The Vancouver Heat

I want to thank a reader (a local high school coach) who I'm not sure wanted me to mention his name, so I won't in this case, but thank you for reminding me that there is more than one traveling team in the Southwest Washington area. Although Premier Elite works with mostly current high school students, at least up until this year, and the Columbia Cascades which is also a viable organization, The Vancouver Heat has been working with a younger group, that this year have exploded onto the high school ranks. Heat players contributing to their high school teams are Emily Smith of Woodland HS, who had 12 points and 10 rebounds in her first game, Taylor McCullough of Woodland HS had 6 points, T.T. Martin of Heritage had 12 points in her first game, and Emily Myers of Heritage had 5 points, Nikki Bond of Skyview had 17 points, Delaney Keser had 5, and Katie Swanson toss in 10 points for Skyview also.
Congratulations to The Vancouver Heat and all the girls, good job.
Thanks Coach (I'll mention your name with your OK) and any and all of the readers, please don't hesitate with story ideas.

Wednesday night belong to the GHSL 4A

Three of the Greater St. Helen's 4A teams were in action last night. All three won easily against out of the area competition, two from the Portland area and one from central Washington.

Skyview of the GHSL 4A had their opening night against Portland's Barlow High School from the Gresham area. The Storm debuted there talented freshmen class and they didn't let the fans down. Nikki Bond scored 17 points to get her high school career up & going. She was helped out by Kaliee Oliver with 16, and Katie Swanson's 10 points as Skyview defeated Barlow 65 - 56. Barlow had 4 girls in double figures Gloss, Dierksen, & Strasberg with 11 points and Scafidi had 12.

Heritage of the GHSL 4A took on another Portland school to start their season off, Parkrose High School. This game was settled early as Heritage cruised to a 68 - 51 victory. Heritage exploded out to an early lead and never look back. Lead by sophomores Justine Joudrey with 20 points, and TaShawna Gordon's 14 the Timberwolves simply overwhelmed Parkrose. Senior Chawncy McClenan added 10 points, and freshman sensation T.T. Martin toss in 12. Heritage took their foot off the defensive pedal in the second half late, but the game was never in doubt.

Kelso of the GHSL 4A beat W.F. West from central Washington (a traditional power from their area) 48 - 23. Kelso was lead by 6'0 Carly Perkins with 15 points. It was an aggressive defense by Kelso limiting West to 10 points in the 1st half, that shined in the victory. The new entry into the GHSL 4A, Kelso is the wild card. We can't wait to see what they'll do in their new division.

Washougal of the GSHL 2A played LaCenter of the Trico 1A last night. I'm telling you, teams had better watch out for this LaCenter squad. Taking them lightly because their 1A will be a big mistake. They easily handled Washougal 62 - 39, taking a 30 point lead into half time. LaCenter was lead by Lauren Baker 22 points, Marissa Moore 16, and Hannah Trigg 12. LaCenter has gotten off to a fast start and will be a team to watch. Washougal struggling to find their way was lead by Alicia McElroy with 16 points.

Tonight's contest, just 3 games Hockinson at Hudson's Bay, Woodland travels to Kalama, and the big game of the night is Heritage hosting Union. Enjoy...

Two new segments coming soon

I will be adding to weekly segments to the site next week. One being "Top 5 Power Ratings". I will give you what I believe to be the best 5 girl's teams in the region. It's not very scientific and will probably change a lot, with wins and loses though out the season. But something to have fun with. The other will be "You Pick It" I'll post the most exciting game of the upcoming week and create a poll for you to vote on who'll when. We'll see how good you are at picking winners.

Congratulations KEISHA GORDON
Former Heritage High School standout, '08 Grad, Keisha Gordon was honored selected Northwest Conference D3 "Athlete of the Week" after a 30 point performance against Carlton College. We are all very proud of you. Good things come to good kids. You deserve it.

GHSL 3A poll results, who will follow Prairie?

Over 85% of you believe that Union High School is likely to come in 2nd place in the GSHL 3A division this season. Prairie High is the overwhelming favorite and after seeing what they did at the Jamboree this Monday night, and then the devastating lost for Union to GHSL 2A Hockinson last night, Prairie's league winning streak (now over 100) doesn't appear to be in much danger. Following Union it was a tight race between the rest of the league, as voted by you the readers. Fort Vancouver, Camas, and Columbia River all received 4% of the vote and Hudson's Bay received 3%. It's now time to prove it on the court.

Tuesday's results; GSHL 2A goes {2 & 2}

Last night's results had the Greater St. Helen's 2A division defeating their 3A foes but losing to a 4A team and a team out of Portland. Last year the GHSL 2A was the most competitive division in Southwest Washington, a three way tie for first and one team just a game back.

Hockinson from the GHSL 2A, (and our pre-season selection to win league) look strong (literally) handling GHSL 3A Union 58 - 30. Lead by power forward (literally) Daron Dean with 20 points and Lejla Mlivic with 19, Hockinson grab the lead early and waltz to victory. Michelle Haagen held all league returner Megan Dire to 0 for 2 shooting, and two free throws, "Hawking" her all night with great defense. Dire ended with just 2 points. Janae Davis did what she could for the Titan's putting in 14 points, but this game was never in question.

Ridgefield from the GHSL 2A, jump out strong on GHSL 3a Columbia River and except for a 3rd quarter let up, never look back winning 55 - 38. Lead by 3 players in double figures, Anna Pengra 17, Lauren Landerholm 16, & Shelby Williams 10 Ridgefield eased into a opening night victory. River stumbled out the gate only scoring 11 points in the first half, which makes for a rough start for their new coach.

Woodland GHSL 2A hosted Portland Christian from (obviously) Portland Oregon, and were just a little over matched. The size and debt of the Portland team eventually paid dividends and hurt Woodland losing 62 - 46. The Beavers did show promise with balance scoring Emily Smith 11, McKenzie Heberer & Kaitlyn Moses 10 each and Jessica Hughes 8. But two of the leading scores fouled out Smith & Heberer in the forth quarter and Woodland couldn't with stand losing both of them.

Battle Ground the only GHSL 4A team in action took down GHSL 2A Mark Morris 56 - 30. A balance scoring attack for the Tiger's with two players in double figures, Kiley Thomas with 12 and Gabi Dixson with 10 simply overwhelmed Mark Morris in the second half out scoring them 30 - 10.

LaCenter from the Trico League had two players scratch over 20 points Marissa Moore 23 and Lauren Baker 21 and another Hanna Trigg with 19 points, defeated Rochester 73 - 30

Let the games BEGIN!!!

The girl's basketball season officially began last night with Jamborees at Prairie and Columbia River involving many of Southwest Washington teams.
Only one official pre-season game was played last night, that had White Salmon visiting Washougal. Washougal started slow, both to start the game and to start the second half, only scoring 1 point in the third quarter. Their fourth quarter 'come back' came up short. White Salmon held of Washougal 31 to 24. White Salmon was lead by Lacey Kruse with 23 points. Washougal had a balance scoring attack with 7 girls scoring, lead by Maddie Down with 8.

Lot's of action this week in hoops

It's pre-season time. Lot's of games. The Columbian does a great job of keeping you up on the week's actions. Click on the link and see what's happening this week.