SENDING OUR PRAYERS AND WELL WISHES

Marykate Hughes sophomore basketball player at Woodland High School, had surgery Wednesday in Houston Texas at the N.D. Anderson Medical Center. Cancer in her right arm along with other complications required amputation of her right arm, her shoulder, and some of her chest wall. I spoke with her mother Julie Thursday, and she express that the surgery was successful in getting the cancer. Marykate will be in the Ronald McDonald house in Houston, Texas for the next month or so. I ask you please, send a card and or make a donation to this family. There are a lot of expenses. Contact Woodland High School via email or a phone call. A foundation has been set up. Send to Woodland High School c/o Cindy Thoeny at 757 Park St Woodland WA. 98674. Make checks to Woodland High School c/o MK Hughes Donations

Impact Player of the week #11

This week's Southwest Washington NW Girl's B-ball Impact player profile;

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CHAWNCY R. R. McCLENAN

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Heritage High School

Senior class of 2009 #32

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Kids play team sports for a variety of different reasons. Some like the thrill of competition between two sides, and seeing who wins. Some enjoy the relationships you gain by being a part of a team. And yet other's use it as an escape from the reality of their day to day lives. What ever the reason each individual may have, striving to do thier best is the key. Doing her best is what you get from Chawncy. No matter what, every time she steps between the lines you know she's going to give you all she has. I'd love to write you a story of the perfect household, mom, dad, dog ect. That's not the case here. Chawncy's had some challenges, but when you see her she's wearing that wonderful smile, she works hard at her sport, (a multi sport athlete) and she keeps plugging along. Sometimes I wish life was a game, so when the horn blows it was over and the fun could start. But o'well that's me wishing. I do know this, we shouldn't judge others until we walk a mile in their shoes. Chawncy's a joy to be around and to coach. Next time you see her, smile back, say hello and cheer her on. She's doing great. She was All League 1st team 4A this season, and will have a tremedous track season also. You go girl...

things to know about Chawncy; favorite song; Out here Grinding - DJ Kahowie, favorite movie; Love & Basketball, favorite class - P.E. teachers assistant, hobbies include hanging with friends, talking on the phone, playing sports, watching T.V., She has varsity letters in soccer, basketball, and track and field. She wants to go to college and play sports. Good luck, we are all behind you.

Post season review Impact Player of the week #4

Another Southwest Washington NW Girl's B-ball Impact player profile;

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CAITLYNN REBECCA PATTERSON

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Mountain View High School

Senior 2009/ post #5

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Caitlynn was raised by her 'mostly single mom', Shari, (recently married to Jim Wilmoth) and grew up in Portland, until the 7th grade when she moved to Vancouver. Mama Shari, a high school athlete herself, wanted her daughter to play sports, Caitlynn gravitated toward basketball around the 5th grade. But it wasn't until high school, before Caitlynn believed she could make anything of her life through basketball.

After spending her first two years at Mountain View on the JV team, in '07-'08 Caitlynn made the big leap to Varsity team and crack the starting line-up. This year Caitlynn was the team's leading scorer and rebounder. She made the most impact consistently for the Thunder team, yet some how Caitlynn was left off the all-league selections. Not a mention... ???

The WNBA will probably not be knocking at her door, she wasn't bless with great height or a ton of athletic talent, but through hard work, determination, and drive, along with playing spring and summer ball with Premier Elite, Caitlynn has earned college basketball scholarship offers and has become an impact player here in Southwest Washington.

There's an old coaches saying "Give me an average player that works hard, and I'll beat your talented player that works average" It perfectly fit's Caitlynn. I would say congratulations Caitlynn, but you've earned everything you've gotten, just keep doing what you're doing.

things to know about Caitlynn; favorite movie - Love & Basketball, favorite song - Buck in here, by Felli Fel (???) {smile}, favorite team - Detroit Pistons, favorite class - Teachers Academy, Hobbies - working out & hanging out with family and friends, Her mom is her biggest inspiration. Caitlynn verbally committed to Gray's Harbor College to play basketball next year, and wants to be a school counselor and or a coach someday.

Post season review Impact Player of the week #2

The 2nd NW girl's b-babll, Southwest Washington impact player profile is;

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MEGAN DIRE

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Union High School,

senior 2009, Wing #23

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Megan is the youngest of two daughters to Don & Gretchen. Showing athletic promise early on in life, Megan started playing soccer at 8 years old. She started picking up the round ball with her hands and putting it in the hoop as a fifth grader and has been in love with it every since. Being a dual sport athlete is tough in today's specialize world, but Megan is pulling it off at Union, being an important clog on the soccer team, playing forward for the first place team, and becoming an All Region Player and Player of the Year in soccer, then going on to play on the basketball team.

