Last Week around the Leagues
by Fran Stuchbury
September 24, 2019 - Canadian Football League (CFL)
Last week the WNBA named Washington Mystics forward-guard Elena Delle Donne its Most Valuable Player for the second time in her career, the Pacific Coast League's Sacramento River Cats won the Triple-A National Championship over the International League's Columbus Clippers and the Whipsnakes won the inaugural Premier Lacrosse League Championship by defeating the Redwoods 12-11 in overtime. Highlights from this week are from the Canadian Football League, Pacific Coast League, Major League Soccer, National Women's Soccer League, Canadian Premier League, Women's National Basketball Association and Premier Lacrosse League.
FOOTBALL
Canadian Football League
In the wildcat, Winnipeg Blue Bombers wide receiver Darvin Adams connects on 74 yard touchdown pass to running back Andrew Harris.
BC Lions wide receiver Duron Carter throws a 67-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Shaquille Johnson.
One of the best to ever do it, Ricky Ray is added to the Edmonton Eskimo Football Club Wall of Honor. Ray played nine seasons for the Eskimos and won Grey Cups with them in 2003 and 2005.
Indoor Football League
National Arena League
Following a dominant 15-1 NAL Championship season in 2019, Jacksonville Sharks Defensive Coordinator James Fuller has been promoted to Head Coach. Jacksonville's 2019's NAL Coach of the Year Siaha Burley was unable to come to terms for a contract extension, and with the free-agent signing period beginning, the Sharks organization chose to move on.
The National Arena League is excited to announce the expected return of the Maine Mammoths. The 2018 NAL expansion team has found an ownership group that is currently completing the final stage of approval from the National Arena League. When approved, the Mammoths will once again take the field in the NAL for the 2020 season and beyond.
BASEBALL
Pacific Coast League
The Sacramento River Cats are the Triple-A National Champions after shutting out the International League Champion Columbus Clippers by a score of 4-0 at AutoZone Park in Memphis, TN. Behind a stellar outing from left-hander, and eventual Most Valuable Player Caleb Baragar, the River Cats became the first franchise to take home their third Triple-A National Championship.
The Sacramento River Cats celebrating in the locker room.
Coastal Plain League
The Wilmington Sharks are excited to announce Russ Burroughs as the team's new Field Manager. Burroughs is currently the Head Baseball Instructor at Nashville Baseball Academy in Nashville, Tennessee. He is currently in his 11th year with the Academy. Burroughs comes to Wilmington by way of the Edenton Steamers, an organization he was with for three seasons.
SOCCER
Major League Soccer
Colorado Rapids forward Kei Kamara with the bicycle kick goal against Sporting Kansas City.
Wayne Rooney set piece - Frederic Brillant goal for DC United against Seattle Sounders FC.
Some of the prettiest and most pin point passes from Week 29.
National Women's Soccer League
The North Carolina Courage clinched their third-consecutive NWSL Shield (best record in the league) with a 3-0 win over Utah Royals FC at Rio Tinto Stadium. Sam Mewis, Jaelene Hinkle, and Debinha netted the goals in the match. Stephanie Labbe earned her eighth clean sheet of 2019.
Here are the highlights of the North Carolina Courage victory.
Canadian Premier League
The best assist of the Canadian Premier League season from HFX Wanderers FC midfielder Elton John to forward Akeem Garcia against Forge FC.
Major Arena Soccer League
The Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) announced that the Rochester Lancers will join the MASL this season. The team played the 2018-2019 season in the second-division MASL2 (M2).
BASKETBALL
Women's National Basketball Association
Washington Mystics forward-guard Elena Delle Donne has been named the 2019 WNBA Most Valuable Player. The seven-year veteran has won her second MVP award and became the first player in WNBA history to earn the honor with two different teams. She was also selected as MVP in 2015 as a member of the Chicago Sky.
MVP Elena Delle Donne talks about her individual success, and the impressive Washington Mystics squad she is surrounded with this season.
Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier has been named the 2019 WNBA Rookie of the Year. She is the first Lynx player to earn the honor since Maya Moore in 2011. Collier averaged 13.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.91 steals and 0.94 blocked shots while starting all 34 regular-season games and logging a WNBA-high 33.3 minutes per game.
For the first time in franchise history, the New York Liberty will own the WNBA's top draft selection, as determined by the WNBA Draft Lottery 2020. The Liberty secured the No. 1 pick in next year's draft, the highest pick in franchise history.
HOCKEY
National Women's Hockey League
In a significant milestone for the NWHL and professional women's hockey in North America, the league announced today that the Boston Pride hockey club has been purchased by a team of investors led by Cannon Capital managing partner Miles Arnone.
Connecticut Whale general manager Bray Ketchum announced that the NWHL club will be led behind the bench by head coach Colton Orr and assistant coach Laura Brennan. Orr is a veteran of 477 NHL games with the New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins. Brennan played collegiately at Quinnipiac and Minnesota State, and has been a goaltender and coach with the Whale for the last two seasons.
LACROSSE
National Lacrosse League
Ahead of the National Lacrosse League's (NLL) 34th season, the 2019 Entry Draft took place at Xfinity Live. in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ahead of the National Lacrosse League's (NLL) 34th season, the 2019 Entry Draft took place on Tuesday, September 17 at Xfinity Live. in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Premier Lacrosse League
The Whipsnakes won the inaugural Premier Lacrosse League Championship defeating the Redwoods 12-11 in overtime. Attackman Matt Rambo won the game winner for the Whipsnakes.
Did we miss anything newsworthy or downright fun? Have a nomination for next week's column? Contact us today and let us know.
Canadian Football League Stories from September 24, 2019
- Matt O'Donnell Recognized for Outstanding Community Service - Edmonton Elks
- Anree Saint-Amour Added to Practice Roster - B.C. Lions
- Apelu Joins Practice Roster - Edmonton Elks
- Six Join Practice Roster - Montreal Alouettes
- Andrew Harris Named Shaw CFL Top Performer for Week 15 - Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- Shaw CFL Top Performers Named for Week 15 - CFL
- Vernon Adams Jr. and Jake Wieneke Named Among CFL Players of the Week - Montreal Alouettes
- Blue Bombers Add to Practice Roster - Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- Last Week around the Leagues - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
