, December 16
Girls Basketball
Montgomery County at Orchard Farm, 7 p.m.
Boys Basketball
Zumwalt West at Duchesne, 7:30 p.m.
Howell Central at St. Charles, 7:30 p.m.
Wrestling
St. Charles West at Raytown Invitational, 5 p.m.
RAGE GET SUPPORT IN MOVE TO SAVVIS
By Mike Thompson
I’ve never envied a writer who follows any type of formal gathering, a journalist who covers the social scene, or anyone assigned to string out a list of ‘who’s who’ in a newspaper article. They often run the risk of shaking too many hands, gathering too many names and invariably omitting someone important when the story goes to press. So rather than try to mention everyone at our party this past Tuesday night, I’ll gladly bypass the fugal attempt to name names, I’ll just say EVERYONE influential and important, and yo, did we ever have a great time!
The RiverCity Rage of the NIFL officially, this week, unveiled the banner that proclaimed this team one with the Savvis Center in downtown St. Louis. At the private residence of Dan McGuire, the C-E-O of Mac Meetings and Events, and with some special help from Colleen Barden, that organization’s Events Co-Coordinator, more than 75 business leaders, media types, and fans of the Rage gathered to hear St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay officially welcome the premier franchise in the NIFL to the St. Louis sports scene. His Honor invited the business leaders to ‘Release the Rage’ in 2006 by exploring ways to become involved with the team and promote their own venues in the process.
“The City of St. Louis is a great sports town and we have with us tonight a group of individuals who are hard core football fans. The Rage organization is working hard to insure that fans in the Gateway City will be able to enjoy exciting indoor football and lots of family fun at Savvis Center comes March of next year. I know I’m looking forward to going to some games and this is a great opportunity for you as business leaders to get involved with the success of the team and find ways to make it your own success as well.”
Hey, hey, the Mayor of St. Louis, with an official welcome, an open invitation, a pass to the Gateway to the West. And from start to finish, Tye Elliott and Scott Wilson, Rage Majority Owners, did it up right. Formal invitations were sent out about 10 days ago, cordially inviting these movers and shakers to a cocktail reception offered up to acquaint them with us and us with them. Some we already knew, some were curious about this new upstart team headed for new challenge and looking to earn it’s stripes playing with the big boys downtown. But all had one thing in common, and that was evident from the start. A love of football, the recognition of this team as a way to promote business and partnership in greater St. Louis, and hey, everyone loves a winner. These were winning businesspeople ready to hook up with a successful franchise, ready to tackle growth and success, ready to dive into an end zone of opportunity. From bank presidents to real estate developers to judges, doctors, lawyers, and yes, even several entrepreneurs...all there to explore, inquire and support.
Rage Majority Owner Scott Wilson offered these comments after Mayor Slay’s opening remarks....”It was one year ago this very day that the league informed both Tye and myself that our partnership, GST Sports, Inc. had been awarded the franchise, and since then the entire focus of this organization has been centered on bringing exciting, hard hitting, in-your-face football to the fans, along with providing family style all-round entertainment with our game night themes. We only see this coming season and our merge with Savvis Center as a chance for more success both on and off the field, in the community and with charitable causes. We’re up for the challenge, and it’s one I know this team will embrace.”
Before our guests enjoyed an open bar and buffet style food, Rage Majority owner Tye Elliott offered his comments to the crowd. “We saw our first example of how exciting things could be for us at Savvis last July when we played our opening round playoff game. We were disappointed with the result (a double overtime loss to Cincinnati) but the crowd couldn’t have been more loud, more uproarious, and so into the game all the way to the end. If we had won that game, there’s no doubt in my mind we would have packed the place the next weekend, It was then that Scott and I started working on ways to secure Savvis Center as the permanent home venue for the Rage. It’s happened, and now our coaches, players and everyone in the organization couldn’t be more thrilled. We’re ready to go.”
So, movin’ days a comin’.....but take it from someone who’s been around this team and worked with everyone involved for the past year...this football team, this franchise, would not be in the position it is in today had it not been for the loyal fans of the St. Charles area and the surrounding areas and counties. I know it, the owners know it, and chances are pretty good if you’re reading this article right now, you live in the aforementioned area....so, more than anyone or anything....YOU should know it!
This was a move precipitated by the opportunity to draw from a larger fan base and benefit from additional business connections in St. Louis....nothing more. In no way was it meant to even suggest a slap in the face of the St. Charles area. In truth, the team will still maintain headquarters in St. Charles, and continue to support and benefit from the vast number of business ventures in the area. I’ll still attend the BNI meetings at Culpeppers around the corner....we’ll still be involved in the Chamber of Commerce, and more now than ever, we’ll be looking for our loyal, hard core Rage fans to take the extra 15 minutes or so to head down the hiway and root for this team.
