Bongomin helps Canada claim bronze

Regina’s Angela Bongomin helped Canada earn its first-ever podium finish at the FIBA under-19 women’s basketball World Cup in Udine, Italy.

Canada defeated Japan 67-60 on Sunday to win a bronze medal in the 16-team event.

The national squad’s only loss came in semifinal action against the Russians, who went on to win gold. Canada beat South Korea, France and Latvia in group play before knocking off Mexico and China in the playoff round.

Bongomin, who’s entering her second season with the University of Regina Cougars, had five points, three rebounds and one blocked shot versus Russia before hitting her lone field-goal attempt in limited action versus Japan. Bongomin was also part of the Canadian squad that won a silver medal at last year’s FIBA Americas U18 Championship.

Whitewood’s Brad McEwen has

been named the head scout for Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence, which comprises the national under-17, under-18 and under-20 (world junior) teams.

McEwen, a former WHL head coach and general manager, had most recently been a Western Canadian amateur scout with the Calgary Flames. He previously served as the head scout and assistant GM of the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers.

McEwen also spent time as the head coach and GM of the Swift Current Broncos, being named the WHL’s top executive in 2002.

McEwen replaces Ryan Jankowski, who’s leaving Hockey Canada to become the director of amateur scouting with the Buffalo Sabres. Michael McGillivray of the Regina Optimist Dolphins Swim Club set a provincial record in the men’s 1,500-metre freestyle at the Canadian junior championships in Toronto over the weekend.

McGillivray posted a time of 16 minutes 29.38 seconds, finishing seventh overall. Meanwhile, Emma Spence of the Dolphins — participating in her first nationals — finished sixth in the women’s 200m breaststroke (2:41.07). Rebecca Dean placed ninth in the women’s 200m butterfly (2:22.41), making the senior national cut. On the men’s side, Jean-Philippe Defresne finished seventh in the 200m backstroke (2:07.95) and ninth in the 100m backstroke (58.97).

Five members of the Regina Piranhas earned medals at the Southern Saskatchewan semifinals summer swim meet in Estevan on the weekend.

Lauren Lavoie won gold (girls 18+) while Simone Lapierre (girls 11-12) and Josie Sylvestre (girls 1517) earned silver medals. Gavriel Moroz ( boys 11-12) and Jane Moser (girls 9-10) each added a bronze.