West Seattle, Washington
17 Wednesday
63-41, West Seattle over Edmonds-Woodway. Wildcat girls to state! Here's how the game ended. #wabkbscores pic.twitter.com/Jz1mkRTIQA
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) February 25, 2017
(Video: How the game ended)
1:25 PM: We’re at Bellevue College, where the West Seattle High School girls have just beaten Edmonds-Woodway 63-41 in a must-win regionals game. This means they’re off to the state tournament next – their first game will be against Lincoln HS at 9 am Wednesday in the Tacoma Dome (here’s the bracket). In this afternoon’s game, the Wildcats led all the way; we’ll add photos and details later.
ADDED 7:45 PM: This is the second time in three years that the WSHS girls have made it to the state tournament, first time under head coach Darnell Taylor.
In this afternoon’s game, the Wildcats never trailed. #11 Jasmine Gayles was their top scorer today with 17 points; she drove in for the first basket of the game at just over one minute in, 2-0 WSHS over Edmonds-Woodway, who for most of the game played far less aggressively than West Seattle. Read More
Three local high-school teams are heading into the regional/state playoffs, and this morning we finally have the slate for the next games for all three.
The final opponent to be filled in was for the West Seattle High School girls. Now we know they’ll play Edmonds-Woodway HS in regionals at noon Saturday (February 25th) at Bellevue College (3000 Landenholm Circle SE). It’s a must-win game for them to advance to state (here’s the bracket).
Right after the girls’ game, the West Seattle HS boys play a regionals game against Timberline HS, 2 pm at Bellevue College. They are guaranteed at least one game at the state tournament, however this one turns out (here’s the bracket).
Also at 2 pm Saturday, the Seattle Lutheran High School boys play Napavine HS in a regionals game at WF West HS (in Chehalis). They too are guaranteed at least one state-tournament game beyond this (here’s the bracket).
Another youth-sports league is getting ready for its 2017 season: The tryouts for Seattle Pride AAU boys’ basketball (explained here) are about to start, with 4th- through 8th-grade boys invited to try out this weekend:
Saturday, February 25th – 4th-6th Boys – 4-5:30 pm @ Seattle Lutheran High School
Saturday, February 25th – 7th-8th Boys – 5:30-7 pm @ Seattle Lutheran High SchoolSunday, February 26th – 4th-6th Boys – 4-5:30 pm @ Seattle Lutheran High School
Sunday, February 26th – 7th-8th Boys – 5:30-7 pm @ Seattle Lutheran High School
High-school boys’ tryouts start one week later:
Freshmen – 15U
Sunday, March 5th – Frosh/15U Boys – 4-6 pm @ Seattle Lutheran High School
Thursday, March 9th – Frosh/15U Boys – 5-6:45 pm @ Seattle Lutheran High School
Friday, March 10th – Freshman / 15U Boys – 5-6:45 pm @ Seattle Lutheran High SchoolSophomores/Juniors/Seniors – 16U, 17U, 18U
Monday, March 6th – Seniors, Juniors, & Sophomore Boys Only- 7-9 pm @ West Seattle High School (3 courts)
Thursday, March 9th – Soph/Juniors/Unsigned Seniors – 7-9 pm @ Seattle Lutheran High School
Friday, March 10th – Soph/Juniors/Unsigned Seniors – 7-9 pm @ Seattle Lutheran High School
To register early, sign up here. See the official tryouts flyer here. (Photo courtesy Seattle Pride Basketball)
(Photo courtesy Gil White)
Back in 2012, we brought you the story of Hudson White‘s BMX-racing achievements at the age of 5. Hudson is now 10 and not only still racing, but also continuing to succeed – dad Gil White just sent us the news that Hudson has qualified for international competition!
West Seattleite and Arbor Heights Elementary student Hudson White qualified to represent the United States in the 10 Challenge Boys class at the UCI World BMX Championships late this July.
Hudson competed last weekend at the UCI World’s Qualifier race in Phoenix. A long day of competitive laps against 35 other 10-year olds resulted in Hudson racing his way into the main event and an invitation to Team USA.
