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The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, November 24, 1998-23 * TH CNAIN *HAPON m - TESA. SEBE 4,99 Darlene butted out of her titie A head butt between the eyes and Darlene Kelsh's World Jiu-Jitsu Championship was suddeniy over. Hopes of maintaining her women's lightweight crown were shatterdd in round two when an American opponent-clashed heads with Kelsh. The officiai deemed it legal, but had to Stop the match as the local black belt began bleeding profusely from above bier right eye. Kelsh was rushed to the hospitai - where she received five stitches - and missed the rest of the tournament. She didn't even get to see the US. competitor go on to capture the ttle Kelsh had wom proudly for the better part of the last decade. "I'm extremely disappointed to have dropped the titie," said the four-time champion, of the November 14-15 event in Bumaby, British Columbia. "After she caught me with the head butt 1 actualiy kept going for a minute or so before the efree stopped it. -I neyer knew how powerful adrenaline can be." Helping salvage tings for the Kelsh family was ber 1-year-old son Daniel, wbo outshone a bandfui of competitors on the way to a bronze in the junior light- weight blue beit class. Hlis was one of tbree medals secured by local jiu-jitsu students, wbo heiped lead Canada to a third-place team finish behind the US. and England. Instrumental in their top three sbowing was captain Blair Phillips, wbo ended up third among maie beavyweight black belts. Another standout effort was given by Darren Galiipeau, who sbowed strongly for the team but failed to reacbed the medai round in the igtweigbt back beit division. Team coach Bob Kranstz, Kels' s father, calied into question the quaiity of officiating for Galipeau's efforts. Milton's other medal was earned by Derek Baiiy, wbo in is worid champi- oflship debut struck silver in the junior middieweight blue beit ciass. Keisb bad planned on retiring after this world championsbip, but says she may bave to rethink that now that she' s cume home witbout another titie. "There's an international toumnament next spring in Quebec. I might just bave to go out for that one," she speculated. Stepping out of a shadow By STrEVE LeBLANC The Champion For much of the past few months this year's Merchants have been living in the shadows of last year's success. Friday night however, they took one small but sig- nificant step out of the darkness and into their own Photo by GRAHAM PAINE Milton White team defenders block th18 8h01 ln Moton Men's Basketball Tournament play against Fonthili Saturday ai E.C. Drury High. They won the game and went on 10 down crosstown rival Milton Blue ln the championship. White downs Bilue for basketball titie Mfilton White capitalized at the foui uine and from tbree-point range to humble cross-town rivai Milton Blue 62-43 in the A division finals of the Haiton Men's Invitationai Basketbail Tournament Saturday at E.C. Drury Hligh Scbooi. The 25-and-over champions led by more than a dozen points at the baif, thanks to a nine-point effort by veteran forward Kevin Houldcroft, who sank ail five of is free tbrows. Teammate Shawn Ross was perfect at the fine as well, going 4-for-4. Milton Blue managed to catch up at moments in the third and fourth quater but their overly aggressive tactics remained a constant stumbling block. -see TITLE on page 24 In front of their biggest crowd of the season, the defending provincial champs showed they could still win the big ones by toppiing Brampton 5-1. Milton fired on ail cylinders to regain top spot in the West Conference - scoring three times in the opening frame and enjoying an exceptional goal- tending effort from Jeremy Wenzel. "That's reaiiy what I need- ed," said the tbird-year cager, refenring to a big performance against a big team. "I was focusing more and expecting the pucks. "I think this win showed us something, just what smart and disciplined hockey can accom- plish." Stayed composed Despite a number of skir- mishes down the stretch Milton demonstrated a lot of compo- sure and allowed the Capitals just four powerpiay stints on the night, none of which were converted. Milton went i -for-3 with the man advantage as Mark Beisel tipped in Matt Bannan's blue- line shot late in the first to strike a biow against Nis former teammates. Chris Rowan put the Merchants on the scoreboard 5:33 into the game - with a backband fake after a terrific move inside - while feilow rookie. Ryan Stewart deflected in a point shot by John Nadalin one minute later. The two freshmen, who' ve started coming into their own of late, showed strongly over the rest of the night as weli - particularly Stewart, wbo was fýI î Wýý,7 ýI -,ý I,ý, Jeremy Wenzel instrumentai in a couple of penalty killing situations. Rounding out the scoring were Chad Biundy and Mike Wheelihan, while spark piug Ryan Robichaud drew two assists in bis hardest working performance to date. Impressive work Aiso impressive was enforcer Jasen Hopiavuori, who did a good job muscling opponents off the puck. Brandon Dawe potted a cross-ice pass trom Matt McRae for Brampton's lone tally. Working their cage was Danny Gouid. In the most noteworthy fight of the night, Bannan beid better footing than the Caps' Steve Bebis and in doing SO main- tained Nis undefeated record. Two nights later in their first trip to the new IceSports Arena, Milton looked siuggish for periods two and tbree against the Oakviiie Blades. e se KEY on page 25 CHECK OUT THE 1999 ALL-STAR LINEUP FROM TOYOTA HLrm u e 1999 COROLLA VE 'airconionig lease for as low as t"Cbaose JtC off. 1 8 292 wt rc $1000 $6 -tn 1OlRqT+ tax sd"Si9950t.$245ft, per month for 48 montha. Lease payment a-tr*à 30 $220 ik Imêla ê mmm includes treght & PDE OnIy $1950 down 11 j E 1