| 3A | LIVE 5! | |
|---|---|---|
| # | School | |
| 1 | Nathan Hale | |
| 2 | Garfield | |
| 3 | Rainier Beach | |
| 4 | Lincoln | |
| 5 | West Seattle | |
| 3A | IN THE HUNT | |
|---|---|---|
| # | School | |
| 6 | Seattle Preparatory | |
| 7 | Shorecrest | |
| 8 | Stanwood | |
| 9 | Cleveland | |
| 10 | Shadle Park | |
| 3A | LIVE 5! | |
|---|---|---|
| # | School | |
| 1 | Blanchet | |
| 2 | Kamiakin | |
| 3 | Lincoln | |
| 4 | Seattle Preparatory | |
| 5 | Garfield | |
| 3A | IN THE HUNT | |
|---|---|---|
| # | School | |
| 6 | Stanwood | |
| 7 | Bellevue | |
| 8 | Snohomish | |
| 9 | Shorewood | |
| 10 | Gig Harbor | |
Roosevelt Sinks Ballard in Crosstown Rivalry Rematch
By Steve Dion
| Tuesday- January 17th | 2017 | Boys | 3A | Metro | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ballard High School | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final | |
| Roosevelt | 15 | 13 | 10 | 15 | 53 | |
| Ballard | 5 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 50 | |
Roosevelt Junior Asaph Brumer
Rivalry night at Ballard HS featured the host Beavers and visiting Roosevelt Rough Riders. These teams are both fighting to maintain their position in the thick of the Metro League standings.
Roosevelt’s precision offense was firing on all cylinders in the early stages of the game working the ball to their number of scoring options including Nick Blume who knocked down eight quick points of his game-high 21. Additionally, the Riders were able to hold the Beavs to only 5 first quarter points.
As the first half wore on, Fresh Ausur ignited Ballard who were on a mission to play catch up throughout the ballgame. Ausur attacked the bucket and was able to convert at will. Roosevelt still maintained a healthy lead heading into the second half.
When play resumed, Ballard’s comeback continued with Sam Heikell showing his range with four from downtown in the game in addition to more Ausur stepping up.
However, as the clock wound down, Roosevelt relied on its senior leaders Thomas Doyle and Clayton Moore to knock down the big shots to seal the deal for the green and gold.
The Final Score
Roosevelt 53, Ballard 48.
Top Performers:
Roosevelt
Nick Blume- 21 points
Ballard
Fresh Ausur- 17 points
West Seattle, Cleveland Prevail in Unity Hoops Showcase
By Steve Dion
| Friday- January 13th | 2017 | Boys | 3A | 5pm | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garfield High School | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final | |
| West Seattle | 15 | 14 | 6 | 18 | 53 | |
| Eastside Catholic | 8 | 7 | 17 | 12 | 44 | |
| Friday- January 13th | 2017 | Boys | 3A | 7pm | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garfield High School | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | OT | Final | |
| Cleveland | 10 | 18 | 14 | 22 | 6 | 70 | |
| Franklin | 16 | 11 | 18 | 19 | 4 | 68 | |
Cleveland & Franklin Battling For the Rebound at the End of Regulation
The 4th Annual Unity Hoops Showcase at Garfield High School featured a Metro League doubleheader starting with West Seattle taking on Eastside Catholic & the nightcap between Cleveland & Franklin.
West Seattle’s commitment to their gameplan which emphasized defensive intensity and precision offensive execution carried them to a sizable lead in the first half. The Wildcats kept Crusader sharpshooter Brock Mackenzie at bay while Yusuf Mohamed put his versatile scoring ability logging 10 of his game-high 16 in the first half.
Eastside Catholic stormed back in the third frame thanks Noah Springborn finding a groove from beyond the arc. Only leading by three heading into the final quarter, West Seattle relied on their trusty senior Nate Pryor to carry them to the finish line to the tune of a 53-44 victory.
Game two matched the Cleveland Eagles & Franklin Quakers both eager to pick up a crucial league win. The tandem of Marquan Williams and Maurice Bennett was hot out of the gates with electrifying ball handling by Williams and thunderous dunks by “Mo Buckets”. Cleveland relied on their leader C.J. Elleby to lead the charge including a pair of triples in the final moments of the first half to give the Eagles a one point leading heading into halftime.
