First things first for CWU

Wildcats’ battle with No. 2 Bearcats isn’t final hurdle ||

YAKIMA, Wash. — Mel Tjeerdsma’s arrival at Northwest Missouri was neither a smashing success nor a sign of the future.

His first Bearcats team, in 1994, came up empty. Went 0-11.

In the 15 seasons since, however, NWMS has gone 168-30 (.848), has won two Division II national championships and has reached the title game in each of the past four years.

No D-II coach has more than Tjeerdsma’s 26 playoff wins.

Little wonder, then, that Central Washington’s Blaine Bennett, minutes after last week’s playoff win over Tarleton State, said, “They’re going to be the best football team we’ve ever faced, and certainly the very best football team that has come here into Tomlinson Stadium. Other than that, that’s all I know.”

Or needed to, really.

In the grand scheme of today’s D-II quarterfinal matchup of the top-ranked Wildcats (12-0) and second-ranked Bearcats (11-1), the collective quality of Northwest Missouri trumps all other Central concerns.

And rankings aside, today’s noon contest in Tomlinson Stadium should not necessarily be a presumed national championship game.

Another quarterfinal features Grand Valley, in the playoffs for the ninth straight year and ranked No. 1 for much of the year by D2football.com, against defending champ Minnesota-Duluth. M-D hasn’t lost since its Sept. 3 defeat to Central.

Still another includes Terry Bowden’s North Alabama team, which spent most of the season atop the coaches poll until falling in its regular-season finale.

But from Central’s perspective, the only team that matters is Northwest Missouri, because it’s who the Wildcats must beat to extend their season into December.

A win will mean a semifinal game — CWU’s first in DII — against  the survivor of West Liberty (Pa.)-California (Pa.), on Dec. 4 and possibly in Ellensburg.

Central athletic director Jack Bishop said regional seeding (Central and West Liberty are both No. 1s while Cal is a No. 3) often determines the host, although other criteria are involved.

But first things first.

“Central Washington,” the personable Tjeerdsma said in a telephone interview from Maryville, Mo., “is a really good football team. It’s obvious to me why they’re ranked No. 1 and are undefeated.

“They’re solid in every aspect. The defense gets a great deal of credit, which it should because it’s a great defense. But the offense is very sound, and their special teams are exceptional. They are very sound in all three phases, and they do not make mistakes.”

Nor do the Bearcats, usually. Last week was an aberration, with NWMS committing four turnovers but still winning, 35-10 over Abilene Christian,  thanks to its own dominant defense.

Northwest Missouri also trailed Washburn much of the way in a crucial Oct. 24 game, before winning 22-19 in overtime.

“That game had tremendous implications,” Tjeerdsma said. “Had we not won, we would not be a No. 2 seed and obviously wouldn’t have gotten a first-round bye. And Washburn would have made the playoffs and someone else wouldn’t have.”

The game also extended the Bearcats home winning streak to 12, and they’re 29-1 in Maryville since 2005. But Central, too, has a history of success at home, having won its last 11 in Tomlinson.

And if Bennett cannot match Tjeerdsma in tenure or titles, he at least is off to an imposing start. At 22-2 his CWU winning percentage is .916 — the best two-year start in school history — plus he’s 10-0 at home.

“We had a good day yesterday and another good day today,” Bennett said Friday. “some of the guys went home yesterday and there were some other people around town who were gracious enough to have some of our players enjoy the holiday with them.

“We’re very excited about this game. This is a great opportunity for our kids and our program.”

Kidd scores 23 to lead Yaks

LONGVIEW, Wash. — Jordan Kidd scored 23 points and added six steals as Yakima Valley’s men opened their season with a 76-60 victory over Peninsula on Friday in the Lower Columbia Thanksgiving Tournament.

Offsetting 22 turnovers and 41.8 percent shooting, the Yaks forced 33 turnovers with game-long, full-court, man-to-man defense. They also allowed the Pirates to shoot only 36 percent.

Yakima Valley meets Clackamas at 6 p.m. today.

“It was a typical early-season game,” YVCC coach Ray Funk said. “There was some offensive ugliness and too much standing around for my liking, but on the defensive end we played very hard and got after it.”

Damar Wilson scored 15 points and Derrick January 14 for YVCC, which led only 34-32 at halftime and broke the gmae open midway through the second half.

“Our pressure started to take a toll around the 12-minute mark,” Funk said. “They (the Pirates) were showing more and more fatigue.”

The tournament concludes Sunday.

PENINSULA — Manzanza 2-7 1-2 5, Jackson 1-6 0-0 3, Musgrow 3-6 0-0 7, Rutherford 3-9 1-3 8, Rawls 0-0 0-0 0, Jacobson 0-1 2-2 2, Johnson 2-5 0-0 4, Gamblin 1-3 5-6 8, Patten 0-0 0-0 0, Colton Worley 2-5 7-7 12, Jordan Collins 5-11 1-2 11. Totals 19-53 18-24 60.

YAKIMA VALLEY — Skelton 2-5 1-2 5, Blodgett 0-0 0-0 0, Damar Wilson 5-7 5-6 15, Evans 0-3 0-0 0, Jordan Kidd 5-15 10-12 23, Brown 2-3 2-4 6, Dornik 2-6 2-2 8, Derrick January 5-11 3-4 14, Kirvin 2-5 1-2 5, Gream 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 23-55 24-32 76.

