Sunday, March 29, 2009
Post season review Impact Player of the week #6
Southwest Washington NW Girl's B-ball Impact player profile;
JUSTINE JOUDREY
Heritage High School
Sophomore 2011 #21
Unlimited POTENTIAL, Justine is the youngest of 3 kids of Denise and step father Randy Neaphen. Standing 5'10 and 150lbs, Justine,("The Truth" as I call her) {get it Truth & Justice - Justine - Truth} (anyway, maybe it will catch on, lol...) she has uncanny ball handling skills for a girl her size, can drive to the hoop with the best, and has good range from 15 foot in. (Don't be mistaken she will hit the 3 pointer also).
As a freshmen at Heritage, she started on the varsity and was selected 4A all league 2nd team. This year she lead Heritage to 2nd place in the Greater St. Helen's 4A League and was selected All League 1st Team. This is a young lady that we will have the pleasure of watching play for the next 2 years in high school. If she reaches her potential we will be watching greatness grow up. Her potential is limitless. She works hard, and coach Rogers who lost the best player ever for Heritage, Kiesha Gordon '08, is very excited about seeing what Justine will be able to do.
Justine started playing ball, she says "since I could think for myself". Having an older athletic sister, that she looks up to, and an older brother that help her get tough, she picked up a basketball at 5 years old and has not put it down yet. She said she enjoys the rush, and the feeling you get when you make that 'sweet pass' or drive to the hoop for 'the foul & one'. Justine already understands the benefits of working hard, and she will keep working until she reaches her goal. College ball and more.
getting to know a little about Justine; favorite song - Crawling by Linkin Park; favorite movie - Billy Elliot and Love & Basketball; favorite class - Sports Development; her hobbies include playing videos, hanging with friends, and of course basketball. I have been working with Justine since the 7th grade, and she became attached to my daughter Jazmine whom she says is her inspiration for playing. (Thank you). Justine feels as if this year's team at Heritage should win the league title and place in the state tournament. Good luck.
She's receiving college looks from D1 schools and letters of interest all ready. It's still early in the process, she's only a sophomore, but it looks like her path has been laid out already.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Impact Player of the week #10
Southwest Washington, NW Girl's B-ball Impact player profile;
HEATHER ANN CORRAL
Prairie High School
Freshman class of 2012 #14
Yeap it's Corral, at Prairie, four more years. And judging from first impressions, Prairie may regine supreme for those four years also. Heather is the second of three daughters of Art and Hala, (they must be doing something right, let's check their menu {smile} what are you guys eating). Heather stands 6'0 feet tall, already, as a freshman. She's agile, quick, a good ball handler with a nice shot, what else can you ask for, o'yeah a great role model in sister Ashley. Heather says it help to have watch her sister growing up. She sees Ashley as a great player, with lots of passion and drive and she trys to bring that to her own game. Heather says that although their games are somewhat similar she feels she's a better defender and likes to drive to the basket more. Coach Aldridge calls her "Rookie", her friends call her "Slick", Either way this slick rookie in high school ball has made a huge impact, now and years to come her in Southwest Washington. This year she help lead Prairie to an undefeated season, and made All League 1st team.
When I ask her about following in her sisters foot prints, she seemed more the prepared for the challenge. And when ask about the pressures of going to a established basketball institution like Prairie, she express honor in going there, and looking forward to continuing the tradition. That's why they say Prairie doesn't rebuild, they just reload. Heather is a great young lady, and on her way to building her own legacy. Good luck.
things to know about Heather; favorite song - If I were a boy - Beyonce; favorite movie - Love & Basketball and Zoolander; favorite class - Math; Hobbies include soccer, listening to music, hang with friends and family, and reading; Inspiration - of course older sister Ashley; she contributes her basketball training to her mom & dad.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Post season review Impact Player of the week #9
Nicholette (Nikki) Bond
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Top Player of the Area "Poll"
Thanks to everyone who participated.
Post season review Impact Player of the week #7
NW Girl's B-ball Impact player profile;
Shamerica Scott
Fort Vancouver High School
Sophomore 2011 #40
Exploding on the scene. Watch out basketball community, here she comes. Shamerica Scott is a virtual unknown to the high school varsity basketball community. After playing JV for Fort Vancouver, and playing over the summer in the traveling team circuit with Premier Elite, she has raised eyebrows and made waves with the basketball crowd. So much so, that without a minute of "high school varsity experience" she has received over a dozen 'letters of interest' from college coaches around the country.
Shamerica raised by her mom Holly, along with two brothers and a sister is from Tulsa Oklahoma. She started playing ball early in life, but didn't play organize ball until the 8th grade. She's such a natural athlete. Aggressive, strong, tough, quick, did I say aggressive, o'yeah aggressive. She's unpolished with her basketball skills for now, but she loves to learn and works very hard. She's all out, all the time. It will not be long before she sharpens those basketball skills and becomes even a more dominate basketball player in SW Washington... Scary.
