Smelser Stepping Down as Canyons Men’s Coach

Lee Smelser, the only men’s basketball coach College of the Canyons has had, will resign at the end of this season after 31 years at the school.

Smelser, 64, guided Canyons to the Mountain Valley Conference title in 1985 and to Western State Conference Southern Division championships in 1991, ’92 and ’94.

The Cougars, 12-17 and 5-6 in WSC Southern Division play entering its regular-season finale Saturday against Glendale, have a 443-511 record under Smelser.

“I just think it’s time to hand this thing off and let someone younger take over,” Smelser said. “I was toying with the idea of retiring this year or next year and this year just seemed like the right time.”

WATER POLO

* Julie Olson had six goals and Sarah Vejar scored five for Burroughs High (24-5) in a 14-3 victory over Louisville on Thursday in a Southern Section Division III girls’ wild-card game at Burroughs.