Oct. 10 local sports report: CEBL; Generals football; Minor hockey; NF marathon
Joe Raso, shown in background, is the newly appointed director of basketball operations by the Canadian Elite Basketball League.
Former Niagara River Lions head coach Joe Raso has been named the director of basketball operations by the Canadian Elite Basketball League on Tuesday.
Raso will lead the league’s domestic and international player procurement, oversee the draft, direct team and player compliance issues, supervise officiating, and play a lead role in the CEBL’s relationships with FIBA, Canada Basketball, other basketball bodies, and with player agents.
“To retain someone of Joe Raso’s stature to lead basketball operations is a landmark addition for the Canadian Elite Basketball League, and reflects exceptionally well on what our league has done in only five months of existence and where we’re heading,” CEBL CEO Morreale said. “For more than 35 years, Joe has been recognized for his contributions and achievements at every level of basketball around the world.”
The Hamilton resident is the winningest coach in McMaster University history and one of the most successful Canadian university coaches with a record of 389-155.
The current head scout of Canadian men’s national team and advance scout with the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks is happy to be joining the CEBL.
“The CEBL is going to be an entertaining league that allows Canadian fans nationally the opportunity to enjoy professional basketball that will include Canadian and international talent playing together in great facilities,” he said. “The development of this league, with its solid corporate administration and commitment to entertainment and the development or basketball, is very important to me.”
NIAGARA GENERALS
The atom squad was the only Niagara Generals football team to record a victory in games played hit past Saturday at Kiwanis Field.
GENERALS 27 DOLPHINS 14
Ezekiel Langendoen recorded three touchdowns and a convert to power the Niagara Generals atom football team to a 27-14 victory over the Durham Dolphins.
Hudson Grant added a major for the Generals and Cameron Kotyk contributed a two-point convert.
Niagara’s defence played a sound game, forcing turnovers and plenty of fourth downs to contributed to a much-need win.
Strong performances were turned in by Isabella Dimichele, Carter Smith, Charlie Vansoelen and Jak Buckland.
JUNIOR MUSTANGS 72 GENERALS 8
Austin MacRae had a touchdown and a two-point convert as the Niagara Generals peewee squad fell 72-8 to the London Junior Mustangs.
“Although the score does not show it, our boys played a very hard-fought game,” coach Bruce MacRae said. “I am proud of these boys.”
Calm (Sunshine) Smith had an interception for the Generals and J.J. Dimicheal recorded a number of tackles in the backfield.
PREDATORS 34 GENERALS 0
Cole Stewart and Jasper Johns had fumble recoveries but it wasn’t enough as the Niagara Generals bantam Tier 2 football team lost 34-0 to the Waterloo Predators.
Joey Dilse and Liam McAvoy added interceptions for Niagara.
JUNIOR MUSTANGS 39 GENERALS 19
Jackson Stewart tossed three touchdown passes in a losing cause as the Niagara Generals bantam Tier 1 football team was defeated 39-18 by the London Junior Mustangs.
Nick Longo had a pair of TD receptions and Quinn Johnston had the other. Lucas Hazelton added an interception for Niagara and Ryan Broome contributed a convert.
TIGERS TAKE TWO
The Welland Mike Knapp Ford Tigers novice A hockey team opened the Niagara District Hockey League Novice A Division season with 10-0 wins over Niagara-on-the-Lake and St. Catharines.
Leading the way versus Niagara-on-the-Lake were: Mackenzie Welychka, goal and two assists; Dylan Wood, two goals and three assists; Liam Seguin, two goals; Ethan Rousseau, hat trick; Jordan Hotham and Mark Chambers, goals; and, Brady Matte with the shutout.
Contributing versus St. Catharines were: Welychka, hat trick and assist; Wood, two goals; Ryan Rousseau, goal and assist; Sebastien Boucher, two goals and one assist; Blake Hudak, goal and two assists; Fernando Levert, goal and assist; and, Jackson MacLeod with the shutout.
NIAGARA FALLS MARATHON
The Niagara Falls International Marathon is back Sunday with the Tim Hortons International Marathon road race starting in Buffalo, N.Y., and finishing in Niagara Falls.
The day also includes half marathon and 10k races and the Great Canadian-American 5k Challenge.
Everyone runner registered for the 5k race with a Canadian or American address will automatically be added to their national teams. After the race, organizers will analyze and average out finish times (so every runner counts) and declare the fastest country.
“We really wanted to do something that celebrates our running communities on both sides of the border,” said Diane Chesla, co-race director. “We thought a little friendly competition with bragging rights and the name of our five-kilometre race hanging in the balance would be a great way to bring our running communities together.”
There are still spots available in all of the NFIM road races. Register online at www.niagarafallsmarathon.com/register-2.
