Tourneytown notebook — Acorns may be tough nut to crack at state tournament this year

YAKIMA, Wash. — The Oakville Acorns arrived for the inaugural Class 1B state tournament in 2007 with a 12-10 record, then came in the next year with an even more pedestrian 10-10 mark.

Each time, they were summarily ousted in two games. For the teams drawing them in the bracket, the Acorns were a mere speed bump.

This year, they might just be a road block.

Despite starting only one senior, the Acorns have won all 17 of their games and were ranked fourth in last week’s Associated Press state poll. What a difference a year can make — with the right transfer.

“We added a player who was just the perfect player we needed,” says coach Jamie Berg. The move-in was a slender 6-1 junior named Berry Peterson, who instantly became part of a 1-2 punch with stellar senior point guard Izaha Powell, each averaging about 22 points a game.

“I think a lot of people are saying maybe we play in a weak league or whatever, but I really don’t see it that way,” Berg says. “Any time we play anyone, they try to beat us. It’s not like we just show up and they roll over.”
FAMILY AFFAIR: Anybody who has followed the Class 1A basketball tournament knows the Collier name at Seattle Christian. The Warriors reached four straight state title games in the SunDome, from 2000 to 2003, and two brothers — Adam and Jordan Collier — had a lot to do with that. Adam, in fact, was the state coaches’ association’s choice as Class 1A player of the year in 2002.

Well, the Collier clan is back en masse, this time on the girls side. The No. 1-ranked Warrior girls, 16-0 going into a Tuesday night game against Vashon, feature three Collier sisters — senior twins Melissa and Megan, and 6-foot-2 freshman prodigy Katie Collier. The three average a combined 29 points per game, providing plenty of support for speedy sophomore Lexi Peterson (14.8).

SHORT JUMPERS: The score wasn’t in as of press time from Tuesday night’s intriguing matchup of the two Southwest 1A boys powers — No. 8-ranked Onalaska (14-0 coming in) against towering No. 3 Winlock (14-1, the only defeat a one-pointer in a California tournament). Onalaska coach Dennis Bower is an outstanding X’s and O’s guy. … Two boys teams most observers figure are a lock to come to the SunDome as favorites, Squalicum in 2A and Vashon in 1A, are living up to expectations. They’re a combined 29-2, with both losses against much-larger out-of-state schools. … This year’s 2A tourney in the SunDome could have a first-time state-tripper on the girls’ side — Hockinson, which is 13-1 and ranked seventh.