More than 3,300 riders from more than 40 countries are expected for the 2017 UCI World BMX Championships in Rock Hill, South Carolina.The last time this event was hosted in the United States was 2001.
Hudson and his family are excited to be a part of this event.
(Photo courtesy Tracy Holloway)
As youth-sports signup season continues, West Seattle Little League sends word that it has room for players ages 4 to 8 years old – registration is still open for T-Ball, Coach Pitch, and Rookie Division. “Getting as many kids started as we can, as early as possible, benefits the league for the many years that follow,” explains Tracy Holloway of WSLL. You can sign up through the WSLL website – look for the registration link at top right.
Imagine a sunny spring day … golfing to help local high-school athletes. Whatever happens from here, the West Seattle High School boys’ basketball team (headed next for regional/state play) has had a great year. Along with cheering them on in the stands as the playoffs continue, you’re invited to support them this spring via the third annual Wildcat Golf Fundraiser, April 8th at Riverbend Golf Complex in Kent.
This is a shotgun start, scramble tournament fundraiser for the West Seattle High School Boys Basketball Program. Handicaps will be used in addition with team final score to determine the champions, as well as the 2nd & 3rd place finishers. There will be a men’s and woman’s long-drive contest, plus a closest-to-the-pin contest. Also, the use of mulligans are strongly encouraged and can be purchased at the clubhouse before the tournament begins. With this fundraiser, we the basketball program hope to supply our athletes with quality basketball instruction, as well as equipment to perform at the highest level. We appreciate your support. Go Wildcats!
Tee time is 7:30 am, after check-in starting at 6:45 am, with entry including green fees, power cart, range balls, prize fund, and meal ticket. You can buy your ticket(s) now by going here.
P.S. The boys’ next game is set – a regional match vs. Timberline, at Bellevue College, 2 pm Saturday (February 25th)
(UPDATED 11:55 PM with photos, video, details)
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
FIRST REPORT, 9:45 PM: We’re at Bellevue College, where the West Seattle High School girls have just won the SeaKing district basketball championship, 58-50 over Mercer Island. The Wildcats were never behind, but it got close in a few spots. Photos, video, and game details to come.
ADDED 11:55 PM: Here’s how it happened. The Wildcats started off with a roar – for WSHS fans, it was an electrifying first quarter.
West Seattle scored first, Mercer answered quickly, and the 2-2 tie half a minute into the game was the only point at which WSHS did not lead.
#10 Jenna McPhee‘s three-pointer at 7:15 was the first of three 3’s for her in the quarter, six for the team overall – two by #4 Kelsie Lenzie – representing 18 of their 22 first-quarter points. But hot outside shooting, enabling them to literally get over the Mercer Island defense, was just part of what had them ahead 22-8 at the end of the first quarter. They dominated the boards and guarded MI closely.
In the second quarter, Mercer Island fought harder. They racked up eight unanswered points to get to 22-16 before WSHS #3 Izzy Turk hit a three-pointer midway through the quarter. Within a minute, #20 Grace Sarver got her first basket of the game:
End of 1st half, West Seattle girls 36, Mercer Is 25. (VIDEO: Sarver basket in 2nd Q) pic.twitter.com/pCLocV12hP
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) February 19, 2017
The Wildcats controlled the last few minutes of the half and went into the locker room ahead 36-25.
#11 Jasmine Gayles added to that near the start of the second half; a basket by #32 Meghan Fiso, top Wildcat scorer on the night with 15, widened the lead two minutes later to 40-26.
And that’s when Mercer Island stepped up their game again. After six unanswered points, they were just eight back, at 40-32. The Wildcats’ Lenzie was knocked down and had to be helped off the court. Shortly thereafter, the ball got stuck on the rim of the Mercer Island basket. And in the ensuing moments, MI went on another run, particularly their senior star Anna Luce. At the end of the third quarter, West Seattle’s lead had been slashed to three, 46-43.