The pace of play shifted into overdrive in the third quarter with the pace ramping up into the final frame of regulation which saw the Franklin guards attacking the rim with reckless abandon and the Eagles countering with transition buckets in bunches. Cleveland led by a pair in the final seconds of regulation. After coming up with the defensive rebound, instead of waiting to be fouled, they turned the ball over to Franklin in which Cejay Garrison Jr. was able to capitalize with a clutch bucket to tie the game and send the game into OT.
A pair of back-to-back buckets early in the extra period gave Cleveland the needed lift to come away with the win against a tough Quakers squad. This game was an appropriate ending to a great night of high school hoops at Garfield High School.
The Final Score
West Seattle 53, Eastside Catholic 44
Cleveland 70, Franklin 68
Top Performers:
West Seattle
Yusuf Mohamed- 16 points
Cleveland
C.J. Elleby- 33 points
Statement Win for Nathan Hale Over Oak Hill Academy
By Nic Beckman
| Monday- January 16th | 2017 | Boys | 3A | Hoophall Classic | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield College | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final | |
| Oak Hill Academy (VA) | 19 | 19 | 17 | 22 | 77 | |
| Nathan Hale | 17 | 26 | 20 | 17 | 80 | |
The #8 team in the country travelled to Springfield, Massachusetts on the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr holiday to play in the Spalding Hoophall Classic against perennial high school powerhouse Oak Hill Academy out of Virginia, ranked #7 this year. Michael Porter Jr after sitting out their game on Friday in their metro league game against Bishop Blanchet, that the Raiders won 83-48, came out ready to play! The undefeated Raiders played with confidence and energy and didn’t let the loaded Oak Hill Academy squad led by McDonald’s All American Billy Preston intimidate them. Senior Michael Porter Jr and his junior brother Jontay Porter got the first 8 points for Hale, 4 apiece to get an early lead over Oak Hill. But the very talented Oak Hill team rallied to get up by 6 at 14-8 halfway though the first. The back an forth action had Oak Hill up by two after one 19-17.
The transition game sparked Brandon Roy’s Raiders in the second period after Oak Hill opened on an 8-4 run extending their lead to 6 at 27-21. The Porter brothers hit back to back threes and Sophomore PJ Fuller with a right hand tomahawk jam on a Keegan Crosby lob in transition, then a pull up three on the next trip cut the lead to 2 at 34-32 with just over three minutes in the half. Tied at 34 with 2:58 left, the Raiders closed the half on an 9-4 run of their own and went into the locker room up five, 43-38. Michael Porter Jr tallied 20 first half points on 8-14 field goal attempts.
The second half was much of the same great basketball with contributions from Jontay Porter, PJ Fuller and Fred Brown III, tied at 51 with just under 4 minutes played in the third, Michael Porter Jr hit his third 3 (3-6 3’s) and a goal tend by Oak Hill had the Raiders back up by 5. As the clock ran out in the 3rd, PJ Fuller with a launch from the free throw line in back court, hit nothing but net and the 80 foot bomb put Nathan Hale up 63-55 heading into the final period. Fred Brown III deep three from the right corner gave Nathan Hale their largest lead of the game in the fourth quarter at 72-62.
The very talented Oak Hill team would battle back, getting the game within a single possession, behind the leadership of Lindell Wigginton who would finish with 22. Three other players getting double digit performances Billy Preston with 17, Matt Coleman and Ty-shon Alexander each with 15. But that wasn’t enough to overcome the Raiders. Michael Porter Jr. making a statement for the #1 player in the nation overall, finished with 36 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals. Sophomore PJ Fuller finished with 17 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal and Junior Jontay Porter got 13 points to go with 7 rebounds, 4 blocks and a steal. Nathan Hale with a fantastic effort from start to finish would hold on to win as a last second desperation three for the tie hit the front of the rim as the buzzer sounded. The Raiders remain undefeated with the 80-77 win over Oak Hill Academy on the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr holiday.
The Final Score
Nathan Hale 80, Oak Hill Academy (VA) 77.
Top Performers:
Nathan Hale
Michael Porter Jr.- 36 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals
P.J. Fuller- 17 points, 4 rebounds
Jontay Porter- 13 points, 7 rebounds, 4 blocks
Lady Bulldogs Edge Rainier Beach in Pivotal League Win
By Steve Dion
| Friday- January 13th | 2017 | Girls | 3A | Metro | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garfield High School | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final | |
| Rainier Beach | 15 | 8 | 20 | 16 | 59 | |
| Garfield | 9 | 22 | 11 | 20 | 62 | |
Garfield Sophomore Samaiyah Tolliver
A packed Garfield gym for a Friday night hoops quadruple-header featured a crucial varsity girls league matchup between the host Lady Bulldogs and visiting Rainier Beach Vikings. After a tough loss to West Seattle last Friday night, Garfield was hungry for the opportunity to pick up a big win against a top team jockeying for league position. The ever-improving Viks were ready for the challenge.
