Nicole ReddickGirls basketball

Kubasaki, Okinawa

Last week: Played an integral part in the Dragons’ four-point victory over Naha International High School in an Okinawa-American League game Saturday at the Dragons’ Den, Kubasaki High School on Camp Foster.

Reddick, one of four freshmen on the squad, scored 22 points and pulled down 14 rebounds as the Dragons (4-11 overall) seized a 10-point halftime lead before holding off Naha Kokusai’s fourth-quarter comeback try for a 61-57 win.

“She works hard at both ends of the court,” coach Bob Driggs said, adding that thanks to Reddick and the other freshmen, Kubasaki has “turned the corner. The parts are coming together. And the freshmen are starting to provide a little go-power. Nikki is a prime example. She’s starting to work the boards and her offense is coming around.”

Yamato CibulkaWrestling

Nile C. Kinnick, Japan

Last week: Earned Outstanding Wrestler honors and captured the 148-pound gold medal in the 2006 Nile C. Kinnick Invitational “Beast of the Far East” Tournament at Nile C. Kinnick High School, Yokosuka Naval Base.

Cibulka, a senior, won his title in perhaps the most exciting final of the day-long event featuring 11 schools. The bout went to overtime, and Cibulka, needing at least a point to end the bout before going to a second extra 30-second session, tilted his opponent, Kouki Ogasawara of team champion Shonan, in a back press for three points to win it.

“He’s a hard-working kid, on and off the mat,” assistant coach Go Yamada said. “He’s a kid with a lot of heart who wears his emotions on his sleeve, and it fuels him on the mat.

— Selected by Stars and Stripes staff

Migrated