A truly amazing accomplishment

Boston Celtics director of basketball operations Brad Stevens interviewed two in-house assistant coaches for his vacant head coaching job earlier this week and one was Morell’s Scott Morrison.

The other was former NBA player Jerome Allen, whose name keeps popping up for the Portland job. Once Stevens finishes with his in-house interviews, he is reportedly waiting to talk with L.A. Lakers’ assistant Jason Kidd, L.A. Clippers assistant Chauncey Billups, Philadelphia assistant Sam Cassell and with Lloyd Pierce, the former head coach of the Atlanta Hawks.

Jay Larranaga, another Celtics assistant who has been with Boston since 2012, has not been interviewed yet but team insiders suggest he will be interviewed and has the best shot, if Stevens decided to take the in-house approach. Most hoop fans regard the 2021 Celtics season as disappointing, and that being the case the pressure is on Stevens to probably look outside.

Nevertheless, the fact that Morrison interviewed for the head coaching job with such a historic franchise as the Celtics is truly an amazing accomplishment.

CELEBRITY GOLF

The 18th annual Novus celebrity golf tournament is set for Mill River on July 23-25 and once again Boys and Girls Club of Summerside CEO Adam Binkley and Mill River’s Don MacDougall have done a splendid organizational job despite COVID-19 restrictions.

As was the case last year, it will be an Atlantic bubble featuring 90 teams during three days with celebrities like Gerard (Turk ) Gallant, Adam McQuaid, Noah Dobson, Darren Langdon, Ricky and Randy from the Trailer Park Boys and others to be announced.

Proceeds from the tournament will be directed to Binkley’s strengthening families programs and to reduce COVID-19-related poverty through Project Backpack delivering food to people who are in need.

One of the highlights of the auction will be a trip for four to Phoenix, Ariz., including flights, five days of golf and two NHL games, which is sure to attract plenty of local attention.

To volunteer, advertise on the course or to register a team, call or text 902-3033343.

AVONDALE OPEN

The P.E.I. Golf Association golf tour continues today and tomorrow at the Avondale course, and I can tell you from recent experience the course is in immaculate condition.

The tour’s first two stops at Andersons Creek and Countryview produced a surprise with a pair of first-time winners. Brodie McGregor’s 68 on the final round at Anderson Creeks gave the Charlottetown golfer a one-stroke victory over Tyler Hashmi, who posted rounds of 7371. Former Panthers hockey great Dave Shellington fired a 69 to easily win the senior division.

At Countryview, Kris Currie shot rounds of 68 and 74 to prevail by a single stroke over Jason Campbell and McGregor with Hashmi two shots away.

In today’s two-man, bestball tournament at Avondale, the defending champions Curtis Martell and Jeff Hughes will have their hands full, especially with a stacked field of duos like Hashmi and Jamie Vesey and with Brodie Ward and Jason Poley. Veteran and talented Anthony Warren is playing so expect low rounds from him.

HARNESS RACING

Live harness racing continues tonight at Red Shores at the Charlottetown Driving Park (CDP) with an 11-dash card. The $3,200 feature goes in Race 10 with Mc Pat, from the rail, and Rose Run Quest, Time to Dance, Avatar J, G A Speed Sammy and Panimal Kingdom. Can Gold Cup and Saucer winner Time to Dance rebound against this very tough field?

Ontario trainer Colin Johnson has certainly shaken up the local trainer-driver colony, winning the CDP Saturday feature with GA Speed Sammy in 1:53 and change versus the top class that included his own Moonwriter.

The Johnson-trained Lady Like (by Shadow Play) recently lowered the track record for mares to 1:53:2, winning a close one over Woodmere Skyroller, who came from last. They are a great pair of mares.

At Mohawk tonight, Points North (James MacDonald) looks like the horse to beat in the $34,000 feature against the likes of Hail Christian N, Torrin Hanover, Wheels on Fire, Real Surreal and Rockme Rollme. Also, at Mohawk tonight, Jeff Lilley’s star pacer Bettim Again goes in Race 4 for a purse of $17,000. If he brings his A game, this is a race he should win.

Harness racing lost one of its great drivers with the passing of Yonkers Raceway legend Ben Webster, 83, who campaigned at New York nightly against the likes of Billy Haughton, Buddy Gilmour, George Sholty, Del Insko, John Chapman, Carmine Abbatiello and Lucien Fontaine. Webster won the prestigious Little Brown Jug with Seatrain and later campaigned the flashy speedster No Nukes.

On the local front, we lost two wonderful people during the past 10 days with the passing of Allie Carr, 94, associated with the P.E.I. colt stakes association for more than 50 years and the owner of numerous stakes winners. RE (Bob) Connolly, a prominent breeder and owner whose horses carried the R E handle with be missed. Bob was a familiar figure at the annual P.E.I. Select Yearling Sale, a colourful spotter and loved by all.

My condolences to all associated with these two gentlemen.