Beach took the early lead in the first frame with NiRae Petty leading the charge who led all scorers with 23 points. Talented freshman for the Vikings Dalayah Daniels was guarded tightly by the Bulldogs defense and earned all 10 points she recorded. After falling behind early, Garfield put together a high-octane second quarter which was sparked by Tamia Mobley. Also in the mix was guard Juanita Agosto whose athleticism was on display on the glass grabbing 10 rebounds. At the break, the Bulldogs leapfrogged Beach to a 31-23 lead.
Rainier Beach composed themselves at halftime and emerged in the second half poised to make a comeback. Xerina Walker was a critical component to a run in which the Vikings regained the lead heading into the final quarter.
Samaiyah Tolliver took the ballgame into her hands in the fourth quarter leading the charge for the home team knocking down tough buckets in the paint and showing her range. Coach Adams has emphasized the importance of making “game-winning plays” this season and how the ability to execute late in ballgames will hinge on his team’s success. Tolliver’s clutch plays allowed Garfield to pick up a pivotal victory to give them sole possession of fourth place in the league standings.
The Final Score
Garfield 62, Rainier Beach 59.
Top Performers:
Garfield
Samaiyah Tolliver- 18 points
Rainier Beach
NiRae Petty- 23 points
Garfield Storms Back in Second Half to Knock Off Beach
By Steve Dion
| Friday- January 13th | 2017 | Boys | 3A | Metro | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garfield High School | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final | |
| Rainier Beach | 16 | 20 | 15 | 9 | 60 | |
| Garfield | 8 | 12 | 26 | 18 | 64 | |
Garfield Senior Jaylen Nowell
There is no question that excitement is building about Metro League hoops as the season rolls on.
A capacity crowd at Garfield High School arrived hours before the much anticipated varsity boys matchup between Rainier Beach & the host Bulldogs. A critical league win which would figure strongly into playoff seeding was on the line for two of the top teams in the state.
Coach Bethea’s Vikings were ready to tackle the challenge head on as his team jumped out to a sizeable lead in the first two quarters. Khalil Shabazz’s jumper was lights out by logging 13 of his team high 19 points in the first half. Additionally, the Beach defense locked down the several lethal scoring options for the Bulldogs only allowing 20 first-half points, a tremendous effort by the defending champs. N’Keil Nelson was unfazed by the big stage of the game making big plays on both sides of the floor. Garfield senior leader Jaylen Nowell had a quiet first half, could the Viks continue to limit the Bulldog star’s productivity in the final two quarters?
The proverbial light switch flipped on for the home team in the third quarter as the Rainier Beach lead shrunk from sixteen to five heading into the final frame. Much of this was due to Nowell finding his groove logging 13 in the third frame. Could they carry the newly-found momentum into the final quarter?
Much like last Friday’s game against West Seattle, Garfield got a lift from Curtis Walker who knocked down a few crucial buckets in the closing minutes to grab the lead and send the home crowd into a frenzy. Daejon Davis played a big role especially in the defensive side of the floor to set up the key baskets down the stretch. Rainier Beach’s inability to match the Bulldogs in the final minute allowed the Garfield lead to reach four with mere seconds remaining. An errant last shot sailed wide and the home team was greeted by the Dog Pound on the court after surmounting a 16 point halftime lead!
This rivalry matchup served as a reminder that the spotlight on high school hoops in Seattle continues to shine brighter as league play heats up and the playoffs on the horizon!
The Final Score
Garfield 64, Rainier Beach 60.
Top Performers:
Garfield
Jaylen Nowell- 25 points
Rainier Beach
Khalil Shabazz- 19 points
Balanced Beach Attack Sinks Tough Battle Against Cru
By Steve Dion
| Monday- January 9th | 2017 | Boys | 3A | Metro | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rainier Beach High School | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final | |
| Eastside Catholic | 22 | 9 | 11 | 22 | 66 | |
| Rainier Beach | 18 | 19 | 12 | 22 | 71 | |
Rainier Beach Senior N’Keil Nelson
In a rare Monday night game in the Metro League, Rainier Beach hosted the Eastside Catholic Crusaders for to make up their regularly scheduled matchup that was postponed earlier this season. Given the current standings with Beach keeping pace at the top and the Cru jockeying for position in the middle of the pack, the stakes were high for this league clash.
