The Vashon Probe
A Bit of April Fool’s Fun
Front Page March 9, 2006
Check the front page of the print version of this issue of the Riptide.
Equal Opportunity
After more than a decade of angst and subpar seasons, the Vashon Pirates proudly send both boys and girls basketball teams to Yakima’s Sun Dome
The Pirate Ladies
by Marya Purrington
Vashon has many things to be proud of, but right now it’s all about the basketball teams. Both of the Pirate basketball teams are in Yakima this weekend to compete in the 2A State Tournament. The boy’s team competed last year and this year the girls join them after both teams finish off an amazing season.
The girls basketball team, coached by Sandy Tillman, finished off their season with a 10-2 record in the league, which sent them into district games to play for their seed for the state tournament.
“A lot of teamwork [contributed to this season],” said freshman guard Zelda Porter. “We worked really hard on and off the court and we also had a really good coach to help us.”
The girls are a close team who work together to build up confidence and teamwork, which is important in high school sports. These girls have spent the last four months playing daily together to combine their skills into one killer team.
The team had a 16-9 record overall and started off their season with a non-league win over Stadium which set the tone for their winning season. Porter said their most challenging game was against Sequim when the game went into double overtime. The Pirates pulled it together and managed to win the game by two points.
“Our easiest games were against Klahowya and Orting,” Porter said. The girls beat Orting 51-24 and beat Klahowya 57-24.
The Pirates continued their winning streak throughout the season, losing only to Chimacum and Eatonville, but going on to winning their next five games.
When the Nisqually League Tournament came around they lost their first game against Foster, but came back to win against Chimacum and Steilacoom sending them off to the district tournament. They won their first two games against Steilacoom and Foster, but lost against Eatonville in their last districts game. The girls won their final district game against Port Townsend, 46-44. This final win qualified them for state.
Porter believes the team will do well at state.
“It feels pretty good to be a freshman going to state,” she said.
The Pirates left on Tuesday for the State tournament, where they played Pullman yesterday. Many students will join the GreenTide tonight and tomorrow to cheer on both of our Pirates Basketball teams.
The Gentlemen, Too
by Micah Sohl
On Thursday, March 2, the boys’ basketball team played the Steilacoom Sentinels for the third time this season for the district championship. With a 61-34 win, the boys captured their first district championship in school history. Now they have the first seed from the West Central District to the state tournament and will play Chelan in the first round. The boys own a great season with a 22-2 record going into state and hope to bring home the hardware.
Hard work seems to have paid off for the Vashon boys this year. Their strong showing through districts placed the Pirates in prime position to do some serious damage at the state tourney.
“This is the reason they put all those hours in through the summer time, and all the hard practices,” said head coach Andy Sears.
Another reason for the Pirates great season is their continued development as a team.
“The season has been successful because we are always finding ways to improve,” said junior Shane Davis.
Their only two losses were to Chimacum and St. Mary’s from California which was decided overtime. The goal as a team is to win a state title, and it is a definite possibility. The mentality of the team is to not let one person take over the court and to keep everyone involved in the game.
“A number of guys can carry the team, and the thing that makes us successful is that everyone has a different strength and we keep everyone playing together,” said Davis.
During practice head coach Andy Sears stressed rebounding, controlling the game, and playing tough, both physically and mentally. Along with this, the game plan for the State tournament is to not get intimidated and think of it as a regular high school game. “Some teams to beat are Lynden Christian and Hoquiam. If we play and move as a whole then we should be able to reach our goal,” said Davis.
The team has been to state only twice and placed sixth in 1999. Winning or even placing would make history for Vashon boys’ basketball.
“We’re as good as anyone, we’re as talented as anyone, and if we play our best basketball we will come out on top for sure,” said coach Sears.