Megan transferred to Union after spending her first two years at Mountain View High School. Megan talks about the transfer as being a very difficult decision for her. She says she loved her friends, teachers and and all the relationships she had created at Mt. View, but she lived in the new school district of Union and she'd have to move to stay at Mt. View. I'm sure Union's head coach Dole was very happy with her decision to transfer to Union. Megan lead Union in it's first year of existence to third place in league, and to the brink of making it to the district championship game. This year Union placed 4th in league and was knocked out of the playoffs early with injuries to key players. Megan was selected 2nd team all league.

things to know about Megan; favorite movie - Hercules; favorite song - Love Story by Taylor Swift; favorite class - AP Psychology and Spanish; Hobbies - spending time with friends and family (two new nieces), going to the movies and listening to music; Her inspiration is her older sister, who Megan says has been through a lot and keeps on going. Megan says she'd love to continue her basketball career in college and would like to study psychology and marine biology and someday would like to work at Sea World.

Post season review Impact Player of the week #8

This week's Southwest Washington, NW Girl's B-ball Impact player profile;

Daron Alanna Dean

Hockinson High School

Senior 2009 #25

Daron, (Dare Bare) as she is called by her Premier Elite friends, probably for her ferocious basketball mentality, is the power forward prototype in Southwest Washington. Strong, agile, a good leaper, and a nice soft touch from outside. One of 4 daughters of Garry & Lisa, Daron has been playing sports as long as she can remember. Her father Garry coached her in hoops most of her young life but it was playing in middle school and being coached by an ex-Prairie and Santa Clara player, Courtney Cushing (Daron calls her, her role model) that spark Daron into focusing on someday being a college basketball player. Daron has high school letters in softball, track, basketball & soccer at Hockinson but has dedicated this season to playing basketball, and focusing on her dream. Last season Daron was 2nd team all league 2A, this year her determination brought her to be the MVP of the 2A, and along with a 3.9 GPA on top of it, college basketball is bright in her future. For those that think she's too short. You're going to regret that.

getting to know a little about Daron; favorite movie - Man of Fire, favorite song - Robocop by Kanye West, favorite class - (get this) Statistics (wow) and Spanish, Hobbies include playing video games, reading, photography, and hanging with her sisters, along with of course playing basketball. Daron has 2 dogs, 4 cats and has owned in the past, horses and chickens, that why someday she'd like to become a Veterinarian. Looking forward to this year's recruiting process she's received letters from Bakersfield, St Mary's and Linnfield to name a few, hoping to major in Chemistry and Biology.

NW Girls b-ball Player Profile of the Week #16

Southwest Washington NW Girl's B-ball Impact player profile;

Kailee Ann Oliver

Skyview High School

Class of 2009 #32

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Kailee is the eldest of two girls of Rich & Karen Oliver. She has been a part of the Storm Select basketball program since she was in the 5th grade. Judging by how she fits right into what coach Hook is achieving there at Skyview, it is no surprise of their collective success. Kailee was a role player in previous seasons, going to the state playoffs with last years team and doing what ever the program needed. Now as a senior, she is more of the leader, and the expectations of her are a lot greater, and thus far she has delivered. She is a true team player. And moving from support role to now the mentor role of this current young Skyview team, has been an easy transition for her. This young Skyview team is jelling just at the right time, playoff time. And most of that jelling is due to Kailee's leadership. Kailee was named Greater St. Helen's League 4A Player of the Year 2009.

Kailee is also a jewel off the gym floor. In the classroom she is carrying a 3.83 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society and in the community, as a girl scout leader, and doing numerous volunteer works.

things to know about Kailee; favorite class - Peer Mentoring / Leadership, favorite song; Our Song by Taylor Swift, favorite movie - The Note Book, favorite color - light green, hobbies include Scrap booking, photography, hanging with friends and of course playing basketball. Kailee hopes to be a teacher some day, and looks forward to playing ball at the next level.

NW Girls b-ball Player Profile of the Week #14

Southwest Washington NW Girl's B-ball Impact player profile;

LEJLA MLIVIC

Hockinson High School
Class of 2009 #11

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Born in Sarajebo, Bosnia and coming to the US at age 3, Lejla is the only child of Amela & Nehru. The family came here, to the Vancouver area, fleeing war torn Bosnia with a group of family members and friends. They had other family members already here in the Vancouver area, and decided that the Great Northwest would be the place for them. Relocating is hard enough, language barriers and cultural difference must have made it feel impossible at times. But the Mlivic family hung in there and have to some extent flourished.

Plugging their daughter into every possible social activity, to help her adjust, Lejla gravitated to basketball, playing at the YMCA and The Hoop as a youngster. Coach Kenny Kirkland took particular interest in Lejla and inspired her to work hard and develop her skills, telling her she could reach great heights in the sport.

Reaching great heights, she has done that, and continues too. Now a second year varsity player, and one of the leaders of the Hawk's, Lejla's set her sites on the state tournament, and possibly playing at the 'next level'. Hockinson reached the State Tournament this year for the first time in school history. And Lejla was honored with 1st Team All League 2A honors. A National Honor Society student, with a 4.0 GPA, and o'yeah she volunteers at Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital, 4 hours every Saturday, in the 'Family Birthing Unit, you can't help but root for her success.

getting to know a little about Lejla; favorite movie - Coach Carter, favorite song - Amazed by You, by Lonestar; favorite class - A.P. Biology; hobbies include scrap booking, watching basketball and hanging with teammates and friends. The support she gets from her parents, she says pushes her along. She's already received a number of Academic Scholarships and hopes that a college will take some interest in her game and let her play for them. I think it would be a mistake for a college not to give her a chance. Good luck.

