Times Colonist from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada • 60

E10 Times Colonist Saturday April 7 2001 Sports Whitfield named city's male athlete of the year i "1 sn' S'n 1 --if U.S. NCAA track and field at the Uni-versity of Oregon, and Oak Bay basketball and track star Anthony Beer. At the other end of the age scale, Ken Bonner was named Victoria masters athlete of 2000 for setting numerous longdistance cycling records. The other nominees in a category open to individuals or teams were the 2000 B.C. masters champion Victoria Athletics soccer team, which included former World Cup players Ian Bridge and George Pakos, and the B.C.

and Western Canadian masters softball champion Victoria Athletics, with a roster which included former Payless senior 'A' stars such as Reg Underwood. Kathy Shields' 2000 Canadian champion UVic Vikes women's basketball team got the nod as team of the year. The other nominees were the Oak Bay Castaway-Wanderers, the former bottom dwellers who rose to win the 2000 B.C. Premier League rugby championship and contribute four players to Team Canada, and the Canadian champion UVic Vikes women's field hockey team. Alan Neal, co-winner of the B.C.

minor hockey league coach of the year award for 2000, was named sportsperson of the year. Former women's national team volleyball coach Vic Lindal, the CBC colour commentator for the sport at four Summer Olympics and nicknamed Mr. Volleyball, was honoured with the Distinguished Service Award for longtime service. who won the silver medal at the 2000 world championships before finishing fifth at the Sydney Olympics, and Sydney Olympic bronze-medallist eights rowers Buffy Alexander, Laryssa Biesenthal and Theresa Luke, who were nominated as a single entry because it is near impossible to differentiate between rowers in a crew. The 2000 Ironman Hawaii second-place women's finisher Lori Bowden, the 1998 and 1999 Victoria female athlete of the year, was ineligible for the 2000 award because of a rule prohibiting an individual from winning three years in a row.

The Victoria junior athlete of the year award went to Clare Hall-Patch, road race silver medallist at the 2000 world junior cycling championships. The other nominees were Brent McMahon, the world junior duathlon silver medallist and Canadian junior triathlon champion who is already being tabbed as the Next Simon, and Kyle Greentree, the local minor hockey product who had an impact rookie season in junior with the Victoria Salsa. Chris Trumpy, angular and round-shouldered in the classic fashion of so many good athletes, was named high school athlete of the year for his starring turn last year as an all-rounder in basketball, rugby and cross country at Oak Bay Secondary. The other nominees were also all-rounders Claremont Secondary javelin, basketball and volleyball star Roslyn Lundeen, headed next season for By Cleve Dheensaw Times Colonist sports staff From his pulsating finishing kick last September for Summer Olympic gold in the shadow of the Sydney Opera House, to the Princess Mary on Friday night, Simon Whitfield was named Victoria male athlete of the year for 2000. The Victoria sports awards banquet was the 34th annual.

Whitfield's Olympic gold medal from Sydney was a piece of triathlon cake compared to winning these kinds of awards has been this spring. Whitfield finished second in balloting to golfer Mike Weir for the Canadian Press male athlete of the year and second to Sydney Olympic wrestling gold-medallist Daniel Igali in voting for each of the Lou Marsh national athlete of the year award, Norton Crow national amateur male athlete of the year award and the B.C. athlete of the year award. But there was no second place on Friday as Whitfield was named Victoria male athlete for 2000 in balloting conducted by the sports media in Greater Victoria. The other finalists were 1999 Victoria male athlete of the year and 2000 Iron-man Hawaii world champion Peter Reid and Sydney Olympic 800-metre runner Zach Whitmarsh.

Lindsay Brooke, the popular little point-guard with the big game, was named Victoria female athlete for 2000 for her key role in leading the UVic Vikes Simon Whitfield poses before the Victoria Sports Awards banquet at the Princess Mary Friday night Darren StoneTimes Colonist to last year's Canadian university Brooke beat out fellow finalists Ali-women's basketball title. son Sydor, the mountain biking legend NBA Jones goes for gold today Webber leads offence as Kings top Grizzlies i I Jones and her rink of Kim Kelly, Mary-Anne Waye and Nancy Delahunt. Denmark scored three in the fifth end on Bid-strup's draw for a commanding 5-2 lead. But the Canadians rallied to tie the game 5-5 with three in the sixth. Then, in the seventh, Jones went ahead 7-5 with a steal of two after Bidstrup's draw attempt slid too far.