The first quarter belonged to the Crusaders, specifically junior Brock Mackenzie who knocked down a flurry of buckets totaling 15 points in the first eight minutes. He would go on to lead all scorers with 28. Jorell Saterfield & N’Keil Nelson led the charge for the Viks in the first half logging eight apiece many of which set up nicely by Kevin Porter Jr. The home team led by 4 at the break.
As the second half progressed, it reached a critical moment when Porter was charged with his fourth personal foul. Could Eastside Catholic rally with the Beach star benched? O’landa Baker answered the call with a spree of slash and dash trips to the cup to give the Crusaders a chance down the stretch.
As the game reached the balance, Nelson took over as he’s done so many times and knocked down the tough buckets while the Crusaders came up empty on a few crucial possessions. The Vikings start their three game week on a good note as they will take on the Lakeside Lions tomorrow and then get set for a mammoth battle on Friday against Garfield.
The Final Score
Rainier Beach 71, Eastside Catholic 66.
Top Performers:
Rainier Beach
N’Keil Nelson- 19 points
Eastside Catholic
Brock Mackenzie- 28 points
Garfield Fends Off Wildcats, Passes Tough Road Test
By Steve Dion
| Friday- January 6th | 2017 | Boys | 3A | Metro | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Seattle High School | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final | |
| Garfield | 16 | 9 | 14 | 16 | 55 | |
| West Seattle | 6 | 17 | 9 | 18 | 50 | |
Garfield Junior Eddie Turner
Fresh off their trip to the Les Schwab Invitational in Oregon last week, the Garfield Bulldogs took a short tour across the Spokane Street bridge to West Seattle to take on a sneaky West Seattle squad. Without star guard Jaylen Nowell, the Bulldogs were certain to have their hands full to pick up the road win.
Points were at a premium in this game for a pair of teams that typically register high scoring totals. The post presence of J’Raan Brooks was felt early as the junior for Garfield reached double digit in the points column before the break. Meanwhile, Nate Pryor shouldered the load for the home team by scoring 14 of his team’s 23 before the break.
When play resumed, Garfield was able to establish some breathing room thanks to a handful of heady plays by the crafty Curtis Walker who finished with 11 of his 15 in the second half. West Seattle was able to incorporate more weapons on offense like Abdullah Mohamed, Anthony Giomi, and Simon Harris, but Garfield held its ground and was able to retain its lead and keep pace at the top of the Metro League standings.
The Final Score
Garfield 55, West Seattle 50
Top Performers:
Garfield
J’raan Brooks- 16 points
West Seattle
Nate Pryor- 21 points
West Seattle Escapes Lady Bulldog Rally
By Steve Dion
| Friday- January 6th | 2017 | Girls | 3A | Metro | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Seattle High School | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final | |
| Garfield | 15 | 14 | 12 | 17 | 58 | |
| West Seattle | 17 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 62 | |
West Seattle Sophomore Jenna McPhee
Two teams jockeying for position near the top of the Metro League standings met at West Seattle HS on Friday night as the host Wildcats welcomed the Garfield Lady Bulldogs. A critical victory was on the line as the sprint to the playoffs has begun.
Defensive intensity defined the course of this game with as Garfield utilized a full-court press throughout and West Seattle was opportunistic in their zone. Samaiyah Tolliver of Garfield and West Seattle’s Meghan Fiso led their teams in the first half with 9 and 15 points respectively in a close contest with several lead changes. As Bulldogs coach Lee Adams pointed out in our pregame interview, execution down the stretch and the ability to make game winning plays is critical.
As the third quarter progressed, West Seattle jumped out front and the depth on the roster Darnell Taylor pointed out was becoming more evident. Jasmine Gayles started to impose her will by attacking the basket and growing the WS lead.
Garfield rallied in the fourth behind the leadership of Juanita Agosto who was able to connect on some crucial runners in the paint. In the waning moments, Jenna McPhee saved her best for last on a backbreaking bucket, her first of the game, that propelled the home team to a victory.
The Final Score
West Seattle 62, Garfield 58.