Fort Vancouver won the 3A league title last season, and made it to state tournament in Tacoma. Losing a stellar senior class, this season was suppose to be a rebuilding year, but with the likes of Shamerica many schools in the area new they were in for a fight when facing Fort. I guarantee you this, she'll bring her lunch bucket every game, her opponents better bring theirs. Shamerica injured her knee mid way through the season and was force to the side line. She is rehabbing and looking forward to returning her junior season.
get to know a little about Shamerica; favorite song - I want to be close, Avant; favorite movie - Color Purple; favorite class - Math; hobbies include, playing basketball, drawing, writing, rappin' and dancing. She says her inspiration is Jesus and her mother. She hopes to lead Fort to the district playoffs this year, and would one day like to become a doctor or a lawyer.
Monday, March 23, 2009
The Les Schwab Roundball Shootout
Spring Club ball action is cranking up
On the injury front, Justine Joudrey the superb guard from Heritage, broke hear hand in the first 30 seconds of the game between the Heat and Premier Elite. The Heat prevailed in that game with a last second 3 pointer made by Skyview's young talented guard Nikki Bond. Shamarica Scott a wing from Fort Vancouver didn't play for Premier Elite, still recovering from knee surgery. Maddie Van Liew another fine young guard from Skyview help lead the Heat to that victory and played well all tournament for the Heat.
Post season review Impact Player of the week #5
McKENZIE LYNN HEBERER
Woodland High School
Junior 2010 #22
McKenzie is the only child of Maury & Mona Herberer. Growing up in Southwest Washington, the family move to Alaska for a few years, then back to the main land to Kelso WA., and now living in Woodland, McKenzie (Ken'z) didn't start playing basketball until later in life. After moving back to the state of Washington, she started playing organize ball with "Nuthin but Net" in the 7th grade. Most recently after two uneventful years at Kelso High School, learning the game and growing up, Ken'z play for Woodland High School this year, earning All League honors. Over the few years Ken'z has filled out her 5'11 frame and should is now a force inside. She has a feathery touch from 15 feet in, and will shock her opponents with her length and strength. She sort of reminds me of 'Bill Lambeer' from the Detroit Pistons back in the day.
Ken'z exploded on the Greater St. Helen's 2A league, as a basic unknown. If she works hard and stays focus she can help Woodland reach the top of the 2A again. Coach Flannagan is delighted to have Ken'z around and hopes she'll help lead his team to yet another league championship. No doubt if they get there, she'll play an important role in making it happen.
things to know about Kenz; favorite movie - The Notebook; favorite song - The Good Stuff by Kenny Chesney; favorite class - Mechanics; hobbies include hunting, fishing, four wheeling, and having fun with her friends. She's very close to her mom and dad and feels they are her inspiration. Kenzie has college admiration's and with her size and hard work she can get there playing ball. She hopes to get into forestry or fish biology one day, becoming a gaming warden.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Post season review Impact Player of the week #3
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Why do we shake hands after the game?
If you have looked at today's Columbian newspaper, at the announcements of the Greater St. Helen's Girl's All League Teams in 3A and 4A, you'll notice some of the glaring omissions and placements and you may understand why I wrote this. I was angry, hurt and disturbed and I remain that way. Read between the lines.
We shake hands as a reminder that it's only a game. No matter how intense, how controversial, how angry we get, how emotional we get, and sometimes even how physical we get, it's only a game and after it's over, it's over, we go back to life. After you walk off the floor of competition we should all be friends, and show respect for one another.
Common courtesy, respect, be nice and friendly to everyone, basic life philosophy.
Coaches, especially need to be held to a higher standard in this area. We are teaching young adults. High school coaches with personal agenda's needs to stop. It's ugly and hurts the valuable lessons I would think we are trying to teach the girls playing our sport. Holding grudges, not giving recognition, playing time, or their "just do them", because of ill feelings you may have about overzealous parents and/or the players outside associations, is childish and it needs to stop.
This is not what I want from the sport I love, and deep down inside, you don't either. Let's shake hands, and be courteous.
A very good friend told me that I shouldn't say anything, I'd be banging my head against the wall because many of the high school coaches feel I'm the problem or people like me, "Club team coaches, and personal trainers". I don't mean to anger or intimidate anyone. I'm in it for the kids. Yes, I'm a big guy, I have a big loud voice, I'm opinionated... so what. I'm extending the olive branch. Let's Shake...
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Post season review of Player of the week #1
Every week, we will profiled an impact player in Southwest Washington. The First Week;
CAITLYNN LEANNE JACKSON
Kelso High, junior 2010, point guard #4
Caitlynn is the youngest of "3" of Noelle & Jon Jackson. Fighting with her two older brothers is probably what gives her that toughness she exhibits on the court. It's was that toughness that work against her in the '07 - '08 season and in summer play. Unaware to Caitlynn, her parents, or her coaches, Caitlynn's knee cartilage was deteriorating. Playing through the pain last season and over the summer became old hat for her. Simply icing up and back for the next game. But looking back on it, she should have gone to see what was wrong. It wasn't just typical aches and pains, but something really serious. Finally when the pain became to much to bare, she went to the doctor. They found a complete absences of cartilage in the knee. Basically her knee was rubbing bone to bone. An operation was necessary in an attempt to rebuild cartilage and adjust the knee cap.
