Calgary Herald from Calgary, Alberta, Canada • 86

SPORTS CALGARY HERALD Thursday, September 12, 2002 F5 CURLING NBA Martin plays waiting game Webber pleads not guilty JIM IRWIN The Associated Press DETROIT WCT, CCA talks progressing ALLEN CAMERON Calgary Herald Chris Webber, the $i23-million star of the Sacramento Kings, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges of lying to a grand jury and obstructing justice. Webber is accused of interfering with the grand jury's investigation of former University of Michigan booster Ed Martia Martia a retired autoworker, says he lent Webber $280,000 while the basketball standout was in high school and at Michigan. The 29-year-old i Webber was a member of the "Fab Five" in the early 1990s, when the Wolverines went to two NCAA title games. He is starting the sec Kevin Martin remains committed to curling's Grand Slam circuit But the two-time Brier champ from Edmonton isn't ruling out a return to the men's playdown circuit as early as this coming seasoa Martin, one of the Slam's biggest backers, said Wednesday that he's so encouraged by the progress of talks between the World Curling Tour and Canadian Curling Association that he could be back battling for a Purple Heart next winter after bypassing play-downs last season to participate in the inaugural four-event Grand Slam circuit. "I do know that things are progressing pretty nicely right now," said Martin from his Edmonton curling supply store.

"Geez, I'd love it to be resolved. I'm a bit more optimistic than I was before. It looks pretty good that this is all going to get ironed out pretty fast," If that happens, Martin the Olympic silver-medallist and 17 other teams who reportedly had committed to compete exclusively on the Slam circuit this Quotable season wiii be back in the play-down mix, not to 66 mention eligible for the first I IT1 3 Dlt Canada Cup cash mnrp competition next II1UIC January in Kam- optimistic loops, b.c thin u-ic not Mar" inaniuaS tin team (third before Uoil Walchuk, second Carter Rycroft, lead Don Kevin Martin Bartlett) risks losing its Sport Canada funding approximately $1,100 per player per month tax-free if it doesn't participate in the play-downs. "To date, we haven't formally made any decision (to skip playdowns)," said Martin. "But I've always felt strongly that if you expect to be one of the best teams in the world, then you'd better play against the best teams.

"I've left everything opea As I sit Jul 7 I ik Herald Archive, Reuters Edmonton skip Kevin Martin is keeping close tabs on talks between the World Curling Tour and the Canadian Curling Association. Regardless, the Olympic silver medallist is planning to return the Grand Slam circuit. More cash up for grabs in Autumn Gold showdown ALLEN CAMERON Calgary Herald The Husky Autumn Gold women's cashspiel will be a little bit more golden this year. The event, which celebrates its 25th anniversary Oct to 14 at the Calgary Curling Club, will offer an all-time high $48,000 purse to the 32-team field, including a top prize of $12,500. "We were lucky enough to get a few more major sponsors on board and we did some fancy recruiting in terms of getting finances," said event chairman Russ Bischoff, whose wife, Cheryl Bernard, fin ond year of a Chris Webber seven-year, $123- million contract with the Kings.

Webber spoke only once at Wednes- day's hearing, saying "yes" when U.S. magistrate Virginia Morgan asked if he. understood the charges against him. His lawyer, Steven Fishman of Detroit, told Morgan his client was pleading' not guilty. Morgan released Webber on a $10,000 unsecured bond and sched-' uled a pretrial conference for Sept.

26. Webber was indicted Monday along with his father and his aunt. They did not appear at Wednesday's Arraignment dates have not yet been set for Webber's father, Mayce Webber Martin, 68, has said he lent large amounts of money to Webber and other Michigan basketball players, including two who admitted taking it. Webber has said he received only small amounts of money, mostly under $50. The three defendants all face the same two charges lying to a grand jury and obstructing justice.

