By Nathan Joyce
MaxPreps.com
The high school football season is kicking off this week.
The first practices for high school teams across the state are Wednesday. Teams will be working on getting their 12 days of practice in before the regular season kicks off on Sept. 2.
The season culminates with the Gridiron Classic Dec. 1-2 at the Tacoma Dome.
All other fall sports start practice on Aug. 21.
This is a season of change for high school sports in Washington. When the season gets underway, many schools will find themselves in new classification and new leagues, thanks to a reclassification effort that was completed last year.
Fans of high school football will have two showcase events to attend.
First is the Emerald City Kickoff Classic Sept. 2, an annual event at Qwest Field in Seattle. On this year's slate: Orting vs. Archbishop Murphy (9:30 a.m.), Curtis vs. Columbia River (noon), Auburn vs. Moses Lake (3 p.m.), Southridge vs. Prosser (5:30 p.m.) and Eastlake vs. Punahou of Honolulu (8 p.m.).
The Tacoma Dome is hosting Touchdown Time III, an annual two-day event on Sept. 8-9. On this year's schedule is: Clover Park vs. Franklin Pierce and South Kitsap vs. Lakes Sept. 8. South Bend vs. Chief Leschi, Stadium vs. Lincoln, and Eatonville vs. Cascade Christian Sept. 9.
Basketball: McMillan Staying at O'Dea
Jamelle McMillan, son of Portland Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan, has said he will stay at O'Dea for his senior season.
There was speculation that he might join his father in Portland. McMillan played and coached for the Seattle SuperSonics until taking the Portland job before the NBA season.
McMillan, a speedy 6-2 guard, has had an impressive run at the Seattle private school. The Fighting Irish have made the state title game the last three years, winning in 2004 and 2005.
"I don't know if we were really close to moving," Jamelle McMillan told the Seattle Times. "But it was definitely tough on my dad without us, because he's ultimately the family man."
McMillan still hasn't committed to a college. He has indicated he will announce where he will play in November, before the high school season starts. He will likely choose from North Carolina State, Arizona State, Clemson, Georgia Tech and Illinois.
Jamelle's sister Brittany will play at Seattle Prep starting this year.
Baseball: Mariners Cup Teams Announced
The Seattle Mariners are hosting a three-game series, dubbed the Mariners Cup, for the first time this year. The games were played at Safeco Field Saturday and Sunday, pitting a team of Northwest all-stars against a team from Southern California. The Northwest won two of the three games.
Both teams will wear Mariners' uniforms and be coached by members of the Mariners' scouting staff.
The Northwest roster features some major league offspring. Bobby Buckner, a shortstop from Boise High School, is the son of Bill Buckner. Joey Paciorek, a shortstop from Blaine, is the son of Jim Paciorek and the nephew of Tom Paciorek. Jim Paciorek played one year with the Brewers, and Tom played four seasons with the Mariners.
The Mariners have sponsored a Northwest select team since 2000, and 74 players who have played on it have been drafted, including 10 in 2006 and 14 in 2005.
Full rosters are available at www.seattlemariners.com.