No, we haven’t forgotten where it began, and in many ways, still exists.....but growth is part of any business, any team. A good case in point is the Cardinals and a brand new Busch Stadium. Like many St. Louisians, I was sorry to see the old one go...I was there as a teenager for the 1966 All-Star Game....the ‘67 World Series...even camped out overnight with friends (and my steady at the time!) to be first in line for bleacher tickets for the ‘68 Fall Classic. Over the years, I saw many a game, some ordinary, some legendary, but I know in my heart that the first time I walk through the turnstiles at the new ballpark, I’ll be ready to embrace the Cardinal’s future, and I’ll be back again and again. So, because I love baseball, I’ll continue to be a fan because I understand the necessity of change, and mostly because I don’t want to miss out on Cardinal Nation, regardless of where it’s played.
That’s where we’re at with RiverCity Rage football, now and in the future. A change has been made, one we embrace and one we feel is necessary to take this team to the next level of success. But for you, the Rage fan, WHEREVER you may be, this football team belongs to YOU. Follow us into the exciting future....Release your Rage...and if you’re from the St. Charles or immediate areas, know that we would have been lost without you in the past....and will be in the future!!
Missouri River Otters Hockey
‘St. Nicholas’ Gives River Otters a Gift
Team Acquires UHL Veteran and Two Wins
By Louis J. Launer
When most of us were children growing up (if you grew up in a traditional German-American family), there was this “figure” who arrived around December 6 named St. Nicholas. There was something of that “character” roaming around South Main Street the last few weekends. Apparently, the real spirit of “St. Nick” arrived early for the Missouri River Otters organization and brought something important the team can use in December and maybe the rest of the season.
On Friday morning December 2, the team announced they signed Jim Duhart, who most recently played with the Flint Generals from 2000 to 2005, but has played with other UHL teams. Two days before, sportswriter Brendan Savage of the Flint Journal wrote in his newspaper after seeing Duhart in the stands at the Family Arena in Wednesday night’s game against the Flint Generals that Duhart was going to be acquired by the River Otters. The Otters did lose to Flint again and some evaluation had to be done to save this losing season.
Duhart is a 14-year United Hockey League veteran who has scored at least 30 goals in his last nine seasons. He played five seasons with Flint, although in 2004-05, he spent half of that season in playing for the Danbury [Connecticut] Trashers. His longest tenure in his career and his most famous was with Flint. Out of 321 games with the Generals, he scored 211 goals and recorded 175 assists. He’s also heavy on the penalties, having received 2,323 penalty minutes in 859 professional games. Duhart’s career started with the former Madison [Wisconsin] Monsters and later wound up with the Generals in 2001. In 1999-2000, Duhart was the key player with the Madison Kodiaks [the team changed names in 1999] to upset the heavily favored Flint Generals in the first-round of the Colonial Cup playoffs. After the Kodiaks moved to its current home of Kalamazoo to become the K-Wings, Duhart was sent to Flint.
Duhart’s performance as a goal scorer and a semi-enforcer with Flint helped the Generals remain as a playoff team the first few seasons. Although the team had been on the border of either making it to the playoffs most of those seasons, Duhart rekindled the traditional Flint-Quad City rivalry. His physical play and goal scoring gave Flint a chance against the Quad City Mallards, who was at that time enjoying a dynasty. Many long-time UHL fans remember an incident in 2001 in Moline, Illinois when the Generals visited the Mallards. At the end of the second period in a late-season game, a Quad City fan came out of the stands and into the area where the teams go to their dressing rooms and attacked Duhart. Generals fans didn’t like it a bit, and neither did most Quad City fans. But the incident fueled the continuation of the rivalry of both teams, even with Flint in 2003-04 and last season not making the playoffs.
River Otters head coach Kevin Kaminski welcomed the new veteran to the River Otters, hoping to save this season.
“Jim is a power forward who is a proven goal scorer in this league,” Kaminski said. “He is a physical player who we expect to help our team in all facets of the game.”
Jim Duhart did just that this past weekend. Ironically, the Quad City Mallards were in town for a Friday-Saturday set of games at Family Arena. Missouri has also had quite a rivalry with the Mallards over the years. But it was never totally intense. The only reason why there was any sense of rivalry was because both teams are close as far as driving distance (150 miles).
As usual, fans from the Quad Cities drove down to make an early Christmas weekend by visiting St. Charles. Most of those fans were expecting two easy wins from the struggling Otters. But last Friday’s game became a surprise to all fans.