NW Girls b-ball Player Profile of the Week #13

Southwest Washington NW Girl's B-ball Impact player profile;

JANAE BRIA DAVIS

Union High School

Junior class of 2010 #22

Paving your own trail at a new high school. This had to cross Janae's mind, if you transfer away from a school that you grew up thinking you'd attend and play ball for, and then go to a brand spanking new school. I can Imagine all kinds of thoughts in a young teenager's mind. After attending Mt. View HS her freshman year, then transferring to Union for her sophomore and now junior year. Janae has been "big girl on campus" since arriving. Being the starting power forward on a team and school with high expectations, Janae is the consistent, steady force for the Titan's this year. She carried the team nightly this year, after the Titan's got off to a bad start, She help the team earn a tie for 2nd Place in League, and earned All League 1st Team 3A. Congratulations.

Janae is the only child of Michelle Davis an ex-HS softball player and her father Danianke Smith, an ex-UW football player now coaching HS football in California. Athleticism is in the genes. Janae has been playing organize sports since the 4th grade, and started focusing on basketball in the 6th grade when she started working out with her grandfather and joined the Nuthin But Net organization. Her grandparents and mom make it to every game she plays, and she finds inspiration and strength in their presences.

things to know about Janae; favorite movie - Love & Basketball; favorite song - Dear Mama - Tupac; favorite color - Lime green; favorite class - marketing; hobbies include shopping, going to the movies and the spa, hanging with friends and dancing. Janae would like to become a registered nurse or go into psychology when she goes to college, hopefully playing basketball also. Good luck.

NW Girls b-ball Player Profile of the Week #12

This week's Southwest Washington NW Girl's B-ball Impact player profile;
Melissa C. Williams
Camas High School
Sophomore class of 2011 #12

"Peeps" as her family and friends call her, (because when she was born she had such big eyes, popping out they say) is the youngest of two daughters from Joe and Karen Williams, she was born in Austin Texas, moved to the Great Northwest when she was 3 years old. Picked up a basketball and knew it was for her. Melissa know stands 6 feet tall, long and lanky. Runs and jumps like a gazelle, and is honing her basketball skills to where she will be a force to recon with, as a part of the terrific underclass up and coming here in Southwest Washington. Peeps credits her father as her long time coach and mentor. She remembers in middle school when she started growing and stretching out past her class mates, saying basketball is my sport. Watching her sister Kelsey play at Camas High School along with her dad, and dreaming of one day playing there with her sister. That dream came true last year, Kelsey's senior year, Melissa's freshmen year, both on the varsity. Older sister pushing younger sister, through the drills and motivating her, seeing something in her that she Kelsey, didn't have but wanting the best for her younger sister. Kelsey was right, Melissa does have a gift for hoops, making All League 3A her freshman season, and All League 1st Team this season.
things to know about Melissa; favorite song; New Shoes - Paolo Nutini, favorite movie - Just Friends, favorite class - English and World History, Melissa is a honor student, carries a 4.0 GPA in the magnet program at Camas; her hobbies include reading, hanging with friends, soccer and working out; She says she'd like to be a Pediatricians one day. I'm sure college basketball is in her immediate future also.

NW Girls b-ball Player Profile of the Week #15

Southwest Washington NW Girl's B-ball Impact player profile;
GABI P. DIXSON
Battle Ground High School
Class of 2009 #25

Gabi is the oldest of 5 brothers and sisters born to Patrick & Beth Dixson. Patrick an ex-football player out of Los Angeles, and Beth is an ex-college volleyball player. So as you can well imagine athletics have played a major role in Gabi's life. If there was a competition of any sort, going on while she was growing up, she was involved. She's earned varsity letters at Battle Ground in soccer, volleyball, and basketball (2009 earning All League honors and playing in the Les Schwab all star game was the game MVP) but her specialty which will surely land her an athletic scholarship, track & field of which she's the 2008 state champ in throwing the discus and runner up at state in throwing shot. This year she of course is favorite to win state at both.
Athletics is not Gabi's only love. She's an accomplished jazz singer, in fact Gabi has miss basketball games this season because of a school jazz concert scheduled the same night. She's also a gem in academics carrying a 4.0 GPA. She plays basketball to keep her in shape for track, but she excels for the girls varsity team at Battle Ground, many nights leading them in scoring and almost always leading in rebounds and providing a strong inside presences.
getting to know a little about Gabi; favorite song - Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody, favorite movie - Bringing down the House & White Chicks, favorite class - Jazz Choir, favorite color - purple, hobbies include Art, Music, sign language, going to church, & hanging with friends & family. She's getting major D1 schools recruiting her for track & field and will easily earn a scholarship soon.
This young lady has given herself a great start on life and we will be watching the great things that come her way. Good luck Gabi, although you've paved your own path.