"The funny thing is that it never felt tough," said Jones. "Even when they scored three in the fifth I thought that we could come back. "I didn't have a sense of 'Here we go I didn't feel a panic. We all felt that we could beat this team even though it might have looked ugly at halftime." Denmark rallied with one in the eighth to cut Jones' lead to 7-6. But the Canadian squad put the game away with three more in the ninth.

"When the pressure was on them to make other than the routine hits, they started getting a little nervous," Jones said. "I knew that it (Jones' shot in ninth end) would win it. "This team coming home four up is really comfortable." Jones' march to the final the Halifax rink has won seven straight looked improbable earlier this week. The Canadian squad opened the round-robin schedule by losing its first two games, including a 7-6 extra-end decision to Denmark. "We feel like we're riding a wave," said Jones.

"We just have this belief that it's our turn." LAUSANNE, Switzerland (CP) It took three tries, but Canada's Colleen Jones has finally reached the women's final at the world curling championships. The Halifax skip advanced with a 10-6 semifinal victory over Denmark's Lene Bidstrup on Friday. The championship berth is particularly sweet for Jones, who had finished fifth in both of her previous world tournament appearances: 1982 in Geneva and 1999 in Saint John, N.B. Jones will take on Sweden's Anette Norberg in today's final (CBC, 1 p.m. Norberg defeated Scotland's Julia Ewart 8-4 in the other semifinal Friday.

Canada has won a tournament-high 1 1 women's titles. Sweden is second with six. "Silver doesn't count for us," a jubilant Jones said after her semifinal win. "I don't think that puts extra pressure on us, we just want nothing but gold so badly we can taste it. "If we don't win it, we're going to leave here every bit as disappointed as when we lost in Saint John.

Curling is such a humbling game and anything can happen in a one-shot game, but we do feel like we really deserve this. We've worked really hard for it." B.C.'s Kelley Law won last year's crown. Edmonton's Randy Ferbey takes on Switzerland's Andreas Schwaller in men's semifinal action today (6 a.m. TSN). Friday's win didn't come easily for Vancouver plays at Denver on Saturday before returning home for what could be the team's final homestand, with games against the Minnesota Timber-wolves (April 10), Portland Trailblazers (April 12) and Houston Rockets (April 14).

The Kings pulled out to an early seven-point lead in the opening quarter before Jon Barry was given a technical foul for arguing the official's call, and Bibby hit two of four free throws for a 28-27 Vancouver lead heading into the second. The Kings went on a 17-5 run early in the second quarter and a 6-0 run late for a 61-49 lead at the half. Sacramento ran away with it in the second-half, outscoring the Grizzlies 31- 15 in the third for a commanding 92-64 lead, and coasted from there. Notes: The Grizzlies were without Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, who was sidelined with back spasms The Kings are 8-8 on the second night of back-to- 1 back games this season The Grizzlies are 0-3 against the Kings this season and 5-18 over the history of the franchise Sacramento is 19-0 when shooting bet- ter than 50 per cent from the field The Grizzlies and Kings match up one more time this season, April 16 in Sacramento. VANCOUVER (CP) Chris Webber scored 36 points and Doug Christie added 18 as the Sacramento Kings defeated the Vancouver Grizzlies 1 18-90 at GM Place on Friday.

Predag Stojakovic added 17 points for the Kings (51-24), who won their second straight game. The Kings, battling the L.A. Lakers for first place in the Pacific Division, are five wins shy of a franchise record for most wins in a season. The Kings '55 victories came in 1963-64 when the team was the Cincinnati Royals. Damon Jones scored 17 points, including five three-pointers, off the bench to lead the Grizzlies (22-54), who are 2-2 in their past four games.