Duhart didn’t hit the ice for his first shift until six minutes into the game. As a team, the Otters did show its usual inability to hold onto the puck, pass the puck and clearing the puck during shorthanded situations. At the 11:25 mark, Lars Pettersen scored first for the Otters, thanks to a Duhart pass. It was a rare moment for the Otters to score first in a game this season. Frank Littlejohn also serves on the same line with Pettersen and Duhart and picked up a rebounded puck to begin the scoring drive. At 2:15 of the second period, Littlejohn himself scored by picking up a puck the Mallards missed in their own zone. A 2-0 lead by the Otters over the Mallards in any game in the history of this rivalry is still very rare. Although by the middle of the second period, the Mallards evened it up and took the lead in the final minute of the second period, thanks to their leading goal scorer, Patrick Nadeau scoring unassisted at 19:40.
Fans noticed throughout the game that head coach Kevin Kaminski was not behind the bench for the Otters on Friday night. Kaminski was in the stands watching the game and evaluating players, seeing things from another location what he couldn’t see at ice level. Fans sensed that Kaminski is beginning to make some more big changes.
In the third period, Duhart finally showed his scoring ability, scoring two quick goals at 1:05 and 3:53. On those two goals, he got help from Damian Surma, who started centering the puck better. The River Otters had a third period lead, thanks to Duhart. But the Mallards’ Patrick Nadeau reminded everyone that the Mallards do not go down easily. At the 14:49 mark, Nadeau fired a slap shot behind goaltender Kevin Reiter with no River Otter near him. That tied the game at 4 and regulation play ended.
Fans wanted to see former River Otter goaltender Jason Tapp lose a game as a Mallard. The game came down to the rivalry between goaltenders in a shootout. Current River Otters goaltender Kevin Reiter and Tapp were teammates last season. Reiter proved that he was definitely back and his desire to be a starting goaltender for the River Otters. It took only four rounds, but Reiter stopped all four Mallards shots, including Patrick Nadeau’s final attempt as well as former River Otter Glenn Detullio. Tapp wasn’t lucky. Damian Surma and Frank Littlejohn scored for the River Otters, giving the team a 5-4 shootout victory and the first victory earned at Family Arena this season for the team.
“We needed it!” said an exhausted Kevin Kaminski, collecting the notes he made throughout the game. Kaminski noticed a lot of activity out on the ice from the upper deck of Family Arena. Would any more chances be made in the team? Kaminski didn’t say. But the acquisition of Jim Duhart could wind up being the beginning of a December jump start.
Duhart is on a path to achieve 500 goals in a career. His two goals last Friday were numbers 470 and 471. The following night, both teams met again at Family Arena. Lars Pettersen scored again, along with Tyler Butler that gave the Otters a 2-1 victory over the Mallards. The River Otters in six seasons have never beaten the Mallards twice in a row and in two straight games, even if it was a home-and-home series or two straight games either at home or on the road.
BAD BOYS: Fans were upset on Friday night when the River Otters’ Dave Stewart was called for a 5-minute major for spearing, which includes a game misconduct. Stewart claimed he didn’t spear anyone, but was escorted from the ice at the 12:13 mark of the first period. In Saturday’s game, Brad MacMillan picked on Mallards left-winger Jesse Rycroft at the 7:22 point of the second period. MacMillan did win the scrap, but wound up with a long sentence in the penalty box, receiving 2 minutes for instigating a fight, 5 minutes for actually fighting and a ten-minute misconduct. Fortunately in Saturday’s game, all of the scoring for the game was completed at 5:56 of the second period.
FAMILY ARENA SOUND SYSTEM: In Friday’s game, there was a report that UHL off-ice game officials who track scoring, count shots and serve as game spotters, could not communicate with each other because the public address system was considered to be “too loud.” Those in charge of the sound system at the arena turned off two speakers on one side of the arena, primarily the penalty box and press end, making it difficult for fans (who usually sit on that side of the arena) to hear any announcement made during the game. Fans did complain to the arena officials, who said that the UHL officials threatened to walk out of the arena and not cover the game if they didn’t have their way. The sound system is being worked on and hopefully will be rectified in time for the UHL’s All-Star Game in January.
Lindenwood University’s Kara Wall Named NAIA Volleyball All American
Senior middle hitter Kara Wall from Ballwin, Missouri and graduate of JF Kennedy High School was named to the 2005 Volleyball NAIA All American team. This marks the third year in a row that Kara has received this honor.
Kara received this honor due to being named 2005 Player of the Year in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) where she led the conference with over 4.5 kills per game while also being among the leaders in blocking and service aces. Wall is a four time 1st Team All Conference (HAAC) and 1st Team All Region V selection. She was last year’s runner-up for player of the year. She is Lindenwood University’s all time volleyball attack leader with over 2200 kills.
She is a two time NAIA Scholar Athlete and Lindenwood University’s 2003-04 Female Scholar Athlete.
The Lindenwood University Volleyball Lady Lions finished the season with a 31-8 record. They took 1st place in the HAAC with a 10-0 record and 4th in the region.
