SPORTS Hockeytown,
SPORTS Hockeytown, Chaldean style Winning the coveted Telga Cup is the goal of every team in the Chaldean Hockey League. Only one team can do that each season, of course, but that doesn’t mean the majority of players skate away from Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Ice Arena empty-handed. “One of the main reasons why the league was formed five years ago was to bring together all the Chaldeans who play hockey,” said Raad Kello, who founded the league along with Robert Esshaki. “So many guys who didn’t know each other are now friends because of hockey,” Kello said. “I know I’ve made a lot of friends through the league.” Kello was a key member of this season’s championship team. The 46-year-old goalie was the last line of defense on the Maroon team, sponsored by DC Illuminations. The Maroons finished in first place in the seven-team, 82-player league during the regular season with a 14-4-0 record and won four straight games in the playoffs. They swept the surprising Green team, sponsored by Value Center Marketplace, 6-2 and 5-0 in the bestof-three championship series. The Greens were mired in fourth place in the regular-season standings with an 8-10-0 record, but they made a great post-season run. The top six teams made the playoffs, with the first- and second-place squads earning a first-round bye. After a one-game knockout in the first round, the semifinals and finals were best-of-three. A big reason for the Maroons’ success was team captain Johnny Shouneyia, a former University of Michigan hockey star who amazes CHL friends and foes with his skills on skates. He had league-bests 51 goals and 33 assists this winter in 18 regularseason games. “Johnny is a great scorer, obviously, but his assists are even more impressive,” Kello said. “I swear he can make a perfect pass with his eyes closed. He has to have eyes in the back of his head.” Also on the Maroons’ roster were Frankie Awdish, Dave and Derek Curioca, John and Robert Esshaki, Anthony and Jonathan Naimi, Brian Najor, Brandon Shouneyia and Ronnie Yaldoo. Najor had 18 goals during the regular season, and Robert Esshaki had 22 assists. Frank Arcori was the main man on the Green team. He had 31 goals and 22 assists during the regular season. Photo by Diane Kello From Brother Rice to Madonna Former Birmingham Brother Rice High School soccer stars Sean Koza and George Sami have signed with Madonna University. Koza, a defender, and Sami, a forward, helped lead Brother Rice to a state championship in 2009. During Koza’s four seasons at Brother Rice, the Warriors won three district titles (2008, 2009 and 2010) in addition to their state championship. “Sean is a right back with a lot of good attacking ideas,” said Madonna coach Eric Scott. “He’s a natural leader. We expect big things from him.” Scott also praised Sami. “Like Sean, George played in many big games in high school,” the coach said. “He has tremendous instincts and timing in the box and seems to have a natural feel for scoring goals.” Madonna advanced to the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference quarterfinals last fall in Scott’s first season as coach. – Steve Stein The Greens’ roster was rounded out by Mike Acho, Randy Dickow, Nick Hermiz, Scott Jonna, Brian Kanoan, Matt and Nick Loussia, Ramiz Mansour, Nevin Nannoski, Joey Sheena, and goalie Derrick Dallo. Nick Loussia and Nannoski each had 13 regular-season goals, and Nick Loussia had 20 assists. The Maroons were followed by the White (Worldwide Merchant Services), Gray (Something Crazy Management), Red (Unique Pizza), Green, Black (Bank of Michigan) and Blue (Mirage Cafe) teams in the regular-season standings. This was the first season since the league’s inaugural year that team captains selected their entire roster through the draft. Previously, players could be protected. From now on, teams can protect three players for two drafts before everyone is put back into the pool. League players must be at least age 16. A few, like Kello, are pushing 50. Kello said the league’s talent level has risen each year as more players find out about it. The number of teams has ranged from five to eight. Teams play three 16-minute running-time periods each game. Stop time is used in the final two minutes if there is a minimum two-goal difference in the score. Kello said the Telga Cup, which looks like the NHL’s Stanley Cup and is engraved with the names of all the players on the CHL’s championships teams, will probably have a permanent home in the Mixed Grille at Shenandoah Country Club. “Guys have been taking it home and leaving it there,” he said. “We need to let people see it.” – Steve Stein Shenandoah Basketball Wraps Up There is an old adage in sports, “defense wins championships,” and it seemed both teams had that philosophy in mind in the Monday Chaldean Basketball League championship game at Shenandoah. The matchup pinned veteran coach Phil Mansour (seeking his first CBA championship) against the the youthful defending champion, Nash Zaitouna. The tough defense of both teams kept the offense stagnant and the teams went into halftime with the low score of 19-11, team Zaitouna. The second half brought a more stout defense and as end of the game loomed, the score was tied. Karl Dallou made two clutch free-throws, after a big steal, with under a minute to go to seal the victory for Team Zaitouna. The game’s final score was 34-30. Marvin Yeldo of Team Mansour led all scorers with 13 points. In the Tuesday Night League, so-called “experts” put the HAM team at Team HAM celebrates. the bottom of the list after the draft. Wrong bet. Leading the team to an easy victory over JP Namou, Captain/Coach Ray Jonna won his second championship in three seasons and garnered his second Most Valuable Player award, scoring 30 points. Amid whispers of being “soft,” first round draft pick Chris Ammori showed range, ball handling skills, and dominated the post on both ends of the floor. Patrick Namou displayed hybrid abilities to body big men, shut down guards, run fast breaks, and hit 3 pointers. A trade called “the steal” brought Justin Ayar to the team to join HAM advocate Vincent Hesano, giving the team two consistent rebounding machines and defensive monsters. Vinny Bashi, after a long cold streak, regained his name “Mr. Clutch” after hitting several crucial 3 pointers. – Tom Kyriakoza and Ray Jonna 36 CHALDEAN NEWS MAY 2011
We welcome Merfit, Physicians Assistant, to Michigan Physicians Group ! She is certified by the National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants. Over 7 years of experience in working primary care office and having taken care of all the medical problems. Packages starting at .00 She has an excellent experience in discussing patient’s diagnoses and educating them about their condition as well as providing them with A-Z answers, while patients walk home with a clear understanding of what they have. She is fluent in English, Arabic, Chaldean and hopes to be able to overcome cultural and linguistic barriers, which have prevented minorities from seeking quality, effective health care. AAVA Photography & Videography (248) 544-8885 www.aavastudio.com With key medical specialists in one practice, you have convenient access to advice on how to prevent, diagnose and treat the three top diseases affecting Americans today: heart disease, stroke and cancer. At Michigan Physicians Group we are sincerely committed to our patients and have a philosophy that emphasizes: • Offering superior medical care at one location, to save you time and reduce stress • Prompt, personal care from the first hello to follow-up calls • Treating patients with dignity, courtesy and compassion We take the hassle out of medical tests: You no longer need to make appointments, then travel all over town and possibly delay your diagnosis and treatment. Our complete range of outpatient services is conveniently located right in our offices to serve you quickly and easily. • Laboratory • Radiology and X-rays • Cardiovascular Testing • Electrocardiography • Stress Echocardiography • Evaluation of Peripheral Vascular Studies • 24-Hour Holter Monitoring • Doppler Studies • Nuclear Stress Testing • Cardiac Rehabilitation • Echocardiography We have 3 convenience locations to serve your needs: Compton Clinic 14325 Middlebelt Road Livonia, MI 48154 T: 734-427-9222 F: 734-427-6316 John R Clinic 30855 John R Madison Heights, MI 48071 T: 248-583-0100 F: 248-583-4894 Berkley Clinic 2905 W. 12 Mile Road Berkley, MI 48072 T: 248-541-0770 F: 248-541-6862 MAY 2011 CHALDEAN NEWS 37