Many of Vancouver's starters sat in the fourth quarter, including Mike Bibby, who finished 4-of-10 from the field for 10 points, and Michael Dickerson, who had 13 points. Despite the loss, Vancouver remains one game shy of setting a new franchise record for most wins in a season. The crowd of 14,863 fans didn't include owner Michael Heisley, who had indicated he wanted to attend one more Grizzlies home game before the end of the season. Heisley, however, decided against an appearance at GM Place after conferring with league officials and arena security. Colleen Jones celebrates her semifinal victory over Denmark in Lausanne, Switzerland on Friday.

Andrew VaughanCanadian Press Wang has Maverick fans shouting Cfu6 i i i S1BC1 9 Holes i i i S3DBD4fcr A 18 Holes I it. v-K i 1,1 II ill -I i For Fee-Time reservations call G5B-1433 Nj-ril 9-April DALLAS (AP) Chalupas are big in Dallas. In time, Wang Zhizhi could become even bigger. The NBA's first Chinese-born player had a small role in the Mavericks' 108-94 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday night. In his eight-minute debut, Wang scored six points and grabbed three rebounds.

Most important to Mavericks' fans, Wang scored Dallas's 100th and 101st points, securing a free chalupa for those in attendance as part of a fast-food promotion. "He went from the new guy from China to the Chalupa Boy, and that's special around here," Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said. The free treat is becoming a fan favourite in Dallas. One fan's sign read: "Wang's first English lesson: Cha-lu-pas." Before hitting the chalupa-clinching jumper, Wang had energized the Reunion Arena sellout crowd of 18,187. said, "China is proud of you," which was attached to a Chinese flag.

Four kids painted Wang's name on their chests and chants of "We want Wang," began in the second quarter. He entered the game to a standing ovation with 26.8 seconds left in the first half Wang was only 2-of-5 from the field, but his debut left his coaches, teammates and opponents impressed. "It was great," said Mavericks guard Steve Nash of Victoria. "I'm happy for him and it was a historic day for the NBA and for China. "He plays so aggressively and so confidently that he made us all proud of him." Hawks coach Lon Krueger was surprised by Wang's skills.

"I think it shows a lot of courage to come to another country and the NBA and step up there and shoot with confidence as he did," Krueger said. "He's got good instincts and a good feel." Present this coupon to receive 2 for 1 special or regular priced greenfees. Wang Zhizhi talks to Steve Nash during the game against the Atlanta Hawks in Dallas. Bill JanschaAssociated Press There were two signs in Chinese, one that read, "Your buddies are here," and another that mpycd 'OafQolj C(u6 i i 1 540 Marsett Place PLAYOFF rJ4 HOCKEY ACTION TODAY 5:00 RM. MEMORIAL ARENA The 8th Annual RELAY FOR A FRIEND is the ultimate community event.

It's a family activity that anyone can participate in, from the very youngest to the most senior. Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 12, 2001 UVic Centennial Stadium 9 am 3 pm 382-8078 Kemp checks into drug rehab PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) There were moments when Shawn Kemp made significant contributions to the Portland Trail Blazers' quest for an NBA title, and others when the former all-star simply embarrassed himself on the court. But few expected the 3 1-year-old forward's first season in Portland to end so ignominiously, leaving the team to check himself into a drug rehabilitation program. Kemp will be treated for cocaine abuse and won't return this season.

Since Kemp volunteered for the program he will continue on full salary, Blazers general manager Bob Whitsitt said before Friday night's game at Golden State. Portland put Kemp on injured reserve Friday night and activated Antonio Harvey. Portland players were asked not to comment on the situation before the game. "The entire Blazer organization supports Shawn during this difficult time," Whitsitt said in a news release. "He's taking steps to put his personal life in order so that he can return to his professional career and Shawn should be commended for his actions." "It is what it is," said coach Mike Dunleavy.

"We wish Shawn the best and the fullest recovery. We'll be waiting with open arms for him when he recovers." The situation couldn't come at a worse time for the Blazers, who had lost 10 of their previous 15 games and had fallen from the top playoff spot in the Western Conference to sixth. i VICTORIA SALSA vs. MERMTT CENTENNIALS PHARMASAVE H) extx.3 Yf MfkwJiAf Lam PaMl hm GrwTfconA Cut TTtwAtrblMl BCHL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES All games on AM 900 CKMO. Tickets at Memorial Arena.

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