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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1999-07-07, Page 22THIS, . li'ui IN SPorrrs Pro beach v -ball action at the 'Bend pours the heat on. Page 20 Exeter midget hardball team impress at the Hall of Fame ceremonies. Page 21 Exeter Times -Advocate Wednesday, July 7, 1999 r.,Wr.�s.rs..rw4....��ar a►as.�.o�.a.....;,,r,,.. ,. _dr ` SPoItTs Tit's? Contact Sports Editor Craig Bradford Tel: (519) 235-1336 ext 113 Fax: (519) 235-0766 E-mail: sports q, SouchHuron.com Page 19 Zurich's Jeffrey lan full U.S. hockey scholarship Off to' school: Zurich's Jennifer Jeffrey has been given a full scholarship by Mercyhurst College of Erie, Penn., where she'll play for the fledgling women's hockey tear By Craig, Bradford TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF ZURICH -- Jennifer Jeffrey and her booming slap shot are off to a U.S. college on a full scholar- ship. Jeffrey, 18, signed with Mercyhurst College of Erie, Penn., on April 27. In all, the hockey scholar- ship .is worth about $80,000. "I'm excit- ed," the seemingly unexcited defenceman from Zurich said at her home last week. Jeffrey, a South Huron District High School`grad- uate, played with the London Devilettes last season who won the. Intermediate `AA' all - Ontario title. Before her spin with the Devilettes, Jeffrey played four years with the Bluewater Hawks out of Parkhill. She started her hockey career at age four with Zurich Minor Hockey. She played with the boys till moving to the Bluewater club. She said there were no problems with the Zurich boys, who treated her like any other player, but. some opposing skaters weren't so nice. The 5'6", 135 ib. blue- liner hesitated before. replying to a question on what her on -ice strengths are. "I've taken on leader- ship roles," she finally said. "And I have a pretty good slapshot." She later gave up more with more questioning. "I'm pretty good at reading plays and figur- ing out what will hap- pen."" "We've been alt over with her hockey...I think I'tt go through a hockey withdrawal " - ZURICH HOCKEY MOM BARB JEFFREY • Huron Park teen makes re HURON PARK — Chad Smith In the the NBA yet, but he's on his way. Smith,13, made the cut on the :south region ban-, tam basketball team that will represent Huron, Perth, Bruce, Grey, Middlesex and London at the Ontario champi- onships late this summer where the team will com- pete against seven ,other Ontario regions. Smith, a small forward, made it past the first London tryout on June 23 and made the teal at the June 30 tryout. By making the team, Smith is considered one of the best 12 bantam age basketball players in the region. Smith is the only Huron County resident to make the team.. "I like it," Smith said about making the region- al team during an inter- view with the T -A at his Huron Park home on Monday. "I didn't think I was going to make it. I was just trying out for the fun and the experience." A recent grad of McCurdy Public School. Smith hopes to play bas- ketball at South Huron District High School next school year. He started playing bas- ketball in Gr.. 6 by "just playing. around." He made the McCurdy boys ' team each, of the last three years. The team won the South Huron regional public elemen- tary school championship in '96/97, came second the next year and won the title again this past year after another team was disqualified due to unsportsmanlike conduct. Smith has high hopes for his b -ball career. "I want to go to the NBA," the accurate shoot- er said. His more down to earth goals are to play high school then universi- ty basketball Stat. Living legend Michael Jordan ' is Smith's. favourite all-time NBA-er, followed by current star Koby Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers. Smith hones h1.1 shoot- ing skills every day at the McCurdy outside hoops or at a Mend's place. on ball team Hoop dreams come true. Huron Park's Chad Smith has made the south region bantam basketball team and will be the only Huron County representa- tive on tba elite squad. Jeffrey's ultimate goal is to make the Canadian national women's hockey team and play in the Olympics. As far as what she'll be studying at Mercyhurst, Jeffrey hasn't decided yet, but is leaning towards a career in law enforcement. She will make the trip to Erie to register on. July ,17 and school will start at the end of summer. Till then Jeffrey will continue making money in her own business — mowing lawns in: 4 Grand Cove. Y`.:, proud of her." Jeffrey's mom said the family won't know what to do with themselves with Jennifer off at col- lege. "We've been all over with her hockey (while with Bluewater)," Barb said. "I think I'll go through a hockey' with- drawal." New to women's hockey this coming season, Mercyhurst will play in Division 1 versus schools like Rhode Island's Brown University where. Hensall's Cara Gardner patrols the blueline. Jeffrey is guaranteed a captain's 'C' or an assis- tant's 'A' as long as she keeps up her grades. Jeffrey said she'll miss her family and friends while away at school. "I'llprobably get home- sick for a while but I'll get over it," she said. Jeffrey was again hesi- tant when asked why she loves hockey so much. "There's no way to explain it," she said. "I gone who goes after their, dream that's who 1 admire." - ZURICH 'S NIFER JEFFREY She has three Lawn mow- ers, a truck and a trailer and her brother Alan, 21, helps out sometimes. The Jeffrey clan is rounded out by mom Barb and dad Charles. "Her family and friends wish her good lucky"- Barb Jeffrey said. "We're 'yen/ love it. I never get bored playing hockey." Jeffrey didn't identify a single hero or inspiration she looks up to. "Anyone ' who goes after their dream — that's who I admire," she said. Her motto? "Smiles are free so don't save them." At Exeter beach Randy DeBiock tries to dig up the ball during the Canada Day beach volleyball tournament at South Huron Rec Centre. Leanne DeBlock views the action behind her husband. DeBlock was a mem- ber of the Duke and the Daisies Featuring Jeff team that also featured Jeff and Diane VanMoorsel. f