sports sports spotlight
sports sports spotlight BY STEVE STEIN Chaldean Hockey League wraps up second season There were 23 more players and two more teams in the two-year-old Chaldean Hockey League this season, but one thing stayed the same: Team Black and Team Gray played for the championship for the second consecutive year, and Team Black came out on top. Team Black won this year’s bestof-three playoff championship series two games to one thanks to an 8-6 victory in the deciding game. A big reason for Team Black and Team Gray’s success could be continuity. Team captains were allowed to protect only three players going into this season’s draft, “and I’d guess Team Black and Team Gray brought back more players than the other teams,” said Team Black Captain Robert Esshaki. Ninety-five players ranging in age from 15 to the 50s competed in the league this season, up from 72 players in the league’s inaugural year. And there were seven teams after five teams played the first season. “People were calling us left and right after our first season,” Esshaki said. “We hope that happens again and next season, we can add a minimum of one more team.” If there are eight teams, the league hopes to play four games on the same night each week at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Arena, its home for two years. The league played games two nights a week in its first two seasons. Each team played 24 regular-season games this season, and the top six made the playoffs. The first round of the playoffs was single-elimination, and the next two rounds were best two-of-three. Games consisted of three 16-minute periods with running time except for the final two minutes of the third period. This was a very competitive league, with only 13 points separating the top and bottom teams in the final regularseason standings. The standings were Team Black (14-6-4 for 32 points), Team Gray (13-8-3 for 29 points), Team Red (11-10-3 for 25 points), Team Green (10-12-2 for 22 points), Team Gold (8-11-5 for 21 points), Team Blue (10-14-0 for 20 points) and Team White (8-13-3 for 19 points). Team Black once again featured former University of Michigan hockey star Johnny Shouneyia, and Team Gray featured Vinnie Jalaba. “Johnny is by far the league’s best player, and Vinnie is by far the league’s second-best player,” Esshaki said. “My coaching strategy was simple … I told Johnny to get on the ice and stay there.” Shouneyia finished the regular season with 44 goals and 55 assists. Jalaba had 56 goals and 29 assists. Team Black’s roster also included Dave Antwan, Derek Curioca, Gabe, Johnny and Mike Esshaki, Brian and Scott Najor, Brandon Shouneyia, Chris Thomas, and Anthony and Jonathan Toma. Team Gray’s roster also included Mike Acho, Chris Bahoora, Randy Dickow, Eric Farida, Matt Jalaba, Wilson Kassab, Dave Kouza, Matt Loussia, Nevin Nannoshi, and Jason and Captain Jimmy Yaldoo. While it hasn’t been decided how teams will be selected next season, there’s no doubt that more players are wanted. For information, contact Esshaki at (248) 224-4442 or rudysmarket@gmail.com. Camp Chaldean hosting basketball weekend Team Black battles Gray for the championship. Basketball and the great outdoors may seem like an unusual combination, but that’s what’s being offered at the inaugural 3-on-3 Basketball Camp- Out Tournament June 21 and 22 at Camp Chaldean in Brighton. Presented by the Chaldean Church Sports League, the event features a Gus Macker-style basketball competition for boys and men on Camp Chaldean’s outdoor courts and it gives players an opportunity to take advantage of the camp’s facilities. Overnight camping is offered for those who bring a tent. Bathrooms 30 CHALDEAN NEWS MAY 2008
Detroit counts on Tota Hea th Care. and showers will be available. Only boys and men can stay overnight. Daily mass and a nighttime bonfire are also planned. CCSL spokesman Nathan Karrumi expects about 100 teams, most with four players, to participate in the tournament. Divisions include ages 11-13 and 14-17 for boys, and 18-35 and 36- up for men. Each team will play at least three games June 21 to earn a seed for the June 22 playoffs. Division champions will receive individual and team trophies. There also will be basketball skills competitions like free throw shooting, farthest 3-pointer, points in 30 seconds, farthest two-handed pass, fast passing and more, with the winners taking home cash prizes. The entry fee of per player includes food for both days and a jersey. To register, go to www.chaldean.org and click on the 3-on-3 logo on the right side of the front page. The tournament is a fund-raiser for Camp Chaldean and the CCSL, which sponsors sports leagues for Chaldean youth. “Another goal of the tournament is to showcase our community’s beautiful new camp,” Karrumi said. “Making good use of a place like us allows our community to grow.” Karrumi said a similar event for girls and women will be held in August at Camp Chaldean. Basketball and volleyball probably will be offered. Questions and comments about the June tournament should be directed to Karrumi at nkarrumi@hotmail.com. Tom Kyriakoza teaches some fine points to young hoospters. beautiful season Shenandoah wraps up youth program The Youth Basketball Program at Shenandoah Country Club has completed a second successful season. Organized by Shenandoah Athletic Director Tom Kyriakoza, boys and girls ages 7-12 were eligible to participate in the eight-week program that ran from January 19 through March 8. The program was open to both club members and non-members. On Saturdays from 12:30- 2:30 p.m., coaches Tom Kyriakoza, Wasim Somo, Saber Ammori, David Jouni, Sean Ammori, Haithem Sarafa, Anthony Kallabat, Mike Hakim and Lennon Kyriakoza worked with the kids on basketball skills through drills, practices and actual games. Sixty-eight kids enrolled this year, up from 27 in 2007. “The kids had a great time week after week,” Kyriakoza said. “We were very encouraged by the enrollment this year and look forward to continuing to grow and expand this program for the kids.” For more information on the basketball program or other Shenandoah youth sports opportunities, contact Tom Kyriakoza at (248) 217-7171. Because we’re a ways there. At Total Health Care, we understand the needs of the community better because we’re part of it. Unlike most other health plans, our offices are right in Detroit.We have over 600 primary care physicians and over 300 locations in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties. So no matter where you live in the metro Detroit area, we’re always close. Detroit has counted on Total Health Care for flexible, affordable, quality health care coverage for over 30 years. It’s created local jobs, and supported communities in countless ways. So it’s no wonder the City of Detroit, Detroit Public Schools, United Airlines, Wayne State University, and over 400 other companies offer Total Health Care to their employees. To find out how Total Health Care can help you, call us today or visit our web site. tota hea thcareon ine.com Total Health Care is a state-licensed, nonprofit corporation. TOTALLY THERE FOR YOU 1-800-826-2862 MAY 2008 CHALDEAN NEWS 31