Top Performers:
West Seattle
Meghan Fiso- 18 points
Garfield
Juanita Agosto- 25 points
Beach comes Roaring back after the Holiday Break
By Staff
| Tuesday- January 3rd | 2017 | Boys | 3A | Metro | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blanchet High School | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final | |
| Rainier Beach | 28 | 9 | 12 | 29 | 78 | |
| Bishop Blanchet | 8 | 11 | 10 | 17 | 46 | |
Rainier Beach Junior Nehemie Kabeya rings in the New Year
Mike Bethea and the Rainier Beach Vikings were hungry to get back to league play after the holiday break. The Vikings jumped out to a quick 20-0 lead in the first quarter and never looked back against the Bishop Blanchet Braves.
Beach took the energy out of the crowd early and played a conservative game after the first frame. Bethea used this game as a teachable moment and had the chance to give each of his players some meaningful minutes on the court. The Braves never gave up but the Vikings had full control of the game from the outset.
Rainier Beach junior Kevin Porter led all scorers with 29. He hit from everywhere on the court as he dropped in 4 three pointers. Fred Roberson also finished with a strong 17 on the night.
The Beach will host cross town rivals Franklin Friday Night starting at 8:30pm. Be sure to get to the gym early for this high energy match-up between the Quakers and Vikings.
The Final Score
Rainier Beach 78, Bishop Blanchet 46.
Top Performers:
Rainier Beach
Kevin Porter, Jr. – 29 points
Fred Roberson – 17 points
Khalil Shabazz – 9 points
Bishop Blanchet
Maui Sze- 15 points
Porter Drops 52 in O’Dea Rout
By Steve Dion
| Tuesday- January 3rd | 2017 | Boys | 3A | Metro | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O'Dea High School | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final | |
| O'Dea | 11 | 22 | 15 | 20 | 68 | |
| Nathan Hale | 31 | 26 | 38 | 15 | 110 | |
Nathan Hale Senior Michael Porter Jr.
Fresh off their Les Schwab Invitational championship, top-ranked Nathan Hale returned to league play in 2017 to take on O’Dea. The packed gymnasium was brimming with anticipation to see the high-flying Raiders take on the reigning state runner-up.
In the opening moments, PJ Fuller started the high-scoring affair with a quick 7 points as part of a 31 point first quarter. The tenacious Hale defense matched their unstoppable attack forcing turnovers and setting up Michael Porter with some high-flying slams and pinpoint shooting. The 6’9 senior logged an impressive 52 points and 15 rebounds in the contest.
O’Dea battled until the final whistle despite being down big early on including strong efforts by talented sophomore Noah Williams who scored 28 tough points and Xavier Smith who tallied 21 in the game. When the dust settled, Hale rang in the new year with a dominant 42 point win.
The Final Score
Nathan Hale 110, O’Dea 68.
Top Performers:
Nathan Hale
Michael Porter Jr.- 52 points, 15 rebounds
O’Dea
Noah Williams- 28 points
Wilson Survives Franklin Rally in Tournament of Champions Semi
By Steve Dion
| Thursday- December 29th | 2016 | Boys | Semifinal | Tournament of Champions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin High School | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final | |
| Franklin | 19 | 14 | 34 | 15 | 82 | |
| Wilson | 24 | 20 | 19 | 22 | 85 | |
Wilson Junior Emmitt Matthews Jr.
In a classic battle of Tacoma & Seattle, Wilson travelled north to Franklin to take on the Quakers on their home floor in the Tournament of Champions semi matchup with a final against Cleveland on the line.
Anthony Stokes jumped out of the game red-hot from beyond the arc knocking down five triples in the first half prompting a Quaker timeout. Emmitt Matthews Jr. joined the fun by attacking the rim using his length in the pain on offense and defense.
Crafty point guard Marquan Williams kept Franklin within striking distance by scoring in a variety of ways and dishing the ball to his teammates. At the break, the Rams held a double-digit lead at 44-33.
As the second half progressed, the Quakers started finding their groove from the perimeter knocking down 11 from the Space Needle to not only even the score, but take the lead in the closing moments. However, Dave Alwert was able to rally his troops and guide Wilson to make the necessary plays down the stretch to survive by three points, which was nearly eclipsed on a desperation flurry of Franklin heaves. The Wilson Rams punched their ticket to the Tournament of Champions final in an unorthodox way, but ultimately accomplished the goal.
The Final Score
Wilson 85, Franklin 82.
