RGV Capsules: Bees try to have some fun before tough stretch
HIDALGO — What was supposed to be a breezy three-on-three tournament at practice Thursday just kept going and going. And going. And going some more.
Finally, after the final game stayed tied for about 15 minutes as six tired players struggled on extremely snowy ice, forward Aaron Lee beat Wylie Rogers in the sixth round of a shootout, giving him and teammates Sean Muncy and Mike Harr the tournament title over runners-up Nathan Ansell, Justin Kanigan and Matt Sweazey. By the time of Lee’s decisive goal, the Bees (6-5-2) had been practicing for well over two hours.
Though the proceedings went a bit longer than anybody anticipated, they did look like they were having fun. And before the start of a stretch of six games in 10 days that begins with a matchup tonight against defending CHL champion Texas (5-6-2), having fun and loosening up was the point of Thursday’s practice.
"It was a nice change for sure," Lee said. "But, it gets a little tiring and a little competitive too. We had a little wager on the line too, so … it was a good, fun day."
By the end of the final game, many players were sitting on top of the boards, looking like kids half their age. Bees coach Chris Brooks, who along with assistant Sean Gillam participated, was wearing his cap backward while cheering for someone, anyone, to finally end the game.
When Lee scored, the Bees skated off the Dodge Arena ice quickly. Well, as quick as they could after such a long practice on such a snowy ice surface.
"It’s been a long couple weeks with the road trips and stuff," Brooks said, referring to a recent stretch of five games in seven days. "It’s good to play that stuff. Work on man-to-man defense and at the same time, have fun.
"Hopefully the guys had a good time and will get ready for tomorrow."
Lee, still basking in the glory of his goal, recognized the importance of occasionally mixing things up during a grinding part of the schedule.
"I think when you’re constantly harping on systems and constantly coming to the rink working hard, it’s always nice to have a change-up day and come out here and have some fun and getting back to your roots," Lee said. "I think those goaltenders were definitely exhausted as much as we were. It’s always nice to win."
ICING: Forward Jesse Bennefield did not practice Thursday because of what Brooks called "soreness." … Defenseman Jason Seerey, acquired Wednesday from Allen for future considerations, is expected to arrive in the Valley today.
Brian Sandalow covers the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4436 or via e-mail at bsandalow@themonitor.com.
College
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi rolls to 77-55 victory
CORPUS CHRISTI — Kevin Palmer had a game-high 17 points and Horace Bond added 15 to lead Texas A&M-Corpus Christi past Texas-Pan American 77-55 Thursday night.
Palmer was 7 of 12 from the field, and Bond was 7 of 10. Justin Reynolds added 12 points and nine rebounds for the Islanders (2-2).
Luis Valera had 10 points to lead the Broncs (0-3). He was the only Texas-Pan American player in double figures.
The Islanders outshot the Broncs 52.5 percent to 35.6 percent. Corpus Christi scored 23 points off of 14 Bronc turnovers. Pan American forced 13 turnovers but converted them for just one point.
Pan American didn’t score until nearly seven minutes into the game. By that time, Corpus Christi had built a 10-0 lead. The Broncs got as close as 14-12 with 7:38 to go in the first half before the Islanders went on a 16-3 run that padded their lead to 30-15 three minutes before the half.
Basketball
Vipers make first cuts of preseason
The NBA Development League Rio Grande Valley Vipers announced Thursday their training camp roster is down to 12 NBA Development League players following cuts of guards Cliff Clinkscales and Antoine Hood and forward Rashad Woods. Additionally, the Vipers waived guard Jamarcus Ellis and forward DeAngelo Alexander due to injury.
The Vipers will have a roster of guards Antonio Anderson, Kenny Dawkins, Henry Dugat, Jamarcus Ellis, Garrett Temple and Jonathan Wallace, swingmen Stanley Asumnu and Ernest Scott, forwards Mike Harris, Haminn Quaintance and Julian Sensley and centers Mickell Gladness and Kurt Looby for their exhibition game against the Austin Toros at 7 p.m. Saturday at the South Padre Island Convention Center.
Houston Rockets-assignee forward/center Joey Dorsey, who does not count against the roster limit, will also be on the roster for the preseason contest. The Vipers have until 4 p.m. Nov. 25 to get their roster down to 10 NBA Development League players, not including Dorsey.
The Vipers open the regular season at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 27 in Austin.
Soccer
Bravos FC in Tampa, Fla., for meetings
While technical director Ismael “Moreira” Braga meets with the Brazilian Soccer Federation and First Division clubs in Brazil, RGV Bravos FC front-office staff arrived in Tampa for the 2009 United Soccer League Annual General Meeting, held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.
The AGM kicked off Thursday and will conclude Nov. 22. The AGM reunites professional and amateur team executives and coaches of the 68 Premier Development League clubs, where Bravos FC compete, the 11 first-division teams, nine second-division squads, the 37 W-League teams, along with several representatives of the Super Y League.
“We’re ready,” PDL Director Lee Cohen said. “The teams are starting to stream in little by little. So we’re ready for another successful AGM.”
Bravos FC executives will participate in various seminars and meetings regarding the state of the USL, PDL and the other divisions, league expansion, the presentation of the league’s new owners, scheduling for next season and the USL Hall of Fame ceremony.
