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Wednesday, March 21, 2007 Sports at a GlanceAll stories by Jean Schurman All Valley Classic heldFlorence softball program gets new coachAll Conference selectionsDragon Brigade does well in Salt LakeAll Valley Classic heldThe annual All Valley Classic was held Friday night at Dale Berry Court in Hamilton. A small but enthusiastic crowd cheered on the teams composed of stand out stars from each of the six valley schools. The Light team prevailed in the Girls game. The two teams battled back and forth with neither team gaining an edge. The final score was Light 47, Dark 46. MVPs were Brooke Zeiler for the Light team with nine points and Jordan Rick for the Dark team with nine points. Both players are from Florence. The Boys teams were also fairly evenly matched with the lead switching several times. The Dark team prevailed in this game, topping the Light, 74-68. Darbyıs Dillon Oliver was MVP with 13 points for the Light team. Ryan Grove of Stevensville led the Dark team with 19 points and was named MVP. In the three-point shoot out, Kirstin Bull of Corvallis took the prize. Another Corvallis athlete, Eric Spencer, made the most in the boys three-point shoot out. Various athletes from across the valley were honored for their accomplishments. Florence softball program gets new coachAfter 10 years and numerous state championships including the last two years, the Florence Softball program will have a new commander at the helm. Sam Richter takes over the program which has been the powerhouse of Class B for the last few years. Richter acknowledged his feet need to grow some to fill former coach Mike "Otto" Thill's shoes. "He's built a tremendous program here," said Richter who says he's known Otto for a number of years. He adds his only hope is to have the same successes and continue to build the program. Richter is no stranger to the coaching ranks or to the softball field. The Loyola alum has spent 42 years playing softball and brings a wealth of knowledge to the Lady Falcons. Along the way, he played in three open regional tournaments, two regional 'A' tournaments and, last year, a national 50 plus tournament. He says he's given up playing now because "there just isn't enough Advil out there." Richter coached American Softball Association ball at Dutton. In addition, he was the head football coach at Loyola and Dutton, and assistant football coach at Lewistown. He also just completed his first season as an assistant basketball coach at Florence. When he isn't wearing his coaching hat, he wears a businessman's hat. He is the owner of 1st Aid First which handles first aid and CPR certification training in Western Montana. But Richter isn't the only one in the dugout with experience. Longtime Florence assistant Joe McKay will still be in the dugout as assistant coach, giving a bit of continuity to the program. "It's an absolute blessing to have Joe still here," said Richter. The two have known each other for years and in fact were high school rivals. Florence will have eight returning lettermen on the field including four seniors. With senior Kate Street on the rubber, and an experienced core group, the Lady Falcons will not be overlooked this year. All Conference selectionsBoys basketball All-Conference selections have been announced. The Southwest A Conference includes Anaconda, Corvallis, Dillon, Frenchtown, Hamilton and Stevensville. 1st Team 2nd Team Honorable Mention Dragon Brigade does well in Salt LakeHamilton Tae Kwon-Do's Bitterroot Dragon Brigade kickstarted the season with success at the Salt City International Tournament in Salt Lake City Utah, March 9-10. Over 20 teams competed at this international event. Overall the Dragon Brigade finished in the top 10. Shawn and Michael Whippie of Corvallis were a big part of the team's win. Twelve-year-old Shawn took first place in breaking and competed for grand champion in that event, barely missing his last break. Eleven-year-old brother Michael brought home the fist place trophy for flag sparring and was successful in his bid for grand champion. The tournament went well for the Brigade with individual results as follows: Tuff Price - 2nd place in West Coast Sparring The Dragon Brigade will be on the road again this weekend attending the Bozeman Karate Open at the Montana State Strand Union Ballroom March 24. |
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