For information about the volleyball program please contact Coach Ron Young at 636-949-4634 or ryoung@lindenwood.edu.
Seven Lions Earn NAIA Soccer Post-Season Honors
Three Lindenwood University men’s soccer players and three women’s soccer players recently received recognitions for their performances this fall.
Ignacio Novas, a junior from Montevideo, Uruguay was named to the First Team NAIA All-America Team. Novas the 2004 NAIA National Player of the Year.
Martin Barreiro, a senior also from Montevideo, Uruguay and Pedro Chain, a junior from Buenos Aires, Argentina both received NAIA Honorable Mention All-America Honors.
The defending NAIA National Champion Lindenwood Men’s team advanced to the elite final eight at the NAIA National Championship before losing to eventual National Champion, Lindsey Wilson 2-0. Freshman Bryce Flynn (Tulsa, OK) was named to the National Championship All-Tournament Team.
The men’s soccer team finished the year with a 21st place final ranking and an 11-6-4 record.
The Lindenwood women’s team ended a very successful season finishing 17-3-1.
Senior Lisa van Middlesworth (St. Louis Rosary/Trinity), the 2005 Heart of America Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year, and junior Becky Ryan (St. Louis Notre Dame), received NAIA Honorable mention All-America honors.
Junior Caitlin Hoeh (Perryville) received NAIA All-America Scholar-Athlete recognition.
A Long East Coast Road Trip A Big Success For Lindenwood’s Women’s Ice Hockey Team
The Women’s Ice Hockey team took a very long trip to the East Coast this past weekend with four games in four days against the top two teams from the east coast in the ACHA.
The first two games of the trip were at UMASS against the $5 team in the country. “We did have our concerns about that game. After a 20-hour bus ride overnight we didn’t know how we would come out. I was very impressed with our entire team. We came out pretty strong. We were able to get rid of the bus legs in that first period and after that we were playing our game the rest of the night, said head coach Vince O’Mara. The Lady Lions won that first game by a score of 6-1. The line of Kat Hannah, Amy Dlugos and Melanie Keith led the way offensively for the Lady Lions while freshman goaltender Michelle Borsa stood tall in the nets. She was helped out by standout defense from Veronica Metcalf, Sarah Wilkinson, Katy Paul, Nikki Rasmussen, Tanishah Bardai and Kristen Prest.
Game two against UMASS the Lady Lions saw themselves down by a goal at the end of the first period. “Going into the locker room after that period, the girls were not happy about being down by a goal. We came out in the second and had a much better period and finished them off with a great third period,” O’Mara said. The final core was LU 6 – MASS 1. Jennell Stam was strong in nets and the offense was led by a dominant performance from Katie Kells. Other standouts in the game were Katy Paul, Robbyn Keating, Kat Hannah and Amy Dlugos.
Games three and four of the weekend had the lady Lions up against the #5 ranked University of Rhode Island. After a short two and a half hour trip to Rhode Island the Lady Lions faced of against URI. The first game was a very hard fought battle that saw the visiting team on top at the end 4-1. “We knew going into this set of games that we would know where we stand in the ACHA. URI is a very talented team that has been a top team in the country for the past several years. Our team was up to the challenge and played very well,” O’Mara said. Jennelle Stam faced 22 shots on goal and only allowed one goal. While up front the line of Katie Kells, Marie Blanc and Kristen Dlugos had a great outing. Other offensive players like Charmaine Gosselin, Crystal Coval, Molly Hanson and Dawn Dyer had very good outings. On defense the Lady Lions were led by Veronica Metcalf, Katy Paul and Sarah Wilkinson.
The fourth and final game of the weekend was just as strong for Lindenwood as the previous three. With the final score reading LU 5 – URI 1. In this game, Lindenwood was out shot 39 to 23. Michelle Borsa looked very strong in net. The offense had a lot of layers that had great games. Kat Hannah, Amy Dlugos, Melanie Keith, Katie Kells, Marie Blanc, Kristen Dlugos and Lindsay Gordon led the way. While on defense Sarah Wilkinson, Tanishah Bardai, Veronica Metcalf, Nikki Rasmussen, Katy Paul and Kristen Prest were very strong.
With four straight victories in four days against top teams, coaches Vince O’Mara and Rick Pratt were very pleased. “With the four victories this weekend we were very happy, but more than that, we were pleased with the way each and every person did their job to contribute on and off the ice. We have a great bunch of student athletes that not only had to be ready for four tough games but also had to find time to study for finals week. The hockey is enough of a test for most people – now put the long travel and studies in there and you can see why we are so proud of this group. We have a lot of hard work ahead of us to be able to complete for a National Championship, but this was a great move in the right direction,” O’Mara said.
