Well-timed trip to Toronto for Titans
As expected, the Corner Brook Titans won the 2015 Hall of Fame Cup, firmly establishing themselves as the best high school boys basketball team in the province.
And while the Titans dominate the local hoop scene, coach Frank Foo understands there’s more work to be done to develop his players to the best of their abilities.
The Titans recently returned from a trip to Toronto where they lost a couple of games to local club teams, one by five points and another by 20.
Foo told his players they were in the Big Smoke to learn, and he feels that was accomplished.
“I said before the trip that if I can pick up one thing, then that’s one extra thing we know,” said Foo, whose son, Daniel, plays for the Memorial Sea-Hawks.
Frank Foo said the trip showed the team what else it needs to do to get to the next level.
“The teams we played were athletic and physical,” said Foo. “The difference was their strength and quickness. They play a very inyour-face, up-tempo game. That’s something we have to work on and try to improve.”
The trip was well worth while, he said. “There are some things I picked up on that I can implement into our training program.”
Brownie points
Entertaining movie “McFarland, USA” could do for cross-country running what “Breaking Away” did for cycling in the late 1970s ... The Corner Brook Titan’s Nathan Barker, who has a habit of winning tournament MVP awards, won another one at the 2015 Hall of Fame Cup, where he scored 30 points in the final. He should be a priority recruit for MUN. The Sea-Hawks can’t afford to let him get away ... The Booth Braves’ Kelsey Moore, MVP of the Hall of Fame Cup female division, is committed to Memorial for next fall. “That’s it right now,” said SeaHawks coach Doug Partridge regarding recruits. “Otherwise, we’re focused on the future, younger players and some players who may try to walk on.” ... I don’t know what’s more annoying: female voices screaming in curling or grunting in tennis. And when you turn down the TV, you can’t hear the commentators ... I’m amazed at the crowds that watch pro darts on TV and in various arenas in the U.K. Last March, darts history was made in Leeds as a record 11,000 spectators showed up for Premier League play. And the fans go nuts ... What’s going on with curling in this province? Juniors Sarah Hill and
Stephen Trickett each won three games at the nationals. Hill earned the right to represent the province by beating clubmate Megan Kearley three times out of four games because the were no other teams. All
Brad Gushue had to do to represent the province at the Brier was to defeat Gary Wensman of Labrador City three times. Heather Strong could only win four games at the national Scotties for the second year in a row. Clearly, the sport is in trouble at every level of the game. And the sport’s emphasis is on bringing the Brier back to St. John’s? Seems to me the executive’s priority is misplaced ... The World Rugby Sevens Series is coming to Vancouver Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium in March, 2016. ... Kudos for
Kenn Oliver’s coverage of the Canada Winter Games. Not only does he have the spirit of the Games, he keeps it under his pillow. ... Local soccer’s Brian Walsh and buddies headed to England. Heaven help those folks.