But the Wildcats weren’t going to let this one get away. Rilcy Newsome added two in the first minute of the fourth quarter. Gayles – second-leading scorer for WSHS tonight with 12 – and Sarver followed, with MI picking up only two points along the way, and midway through the quarter, WSHS was ahead 52-45.
That wasn’t enough of a pad to get complacent, though, as demonstrated by a Mercer Island three-pointer taking almost half of it away. But they didn’t get any closer than four points back – and 54-50, with about 1:30 to go, was the last time they saw that margin. A Gayles basket on an assist from Fiso put West Seattle up 56-50 with 1:12 to go; on MI’s next possession, Luce had a rare miss. Fiso pulled down the rebound, and MI started fouling in last-minute desperation. Izzy Turk got both ends of a 1-and-1 and that brought things to the final score, 58-50 – leading to this jubilation:
We’ll find out later this weekend who and when head coach Darnell Taylor and the district-champion Wildcats play next.
(Here’s the link for the regional and state brackets, once they’re set).
Thanks to Mike Jensen for first word from Sedro-Woolley, where the Seattle Lutheran High School boys have finished the district playoffs with second place, after tonight’s win over Friday Harbor HS, 64-42. Next, it’s off to regional/state playoffs in Spokane, starting next Friday; we’ll find out later this weekend who, and when, the Saints play next.
(WSB photo from 2016 cleat exchange @ Second Gear Sports)
Baseball season gets under way soon for hundreds of local players, and again this year, Second Gear Sports (WSB sponsor) is hosting a cleat exchange. This year, it’s in partnership with West Seattle Baseball, West Seattle Girls’ Softball, and West Seattle Little League. The dates are 4-7 pm Saturday, March 4th, and 9 am-noon Sunday, March 12th, but starting TODAY, you can drop off the cleats that will qualify your player(s) for the exchange. SGS explains how it works:
Before the Cleat Exchange:
-Bring your clean and gently used baseball cleats to Second Gear Sports anytime for drop-off between February 18th and February 28th.
-If you have other related gear you wish to consign, to expedite your dropoff, please put all items in a paper shopping bag clearly marked with your name and phone number.
-Additional baseball gear (bats, gloves, helmets, pants, etc.) will be inventoried, priced, and made available for sale at the event.
During the Exchange
-Free/exchange cleats will be located in a specially marked area, limit two pairs per family. Every attending family is entitled to free cleats from the swap table.
-All other baseball gear will be available for sale at a special one-day only discount. After the sale, regular prices will apply.
-Enjoy additional in-store discounts, complimentary snacks, and drinks.
-Bring in a food donation for West Seattle Food Bank.
Questions? Call Second Gear Sports – which is at 6529 California SW in Morgan Junction – at 206-935-3552 or e-mail info@secondgearsports.com
P.S. Today through February 28th, SGS has a sale on winter gear – 25 percent off.
While the West Seattle High School boys’ second game in eight days against Nathan Hale ended the way the first one did – with a loss – the Wildcats refused to be intimidated by the nation’s #1 team. They were behind by just 3 points at halftime (29-26) and after three quarters (44-41).
The WSHS defense limited Hale’s ability to run and gun. It was another physical game, with fouls and steals, but the Wildcats just couldn’t close the gap in the final moments, and Hale got the win, 62-52. WSHS #1 Nate Pryor led scoring with 31.
The Wildcats should find out sometime Sunday who and when they play next.
(UPDATED 9:07 PM with details, photos)
FINAL: West Seattle HS girls beat Bellevue, 47-37. (Video: 4th Q basket by Jasmine Gayles) pic.twitter.com/rr9j46bGYf
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) February 17, 2017
(Video: 4th-quarter basket by WSHS’s Jasmine Gayles)
FIRST REPORT, 4:19 PM: “Championship game, here we come!” yelled a West Seattle High School fan, as the Wildcat girls beat defending state 3A champs Bellevue HS 47-37 moments ago at Bellevue College. They play for the district championship at 8:15 pm Saturday, again at Bellevue College, vs. the winner of tonight’s game between Bishop Blanchet and Cleveland at Chief Sealth. Photos and details from today’s game, coming up.