Top Performers:
Wilson
Anthony Stokes- 24 points
Franklin
Marquan Williams- 29 points
Cleveland Cruises Past Plainsmen in Semifinal Round
By Steve Dion
| Thursday- December 29th | 2016 | Boys | Tournament of Champions | Semifinal | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin High School | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final | |
| Evergreen (Vancouver) | 6 | 31 | 7 | 22 | 66 | |
| Cleveland | 24 | 22 | 26 | 12 | 84 | |
Cleveland Junior Jahleel Breland
The defending Tournament of Champions champs Cleveland stood one game away from reaching the final round again with the Evergreen Plainsmen. The Eagles jumped out to a sizeable lead in the first half through opportunistic executing from airtight defense.
CJ Elleby and Fahad Sharif led the charge with 17 and 12 first half points respectively. However, the Plainsmen were able to cut the deficit before the break with Trey Ratcliff attacking the basket and willing his team to with 14 of a 31 point second quarter.
When play resumed, Cleveland found their groove again and put the ballgame out of reach heading into the final frame. Philip White and Jahleel Breland joined the scoring spree in the second half as the Eagles rolled to a 84-66 win. Can Jerry Petty lead his squad to back-to-back tournament wins?
The Final Score
Cleveland 84, Evergreen (Vancouver) 66.
Top Performers:
Cleveland
C.J. Elleby- 23 points
Evergreen (Vancouver)
Trey Ratcliff- 16 points
Varsity Hoops Live Coach Interview
Franklin – Head Basketball Coach
Wes Williams
Franklin Quakers Head Coach Wes Williams is preparing to coach his team to play in the Tournament of Champions this week as a girls bracket has been added this year to the tourney. Listen as Coach Williams talks about improvement he is looking forward to on his Quakers team this season and the importance of fan support for girls Metro League hoops!
Franklin Head Coach Wes Williams
To catch the complete interview with Franklin Coach Williams,
simply click on the PLAY BUTTON below.
Varsity Hoops Live Coach Interview
Franklin – Head Basketball Coach
Craig Jackson
Franklin Quakers Head Coach Craig Jackson is getting set to host the Tournament of Champions this week with local and visiting team set to square off. Listen as Coach Jackson gives details about the tournament and also talk about his Quakers squad in a very challenging Metro League!
Franklin Head Coach Craig Jackson
To catch the complete interview with Franklin Coach Craig Jackson,
simply click on the PLAY BUTTON below.
Steve Willits from Sound Live Sports Network joins Steve Dion to break down WesCo hoops this season. Who are the top teams in 3A & 4A and which players should you keep an eye on all season? We’ll break it down for you!
Be sure to visit SoundLiveSportsNetwork.com and follow Steve’s high school hoops coverage all season long including the ‘Prep Chatter’ podcast at www.theHawkeye.org!
Steve Dion and T.J. Cotterill from the Tacoma News Tribune break down high school hoops in the South Sound this season. Which teams have made an early impact heading into the holiday break?
T.J. joins Steve to break down the top players, teams and the overall strength of Sound Sound hoops this year.
Be sure to visit thenewstribune.com and follow TJ’s high school hoops coverage all season long!
Varsity Hoops Live Coach Interview
Cleveland – Head Boys Basketball Coach
Jerry Petty
Coming off a 6th place finish in state last season and winners of the 2015 Tournament of Championship which they will look to defend their crown this week at Franklin High School, Cleveland Eagles Head Coach Jerry Petty joins Steve Dion to discuss this year’s squad and how his team is focused on battling against the great competition in the Metro League this year.
Cleveland Head Coach Jerry Petty
To catch the complete interview with Cleveland Coach Jerry Petty,
simply click on the PLAY BUTTON below.
Listen to the Evergreen League Hoops Overview by clicking on play button below
Hoops Overview: Evergreen League- Daniel Hargrove from Fox 1490 KWOK
12-22-16
Garfield Survives Late Run By Beamer
By Steve Dion
| Thursday- December 22nd | 2016 | Girls | 3A/4A | Metro/NPSL | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garfield High School | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final | |
| Todd Beamer | 10 | 8 | 17 | 22 | 57 | |
| Garfield | 21 | 14 | 5 | 20 | 60 | |
Garfield Sophomore Samaiyah Tolliver
A Thursday night non-league showdown featured Garfield and Todd Beamer heading into a brief holiday break before the hoops season continues.
The Lady Bulldogs had the upper hand in an tempo-contest during the first half completing their buckets in transitions and closing quarters strong. Tamia Mobley recorded 11 of her 13 points in the first two quarters including a mid-range jumper at the halftime buzzer which put her team up by 17 heading into halftime. The Titans countered with strong post play by Darion Brown who led Todd Beamer with 19 in the ballgame. Would the Titans rally in the final two quarters of play?
