1. Massive win streaks continue: The Prairie Falcons of Vancouver beat Union 52-38 to win their 118th consecutive Greater St. Helen's League game. The win assured the Falcons that their streak would last a decade. They haven't lost to a league opponent since Jan. 31, 2000. An even longer streak lasted another year. The South Kitsap Wolves of Port Orchard won their 170th consecutive Narrows League match by beating Central Kitsap 44-18. It was the regular-season finale for the Wolves (10-0), who have not lost a league match since 1992.
2. Wroten to return soon? Garfield's Tony Wroten, at one time rated as the top point guard in his class in the nation, could return to the court this season. The 6-foot-5 junior has been practicing just five months after tearing his right ACL playing football. Wroten wouldn't confirm that he would play this season, the Seattle Times reported, but he wouldn't shoot down the idea either.
3. Top-ranked Pirates fall: No. 1 Vashon Island, the defending Class 1A state champs, were surprised by No. 5 Cascade Christian, 60-45. Johnny Tveter had 22 points and 10 rebounds for Cascade of Puyallup. Vashon, which was led by the 19 points of 6-foot-9 Stanford signee John Gage, suffered its second loss of the season. The Pirates also lost to defending Class 2A state champ Squalicum of Bellingham.
4. Ingles resigns at Puyallup: Tom Ingles, a member of the state football coaches Hall of Fame, has resigned after six seasons at Puyallup. Ingles told the Seattle Times that he stepped down because the school didn't find him an in-building teaching position. Ingles is 248-103 with three state championships.
5. Bothell plays California power: Bothell, which made the Class 4A state semifinals last year, will play California power Mission Viejo in the Emerald City Kickoff Classic at Qwest Field in early September. Bothell graduated 19 off last year's team. Mission Viejo, in Orange County, went 12-1 and lost in the their section semifinals.
Top performers
Jake Heaps (Skyline football): The top-rated quarterback was the only player from the state to earn a spot on the Parade All-American team. He threw for 3,191 yards, 45 touchdowns and seven interceptions to lead the Spartans to a third straight state title.
Cole Dickerson (Federal Way basketball): The San Francisco signee had 32 points and 10 rebounds as the No. 1 Eagles beat No. 10 Kentridge 95-67.
Joshua Smith, Kentwood
File photo by Dennis Lee
D.J. Fenner (Seattle Prep basketball): The 6-5 freshman scored 15 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter as Seattle Prep beat Blanchet 65-46.
Joshua Smith (Kentwood basketball): The UCLA signee, finally healthy for the first time this season, had 22 points, 17 rebounds, four assists and three blocks as the Conquerors beat No. 10 Kentridge 74-56.
Marcel Pound (Bonney Lake basketball): She nearly had a triple-double with 32 points, 10 rebounds and nine steals as Bonney Lake beat Lakes 80-64.
Aminah Williams (Kennedy basketball): The senior had 31 points and 17 rebounds as the Lancers beat Renton 64-61 despite 36 points from Renton's Kelsey Sparks.
Upcoming events
The winter postseason kicks into high gear this weekend. The state bowling tournament is Friday and Saturday in Tacoma. Also this weekend are the sub-regional tournaments for wrestling, and many leagues are holding gymnastics championships.
Recruiting news
Central Kitsap wide receiver Christian Wesley has committed to Central Washington. Wesley will play receiver in Ellensburg; he was considered a top tight end prospect. From CK's rival school, South Kitsap, Narrows League MVP Leon La Deaux has also committed to Central to play receiver. ... Cody Peterson, Black Hills' career rushing leader, has committed to Navy. ... Central Kitsap's Shannon Moskowitz, one of the state's top female distance runners, committed to Boise State. ... Timberline of Lacey defensive back John Ferreira committed to Davidson College. ... Mitch Saylor of Union of Vancouver committed to Montana. Saylor is a 6-6 receiver/safety. ... Zach Chapman of Mountain View of Vancouver committed to Eastern Washington. Chapman is a 6-4 tight end/defensive end.
Nate's notes
There are rumblings at that Skyline and Bellevue could play a non-league game next year. Skyline has won three straight state titles, the last two at the 4A level. Bellevue has won seven of the last nine 3A titles. This game needs to happen. ... I mentioned before that the wrestling postseason begins this weekend. It's a run-up to the Mat Classic, which is one of the biggest sports spectacles in the state. Twenty-seven mats fill the Tacoma Dome, with an omnipresent voice narrating the action. Even if you're not a wrestling fan, it's something to see at least once.
Nathan Joyce has been a sports writer in Washington for 12 years. He currently works for the Kitsap Sun in Bremerton.