The maximum penalty on each charge is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. 1 Stackhouse deal boosts Wizards offence Herald News Services The Detroit Pistons traded Jerry Stackhouse to the Washington Wizards in a six-player NBA deal Wednesday. The Pistons sent Stackhouse, forward Brian Cardinal and centre Ratko Varda to the Wizards for shooting guard Richard Hamilton, forward Bobby Simmons and guard Hubert Davis. In essence, the Wizards are trading the future for the present as Michael Jordan prepares for one last shot at another NBA title. Hamilton is considered on the brink of all-star status, while Stackhouse is already there.

Stackhouse, a two-time all-star selection, has a career scoring average over seven NBA seasons of 21.2 points, the highest among any player taken in the 1995 draft. Drafted third overall by Philadelphia, he was traded to Detroit in 1997. His best season came in 2000-01, when he finished second in the league with a 29.8-point average. Strickland joins Pacers Spurned by Indiana as an undrafted free agent six years ago, Erick Strickland signed a one-year contract with the Pacers on Wednesday. The six-foot-three Strickland averaged 7.7 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists for Boston last seasoa helping the Celtics reach the playoffs for the first time in seven years.

FBI joins investigation The FBI has launched an investigation into the disappearance of former Detroit Pistons centre Bison Dele and his girlfriend during a boating trip in the Pacific Oceaa Dele, girlfriend Serena Karlan and boat captain Bertrand Saldo have been missing for two months, said Andrew Black, spokesman for the FBI's San Francisco office. Dele played with Detroit and Chicago. His 17-metre sail boat was scheduled to sail from Moorea. Tahiti to Honolulu and was Last reported near Tahiti The Coast Guard is searching for the boat Shaq undergoes surgery After almost three months of indeci-sioa ShaquiUe O'Neal finally had surgery on his chronically sore big toe Wednesday and could miss the beginning of the seasoa Recovery and rehabilitation time for the Los Angeles Lakers centre is expected to be six-to-eight weeks, said Dr. Robert Mohr, who removed bone spurs from a joint on the arthritic right big he.

here today, I believe every option is still open. By now, normally we'd have all our flights booked, hotels booked, entry fees paid for the seasoa It's a little unusual, you bet." Ironically, the WCT and CCA have mostly resolved their issues; the stumbling blocks are with the provincial curling associations specifically, getting them to schedule playdowns on a uniform basis across the country and to seed teams directly into provincials based on world rankings. CCA vice-president Don Petlak said Wednesday that the issue of playdown scheduling is nearing resolution, although it won't happen soon because most provincial associations have their championships already booked for at least the next two seasons. "We've always been open to a deal" said Petlak from his High River home. "We've never said to any of the players that you couldn't play in our events.

I would like very much to have this thing resolved and I'll do whatever I can in my role as vice-president to see that it happens." Should the issues remain unresolved or even if they are, for that matter the WCT is going forward with another Slam seasoa with announcements on dates, locations and fields as well as a title sponsor expected next week. The sponsorship deal would give the WCT corporate backing it lacked last $eason after General Motors got out of curling following the 2000-01 seasoa But, WCT executive-director Chad McMullan said Wednesday, the success of last year's Slam events opened a lot of doors in corporate Canada. "We've shown that we're here to stay," iaid McMullaa "Last year's Grand Slam vas more successful than anybody could have imagined, including ourselves. It's much easier (dealing with potential sponsors) because we now have something we can show them. Last year it was an idea now we've got film, we've got numbers on paper." CAMERONA rHEHERALD.SOUTHAM.CA Olympic bronze-medallist Kelley Law of New Westminster, B.C, Swiss champion Nicole Strausak of Bern and Scott Tournament of Hearts runner-up Sherry Anderson of Delisle, Sask.

Local contenders are headed by Bernard, Shannon Kleibrink and Renelle Brydea Top prize in the triple-knockout Autumn Gold will be $12,500, with $9,500 going to second place. Those numbers place the 'spiel in the top two or three in the country in terms of cash payouts. Added incentive for Alberta teams will be gaining points towards qualifying for the inaugural Canada Cup next January in Kamloops, B.C Ten women's teams will qualify and play for a purse of $110,000. The top Alberta team based on results from the Autumn Gold, the Lethbridge Pot of Gold and Community Savings Ladies Curling Classic in Red Deer will get an invite to Kamloops. Tough reception for TV deal The Women's Curling Tour heads into the new season with no title sponsor and, as a result, no television coverage.