Garfield whose intensity carried them in the early stages of the ballgame began to play into Beamer’s favor as the game progressed as the Titans forced turnovers and created fastbreak opportunities to cut the lead down to 5 heading into the final quarter of play.
Beamer’s run continued throughout the fourth until they cut Garfield’s lead down to a single point with 5:21 to play. Points were at a premium the rest of the way and Garfield led by a pair with under 30 tick on the clock. They were able to control the ball enough to force the requisite amount of free throw attempts to eventually dash Beamer’s hope of sneaking in a late win.
The Final Score
Garfield 60, Todd Beamer 57.
Top Performers:
Garfield
Samaiyah Tolliver- 14 points
Todd Beamer
Darion Brown- 19 points
Varsity Hoops Live Coach Interview
Rainier Beach – Head Basketball Coach
Mychal Ladd
Mychal Ladd has turned the Lady Viks program around in a short period of time and Rainier Beach is off to another strong start this season as his team gets set for tournament play in San Diego during holiday break before league play heats back up. He talks about the keys to creating a well-rounded basketball program and how there is a new energy around the girls basketball at Rainier Beach High School. Have a listen!
Rainier Beach Head Coach Mychal Ladd
To catch the complete interview with Rainier Beach Coach Mychal Ladd,
simply click on the PLAY BUTTON below.
Varsity Hoops Live Coach Interview
Seattle Prep – Head Basketball Coach
Michelle Hall
Longtime head coach of the Lady Panthers Michelle Hall joins theFinalScore.TV to talk about her young and talented squad this season that has jumped out to a 4-0 start heading into the holiday break. Seattle Prep will head south to California for tournament play to test themselves before jumping back into league play. She also discusses the high level of competition in the Metro League this season.
Seattle Prep Head Coach Michelle Hall
To catch the complete interview with Seattle Prep Coach Michelle Hall,
simply click on the PLAY BUTTON below.
Varsity Hoops Live Coach Interview
West Seattle Wildcats – Head Basketball Coach
Keffrey Fazio
As we turn to holiday break in the early stages of the high school hoops season, Steve Dion catches up with West Seattle Head Coach Keffrey Fazio whose Wildcats squad is keeping pace in the tough Metro League. He discusses the identity of this year’s team and the culture of the basketball program over on California Avenue. Have a listen!
West Seattle Head Coach Keffrey Fazio
To catch the complete interview with West Seattle Coach Keffrey Fazio,
simply click on the PLAY BUTTON below.
2016 Varsity Hoops Live – Metro League Clash
Saturday, December 18, 2016
Video – 2016 copyright ZUMA Media
Rainier Beach Grinds Out Gritty Win Over West Seattle
By Steve Dion
| Saturday- December 17th | 2016 | Boys | 3A | Metro | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Seattle High School | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final | |
| West Seattle | 14 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 46 | |
| Rainier Beach | 11 | 17 | 8 | 14 | 50 | |
Rainier Beach Senior Khalil Shabazz
The marquee Metro matchup Saturday night featured the defending champs Rainier Beach visiting the West Seattle Wildcats. Both teams entered the game with a 3-1 league record which meant the victor would take the league in the Sound division.
A defensive battle was the theme of the contest starting under the rim with Yusuf Mohamed patrolling the post for WS and was countered by the physical Nehemie Kabeya for Beach. Meanwhile Tyler Lenzie and Tijohn Rodde found the mark from beyond the arc and at the break, Rainier Beach led by a pair.
When play resumed, West Seattle started to inhibit the Beach attack even more than it was heading into the game with talented guard Kevin Porter Jr. not playing by putting the Viks in foul trouble. This curbed the Beach offense, but West Seattle failed to capitalize. In the closing minutes, West Seattle led by a single point.
As Rainier Beach has done for years, they executed down the stretch by earning trips to the free-throw line and knocking down their shots. Monte Britt and Fred Roberson both buried critical pairs from the charity stripe and a desperation shot by the Wildcats was not enough to extend the ballgame.
Another gutsy win by one of Washington’s premier basketball powerhouses.
The Final Score
Rainier Beach 50, West Seattle 46.
Top Performers:
Rainier Beach
Tijohn Rodde- 11 points
West Seattle
Yusuf Mohamed- 12 points
Roosevelt’s Fourth Quarter Burst Sinks Franklin
By Steve Dion
| Friday- December 16th | 2016 | Boys | 3A | Metro | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roosevelt High School | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final | |
| Franklin | 17 | 18 | 21 | 12 | 68 | |
| Roosevelt | 19 | 22 | 15 | 24 | 80 | |
Roosevelt Rough Riders
In the final Friday night of hoops season before holiday break, a key Metro League matchup featured a Franklin team off to a 5-1 start and Roosevelt looking to keep pace in the standings.