ADDED 9:07 PM: Photos and game summary ahead: Read More
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
ORIGINAL REPORT, 7:01 PM: We’re at the Chief Sealth IHS gym, where the West Seattle High School boys just won their district-tournament game against Ballard HS, 62-44. The Wildcats led after each quarter; here’s how the first half ended, before they went into halftime ahead 25-18:
WSHS boys run up a 25-18 lead over Ballard going into halftime. Here's how the half ended: pic.twitter.com/pG8bTjcLw1
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) February 15, 2017
The WSHS boys’ next game in districts is Thursday at Bellevue College, 8:15 pm, vs. the winner of tonight’s game between Nathan Hale and Eastside Catholic.
10:57 PM: Photos added:
#22 Yusuf Mohamed ended the night with 19 points; next was #1 Nate Pryor, with 17:
#3 Tyler Lenzie had 9, and #13 Cass Elliott netted 6.
If you’re going to the 8:15 pm Thursday game, you’ll be cheering for the Wildcats vs. Nathan Hale, in a rematch of their recent Metro tournament faceoff. And however that turns out, WSHS is guaranteed a berth in the state tournament as a result of tonight’s win.
At halftime, Garfield girls 34, West Seattle 27. Video – McPhee three from 2nd quarter. (Not shown but big, Turk 3 @ halftime buzzer) pic.twitter.com/LZgeOsh9Fs
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) February 14, 2017
(Video added: Jenna McPhee three-pointer during second quarter)
FIRST REPORT, 4:36 PM: We’re at Bellevue College, where the West Seattle High School girls-basketball team has just pulled out a thriller of a district-playoffs win, 64-63 over Garfield HS. The Wildcats were behind for the entire first half, took the lead for the first time midway through the third quarter, but never pulled away, and the fourth quarter was a nailbiter, but when the buzzer sounded, WSHS took the win. Photos, video, and more details later.
ADDED 6:48 PM: The first quarter was not a good one for West Seattle – Garfield led the entire way, pulling out to a double-digit lead within a few minutes, and ending the first quarter on top, 22-13. They kept the lead for the second quarter too, but the real turning point of this game was probably the West Seattle three-pointers that bookended halftime: Izzy Turk sank one at the buzzer that ended the half, so what had been a 10-point deficit for the Wildcats was cut to 7, 34-27. Then the first scoring of the second half was a three by Jenna McPhee that trimmed the Bulldogs’ lead to 34-30.
Two minutes into the third quarter, WSHS tied Garfield 34-34. The two teams fought especially hard in the second half, and foul shots abounded. WSHS took the lead 38-36 with three and a half minutes to go in the third quarter on a basket by #20 Grace Sarver. Just a few minutes later, Turk was knocked down and had to leave the game. But her teammates fought on. The lead was traded multiple times; Garfield had it, 42-40, at the end of the third quarter.
A WSHS foul early in the fourth quarter gave Garfield more opportunities at the free-throw line, and shortly thereafter, same went for WSHS. Then a Garfield bucket took the Bulldogs’ lead to 45-41; WSHS’s Jasmine Gayles answered quickly to cut the lead to 45-43, with six and a half minutes left. After a couple more intense minutes, WSHS tied Garfield 45-45, and more lead-trading ensued. Back-to-backs by Sarver and Fiso opened a four-point lead for the Wildcats – three-fourths erased by a Garfield three-pointer – and the scoring was fast and furious from there. They were tied again, 59-59, with just a minute and a half left; within the final minute, they had a three-point lead, cut to one by Garfield with seconds to go, and WSHS held on for the 64-63 win.
Next up in districts, head coach Darnell Taylor‘s Wildcat girls will play another 3 pm game at Bellevue College (3000 Landerholm Circle SE) on Thursday (February 16th), vs. the winner of tonight’s game vs. Bellevue and Seattle Prep.
