LOCAL SPORTS SHORTS

The Central Lakes College Raiders men's basketball team is tied for 16th in the NJCAA Division III poll.

CLC, 1-0, hosts its fall classic this weekend, playing St. Cloud Technical at 8 p.m. Friday and Western Wisconsin at 6 p.m. Saturday.

Minneapolis Community College is ranked fifth and Ridgewater of Willmar is tied for 12th.

Russell to speak to boosters club

Central Lakes College men's basketball coach Jim Russell will be the speaker at the Brainerd Sports Boosters Club meeting, which begins at noon Thursday at the Moose Lodge.

Katy Etterman, the Warrior Athlete of the Week, will be honored.

The club will not meet Nov. 27 because of Thanksgiving.

New teen pond hockey program planned in Brainerd

The Brainerd Parks and Recreation Department will offer a co-ed pond hockey program for ages 16-18 this winter.

Players must form their own teams and there will not be coaches. Each team may consist of six players. Games will be a 4-on-4 format with substitutes changing on the fly. Special pond hockey goals will be used.

Participants must provide their own equipment and pucks. Helmets and mouth guards are required and other protective equipment is highly recommended.

Registration deadline is Friday, Dec. 19. Teams should register at the Brainerd Parks and Recreation Department during regular business hours.

League play will be Tuesday evenings, starting Jan. 6 and lasting through mid-February, weather permitting. Games will be played at Bane Park.

To view the league rules, go to www.brainerdparks.com and look under "adult leagues" and go to pond hockey.

For information call 828-2320.