The teams traded buckets in the first half of play with neither team able to gain a significant edge. Correy Garrison Jr. showed some razzle-dazzle ball handling feeding leading scorer Maurice Barnett. The guard/wing combo kept the Quakers within striking distance as Marquan Williams faced early foul trouble. The Rough Riders countered with efficient half court executing including several Clayton Moore buckets and spectacular free throw shooting. The home team led 41-35 at the break.
When play resumed, Franklin increased their defensive pressure and the effort led to another string of Barnett baskets. Heading into the final frame, the score was deadlocked at 56 apiece.
Roosevelt attacked the rim in the final frame and earned numerous trips to the charity stripe where they were an astonishing 29/31 in the ballgame. Franklin ran out of gas and so did the lights in the Roosevelt gym as a blackout took place with under a minute to play. After a 15 minute delay, both teams returned to the floor to finish the ballgame, a solid win for Roosevelt at an opportune time.
The Final Score
Roosevelt 80, Franklin 68.
Top Performers:
Roosevelt
Nick Blume- 17 points
Franklin
Maurice Barnett- 27 points
Varsity Hoops Live Coach Interview
Rainier Beach Vikings – Head Baskeball Coach
Mike Bethea
Dick Fain catches up with 8-time state championship head coach Mike Bethea from Rainier Beach to talk about what is shaping up to be another exciting Metro League season. He talks about this year’s Vikings squad and the tough tests his team will face this year.
To catch the complete interview with Rainier Beach Coach Mike Bethea,
simply click on the PLAY BUTTON below.
Sports Radio 950 KJR On-Air Interview
‘The Barbershop’ Show
Guest: NFLPA- Seattle Chapter President Dana Sanders
On Wednesday’s episode of “The Barbershop” on Sports Radio 950 KJR, Terry Hollimon & Marcus Trufant catch up with NFLPA- Seattle Chapter President Dana Sanders to talk about life after professional sports and the positive impact the Seattle NFLPA chapter achieves for its members and the community. They discuss the scholarship fund created for local high school students which will award $2,500 to a young man and woman to help with college tuition.
To catch the complete on-air interview with NFLPA- Seattle Chapter President Dana Sanders, simply click on the PLAY BUTTON below.
The National Football League’s Player Association has announced the Professional Athletes Foundation Student Scholarship application for current seniors in high school. The President of the Seattle’s Chapter of the NFLPA, Dana Sanders, stated “The Seattle Chapter is excited to offer this scholarship opportunity for girls and boys. One girl and one boy from Washington state will be awarded a $2,500 scholarship to college for the 2017-18 school year. We are proud to help young adults reach their dreams.”
The application deadline is Friday, February 10, 2017. All applications must be postmarked by Friday, February 10th to be considered.
High school students interested in applying for this unique opportunity can download the application here.
Garfield’s Nowell Leads Charge Past Prep
By Steve Dion
| Tuesday- December 13th | 2016 | Boys | 3A | Metro | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garfield High School | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final | |
| Seattle Preparatory | 13 | 13 | 22 | 15 | 60 | |
| Garfield | 19 | 26 | 29 | 16 | 90 | |
Garfield Sophomore Jamon Kemp
In the final week before holiday break, the Garfield Bulldogs and Seattle Prep Panthers squared off for a Capitol Hill showdown. The guard-strong Bulldogs and post-laden Panthers showcased their strengths early as Jaylen Nowell scored 15 of his game-high 25 in the first half while Nic Lynch anchored Prep with 11 in the first two quarters.
The double digit lead accrued in the first half by Garfield continued to grow in the third quarter highighted by a flurry of steals leading to dunks including an alley-oop slam by J’Raan Brooks who scored 19 for the Bulldogs. Kalu Stricklin continued to battle for Seattle Prep even with the game out of hand recording 15 tough points in the second half.
When the clock hit triple zeros, Garfield picked up their fourth win to continue a perfect start to the season handing Seattle Prep their first loss of the season.
The Final Score
Garfield 90, Seattle Prep 63.
Top Performers:
Garfield
Jaylen Nowell- 25 points
Seattle Preparatory
Kalu Stricklin & Nic Lynch-19 points