Bernard, the Tour's marketing director, said Wednesday finding corporate backers hasn't been easy. "There's been rumours of Whirlpool and that hasn't been confirmed yet," said Bernard. "It's a tough selL Women's curling did well last year, but it's still tough because there's no television and it seems to go hand in hand." Fundraiser set for March Bernard also is the honorary chairwoman of the inaugural Curling for a Cure celebrity fundraiser March 14 and 15 at the Calgary Winter Club, with all proceeds going to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundatioa The Law team headlines the list of entries for the pro-am 'spiel and Bernard said Wednesday Guy Hem-mings also has been approached to participate. "It's going to be a great event said Bernard. "We're getting good support from curlers and sponsors, and it's all for a terrific cause." If you're interested in curling in, or sponsoring, the event, contact Leanne Pipchuck at the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation at 209-2233.

Gowsell gets call Calgary's Paul Gowsell will skip Kevin Martin's team at the Oslo Cup cashspiel later this month in Norway. Martin couldn't spare the time to make the trip to Europe. Randy Fer-bey's Canadian and world championship team from Edmonton also will play at the Oslo cashspieL Brier bid to be approved The Canadian Curling Association will hold a rare board meeting outside of Ottawa early next month in Calgary. Among the items on the agenda will be a rubber-stamp of Saskatoon's bid to host the 2004 Nokia Brier. ished runner-up to Edmonton's Cathy King at last year's Autumn Gold.

King heads the field this year, although with a completely new lineup (third Lori Olson, second Kristie Moore Cheryl Bernard and lead Tracy Bush) from the one that won the provincial title last seasoa King's former 'mates also will be at the Autumn gold Lawnie Mac-Donald will throw second stone for Heather Nedohin, while long-time front-enders Brenda Bohmer and Kate Home assume the same positions for Deb Santos. Other notable entries include COLLEGE HOC KEY Trojans count on Bennefield to light it up where," said Babey. "He is the type of player that coaches need to be aware of when he is on the ice. We feel it is going to be a great situation for him." The Calgarian will get his first chance to shine this week, as the Eye-Opener men's hockey tournament kkks off today at the SATT arena. "We at SAIT go into every season looking to win the championship said Babey, who has claimed three ACAC titles as a Trojaa "We had some good bounces and great players last year.

I believe we have a more balanced attack this seasoa "The challenge ahead of us and never is anything for sure." SATT plays its first game of the tournament Friday at 7:30 pm. against the University of British Columbia. DUSTIN RUMOHR Calgary Herald Jesse Bennefield could be money in the bank for this year's SATT Trojans hockey squad. Torching the Alberta Junior Hockey League for 105 points last season with the Canmore Eagles, the heat will be on Bennefield to produce for the Trojans and fast. "I expect them to want me to score goals," said Bennefield, 21, during Wednesday's practice at the SAIT arena.

"I had a great year last year and I know why I am here. "Throughout my career, I have never won a championship that is why I came here to SATT. They have a great program and starts from the coaches and works dowa" Bennefield will be expected to fill some large shoes, including SAITs leading scorer last year Lyle Steen-bergea "I just want to contribute wherever I can," said Bennefield. "SATT has a lot of returning guys and these are players that I can look up to. "With them winning the ACAC (Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference) last season a lot of eyes are going to be on this team.

"My personal goals are going to be to put the puck in the net," he said. "You could say I have a tag attached to my name to score, but that is what I am here to da" Ken Babey, who enters his 15th year at the reins of the program, said his rookie forward has the tools to "step in and take control" of a club that could feature as many as 12 rookies. "Beiinefieki can score firm any Can BickneR. Calgary Herald forward Jesse Bennefield hopes to carry a hot stick when he opens the next chapter on his hckey career. RL(VK0 a TMfRAUSOUTHAM.CA.