Caitylyn came back on the court late November early December. Obviously not 100%. And with her coach not wanting to take chances with her health, limited her playing time. But by the end of the league season, Caitlynn showed what she can do. Averaging over 13 points a game in the last 7 games, and being a game changer in many big games for Kelso down the stretch. Any observer could clearly see that the reason for Kelso's late season success, rest on the shoulders of this 5'5 guard, along with Carly Perkins her teammate. Kelso finished 3rd in league and 2nd in the district tourney. How or why she didn't make the all league at least honorable mention team is a tradgedy.
Things to know about Caitlynn; favorite movie - Eagle Eye; favorite song - Let it Rock, by Kevin Rudolf; favorite players - Candace Parker & Jason Kidd; favorite team - Seattle Storm; favorite class - Language Arts; Hobbies include, hanging out, listening to music, and dancing. Caitlynn says her father is her biggest inspiration. She has been contacted by University of Portland, South Carolina State, Northwest Nazarene, Montana Tech and others, and she wants to continue her basketball career in college and study nursing.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Washington State High School Results
In the 2A, Hockinson High School was the representative from Southwest Washington. They also were able to compete in 3 games but not making it to the trophy round. Congratulations on fantastic season and the first ever trip to state for the Hawk's, GSHL 2A Champions. (A link to the state brackets is available just click)
In the 3A, Prairie High School represented Southwest Washington at the state tournament for the 12 year straight. The Falcon's did make it to the 4th place game before losing, yet still capturing the 7th place trophy. Another great season for the Falcon's, GSHL 3A Champions. (A link to the state brackets is available just click)
The 4A didn't have a representative to state. Although it was as competitive a 4A league race as we've seen around here with 3 teams coming down to the last week with a chance to win. Skyview HS won both the League and Tournament championship with Heritage HS and Kelso HS as runner's up in each respectively. 4A state bracket.
Southwest Washingtons Impact Players
Here's the results. Nikki Bond of Skyview and Shelby Williams of Ridgefield both recieved 27% of the votes, Lejla Mlivic took in 19% and Daron Dean 16% both from Hockinson and Carly Perkins from Kelso got 15% of the voting. All are very deserving, and it was fun to see how the votes would swing daily. Everyone of the girls in the area all deserve recognition and hopefully learned and grew as a result of their participation in high school athletics.
Now let's move on to spring and summer hoops. Yeah!!!
Monday, March 9, 2009
Summer Team Organizational Meeting
Now the first priority for the Elite Team will be players that played on this Spring's team, but I realize that a few of the Spring players will not be able to participate in the summer. So a few positions will possibly be available for the 11 man Elite Team.
If you are a player, have a daughter that's a player, or know a player that might want to play, you need to come or have them come to this meeting. We will be discussing logistics, finances, and setting plans.
Saturday April 11th at 1:30 pm, at Green Meadows Athletic Club.
Call me for information 360-991-2566
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Premier Elite Teams
Black
Shamerica Scott - Fort Vancouver High School - sophomore - 5'9
Justine Joudrey - Heritage High School - sophomore - 5'10
Caitlynn Jackson - Kelso High School - junior - 5'6
Melissa Williams - Camas High School - sophomore - 6'0
McKenzie Heberer - Woodland High School - junior - 5'11
Tori Conley - Skyview High School - sophomore - 6'0
Haley Smith - Camas High School - junior 6'0
Nettie Gould - Heritage High School - junior 5'4
Sarah Mason - Skyview High School - sophomore 5'9
Carissa Collins - Heritage High School - junior - 5'6
Gold
Katelyn Henson - Camas High School - sophomore
Makenzie Helem - Kelso High School - freshman
Audrey Frazier - Evergreen High School - junior
Charlene Hillman - Evergreen High School - sophomore
Jennifer Patterson - Mountain View High School - freshman
Shalimar Allen - Heritage High School - sophomore
McKayla Bradshaw - R.A. Long - freshman
Demia Browning - Jason Lee MS - 8th grade
Shanna Romig - Covington MS - 8th grade
Chaysee Telles - Pacific MS - 8th grade
Bree Cunningham - Covington MS - 8th grade
Emily Ponce - Skyridge MS - 8th grade
Sydney Vaughn - Jefferson MS - 8th grade
Jatay Sewell - Alki MS - 7th grade
I am very happy to introduce these young ladies. They are working hard, learning and developing. Getting better everyday, and after all that's what it's all about. We have a very young team this year, but very competitive. We look forward to representing Southwest Washington in many tournaments and I rest assure they'll do you proud. Every year there are always injuries, and illness, plus vacations, but we will make the best of what we have.
Y.E.A. Tournament in Tacoma
Next up Mid Summer Nights Madness tournament April 17 - 19 in Seattle. We'll give you complete updates.
Again I request any and all local teams please keep me informed with tournament action, I'll be happy to post your information.