Both the West Seattle High School girls (who took 2nd in the Metro League playoffs) and boys (who finished 3rd) have district-tournament games tomorrow, and we know today who they’ll be playing. The girls will play Garfield at 3 pm Tuesday at Bellevue College (3000 Landerholm Circle SE); the boys will play Ballard at 5:30 pm Tuesday at the Chief Sealth IHS gym (2600 SW Thistle).
Congratulations to Addison “Archer Addy” Nachtrieb for another achievement in her already-illustrious career! The announcement and photos are from her family and support team:
Addison Nachtrieb, 13-year-old West Seattle student, stood on the podium yesterday as the 2017 World Archery Festival “Vegas Shoot” CHAMPION, 12-15 year division, containing 95 archers. The Vegas Shoot is the largest archery event in the world attracting 3,500 of the top archers around the world.
Addy’s score after two days of shooting, 579/600 34/60X, puts her within the top 13 indoor archery women of all ages, including adults, in the world! In Addy’s own words: “I was just having fun.” A testament not only to Addy, who shot a perfect 300/300 19X in her second day of competition, and her mental perseverance – as this is a mind-control game – but the coaching staff who support her.
Addy was awarded a $1,000 USD scholarship and her target was placed on the coveted Hoyt Archery perfect 300 score wall!!! Asked her favorite moment by her father just after shooting, she commented, “Dad, I think the best was when I made a girl smile, not my score. She shot two 8’s and a 9. She was tearing up walking back to the line. I did that once. I told her it doesn’t matter, there are lots of arrows to shoot, not even here, this is just where you are practicing. She told her Mom and her mom told my mom that I made her smile in her tears. That was the best time in my shooting today.”
Addison Nachtrieb is coached by Rob Cook at Next Step Archery and the Nock Point. Addy is also a three-time NFAA National Champion, holds an NFAA National record, was the 2015 Washington State Junior Archer of the Year and has a book on Amazon, “Archer Addy.” You can follow her experiences on Facebook and on Instagram as “Archer Addy.”
We first featured Archer Addy three and a half years ago, when she won a state championship at age 9.
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
Close call for the Seattle Lutheran High School boys on Saturday night, but the Saints pulled out a 42-38 postseason win against La Conner, and ran their winning streak to 18.
The SeaLu boys, coached by Brett Kapels, had double-digit leads at halftime and through the end of the third quarter, but La Conner worked up a comeback in the rough-and-tumble, low-scoring game, and even took the lead. But with less than a minute to go, Seattle Lutheran #20, senior guard Roberto Duenaz was fouled, and put SeaLu ahead by converting a one-and-one into two points. Then with less than 30 seconds to go, Saints’ #1, senior Grant Ball, was fouled and also picked up the one-and-one to get back ahead of La Conner for the win.
Ball led scoring with 14 points on the night:
Duenaz was next with 12.
And #34, senior forward Josh Meyer, was the third leading scorer, with 7.
The Saints’ next game is Thursday (February 16th) in Sedro-Woolley, vs. Orcas Island, 6 pm.
It’s still peak season for youth-sports signups! Today West Seattle Baseball wants to remind you that its registration continues for just under two more weeks; deadline is February 24th. WSBB has divisions for ages 4 through 18 – full details, and the signup link, can be found on the league website.
(WSB photo: Coach of the Year Keffrey Fazio, Metro League 1st Team’s Nate Pryor)
Between the Friday night Metro League championship games in the Chief Sealth IHS gym, all-league honors were presented. Above, from West Seattle High School boys’ basketball, Keffrey Fazio is the league’s Coach of the Year, and Nate Pryor was chosen for the all-league first team again.
Also announced, the all-league girls’ teams, with Sealth’s Labrea Denson and WSHS’s Jasmine Gayles on the 2nd team, and WSHS’s Grace Sarver and Sealth’s Sydney Thomas on the 3rd team.
(We haven’t found the full list online yet but will add when we do.)
Another basketball score from tonight: The Chief Sealth International High School boys came close to a district-playoff spot – but lost to Ballard 61-59, who scored in the final seconds of their qualifying game, played at Garfield HS.
6:56 PM: We’re at the Chief Sealth gym, where the Metro League basketball championship games are being played tonight. The girls’ title game has just ended, with the West Seattle High School girls losing to still-undefeated Bishop Blanchet. They were tied 27-27 at halftime, but Blanchet pulled away in the second half, and the final score was 62-46.
10:12 PM: Photos and details added, and what’s next for the WSHS girls: Read More
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
9:54 PM: An overtime thriller tonight – the West Seattle High School boys-varsity basketball team beat Rainier Beach, 61-56, in their postseason game at Chief Sealth IHS. That brought the Wildcats a third-place finish in the Metro League tournament. Next stop for head coach Keffrey Fazio‘s team, the district tournament, and a 5:30 pm game Tuesday (February 14th), again in the gym at Sealth. Their opponent won’t be determined until this Saturday.
10:55 PM: Adding photos and details. The first half saw WSHS challenged in keeping control of the ball. But after halftime, the Wildcats started controlling rebounds during the low-scoring third quarter.
Top scorer for WSHS tonight was #1 Nate Pryor (21 points). In the fourth quarter, he and #22 Yusuf Mohamed (11 points) had back-to-back three-pointers.
The night’s second-leading scorer for WSHS was #5 Abdullahi Mohamed with 18:
Regulation play ended at 46-all; in OT, board control and foul shots helped WSHS get the win. According to the bracket, their Tuesday opponent will be whichever team takes Saturday’s game between Mercer Island and the winner of tomorrow’s Chief Sealth-Ballard game.
First of two high-school basketball updates tonight: Though the Chief Sealth International High School boys lost to Cleveland, 81-61, in tonight’s postseason game at Garfield HS, they have one more shot at a spot in the district tournament. Head coach Colin Slingsby‘s Seahawks will play Ballard at 5:45 pm tomorrow at Garfield; winner goes to districts, loser’s done for the year. Sealth won its last game against Ballard, 65-62 on January 31st.
We’ve been talking a lot about basketball this week but other winter sports are in playoff/championship mode too. This morning we’re sharing a report and photo from Brent Lindblom on the Kennedy Catholic High School swim team’s achievement – though the school’s in Burien, it has many students from West Seattle. After placing 2nd in districts, KCHS swimmers are headed to state:
Congratulations to Kennedy Catholic High School Swim Team who placed an overall Second Place in the West Central District III 4A Swim Championship out a of a field of 22 other teams last weekend at the Western Central District III 4A Boys Swim and Dive Championship at Curtis High School.
From left to right: Coach Eric Kress, Riley Duvall, Ian Olufson, New Poshyananda, Luke Dorsett, Jack Fenster, Ty Lindblom (from West Seattle), and Ben Kinerk (from West Seattle).
The boys will compete in the 200-medley relay, 200 free relay and the 400-free relay, with Riley Duvall, as Alternate. Go Lancers !!!!!!WIAA 4A Swim and Dive Championships:
Qualified Athletes
Ian O. (200 Freestyle, 100 Freestyle), Jack F. (50 Freestyle), Ty L. (100 Backstroke)
Medley Relay – 200 Freestyle Relay – 400 Freestyle Relay
Relay Athletes: (Ty Lindblom, Ben Kinerk, Jack Fenster, Ian Olufson, Luke Dorsett, New Poshyananda, and Riley Duvall)
The championships are at King County Aquatics Center (650 SW Campus Dr, Federal Way). Prelims are on Friday, February 17th, 8:45 am warmup, 9:45 am meet start; finals are on Saturday, February 18th, 8:30 am warmups, 9:30 am meet start. Admission for one day is $10 adults/$8 students/$8 seniors. Weekend passes, $16 adults/$11 students and seniors. Kids under 5 are free.
Thanks for the report! Any other local athletes headed to state? editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you!
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