Halftime: Yakima Valley 34, Peninsula 32. 3-point goals — Peninsula 4-9 (Gamblin 1-1, Worley 1-1, Jackson 1-2, Rutherford 1-4), YVCC 6-17 (Kidd 3-8, Dornik 2-5, January 1-1). Rebounds — Peninsula 41 (Worley 8, Gamblin 8), YVCC 34 (Brown 5). Total fouls — Peninsula 23, YVCC 22. Fouled out — Collins, Gamblin. Assists — Peninsula 11 (Rutherford 4), YVCC 14 (Skelton 4, Wilson 3). Turnovers — Peninsula 33, YVCC 22. Blocks — Peninsula 2, YVCC 5 (Kirvin 2, Brown 5). Steals — Peninsula 8 (Rutherford 4), YVCC 17 (Kidd 6, Skelton 3).

Wildcats fall at NNU tournament

NAMPA, Idaho — Former Davis standout Humberto Perez came off the bench for 14 points Friday, but Cental Washington succumbed to a second-half Dixie State run and fell to the Red Storm 78-75 in the NNU Thanksgiving Classic.

Another reserve, Toussaint Tyler, scored a game-high 16 points and J.C. Cook had 15 for Central (1-1), which will meet Colorado-Colorado Springs today.

“In the second half we missed a lot of easy shots,” CWU coach Greg Sparling said, “and when we needed to make our free throws, we didn’t down the stretch.”

Dixie, led by Donovan Plunkett’s 20 points, overcame an early second-half Central lead with an 8-0 run. The Wildcats were down by eight points with 2:44 to play, but Perez hit 3-pointer and Chris Sprinker scored a layup.

CWU still trailed by three when Perez got a steal under his own hoop and passed the ball out to the perimeter, but the Wildcats couldn’t score.

“We did a lot of good things, and we’re getting better,” said Sparling, who added that Central was not given credit for a free throw made by Toussaint Tyler in the early going. “We need to get better at making our easy shots.”

The Wildcats lost starting forwards Roby Clyde and Riley Sivak to fouls after 21 and 13 minutes, respectively.

CENTRAL WASHINGTON — Clyde 1-5 6-9 8, Sivak 1-3 2-2 4, Sprinker 3-7 1-2 7, Clift 1-5 0-0 3, J.C. Cook 5-14 4-4 15, Humberto Perez 5-8 0-0 14, Shelton 1-1 0-0 2, Gibler 2-7 0-0 4, Toussaint Tyler 4-9 7-10 16, Nelson 1-3 0-0 2. Totals 24-62 20-27 75.

DIXIE STATE — Andy Palmer 4-12 4-8 14, Tom Whitehead 4-8 6-6 15, Howard 2-4 0-0 4, Donovan Plunkett 6-11 4-4 20, Ross 1-6 1-3 4, Pugh 0-0 0-0 0, Barnes 0-1 0-0 0, Smith 0-0 2-4 2, Bronson 0-1 0-0 0, Lindquist 2-4 0-0 4, Zach Robbins 4-6 7-8 15, Araujo 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 23-53 24-33 78.

Halftime — Central 34, Dixie 34. 3-pooint goals — CWU 7-18 (Clyde 0-1, Clift 1-2, Cook 1-5, Perez 4-6, Tyler 1-4); DSC 8-17 (Palmer 2-6, Whitehead 1-3, Plunkett 4-5, Ross 1-3). Fouled out — Clyde, Sivak. Rebounds — CWU 38 (Sprinker 8); DSC 37 (Robbins 9). Assists — CWU 9 (four with 2); DSC 12 (Ross 5). Turnovers — CWU 13, DSC 14. Total fouls — CWU 26, DSC 22.

Central downed by Colo. Christian

NAMPA, Idaho — Jenn Jacobs scored 19 points and Sophie Russell added 13, but Colorado Christian staged a late surge to deal Central Washington an 81-70 loss Friday in the NNU Thanksgiving Classic.

The Wildcats, who have fallen twice to the Cougars in the past week, fell to 0-3 while CCU is 2-3.

Central led by 13 points twice in the first half and held a 41-40 advantage at intermission after shooting 52 percent, but followed with 39 percent shooting and, for the game, was outrebounded 45-26.

Juanise Cornell scored 20 points to lead four Cougars in double figures.

CWU meets Cal State Stanislaus today and will hold its home opener Dec. 5 against Academy of Art.

COLORADO CHRISTIAN — Bre McBeth 4-10 5-6 16, Juanise Cornell 8-14 4-4 20, Abby Rosenthal 5-12 5-6 16, Krall 0-1 6-8 6, Long 3-9 0-0 9, Holly Valdez 3-7 2-2 10, Hert 2-4 0-1 4. Totals 25-57 22-27 81.

CENTRAL WASHINGTON — Sophie Russell 5-9 2-3 13, Bergner 1-3 3-5 5, Afoa 2-4 2-4 6, Duerr 1-7 0-1 2, Fernandez 1-2 2-2 5, Betteridge 0-0 0-0 0, Murdoch 3-9 0-2 7, Jenn Jacobs 7-10 3-3 19, WalkingChild 3-8 1-1 7, Albrecht 3-5 0-0 6. Totals 26-57 13-21 70.

Halftime — CWU 41, CCU 40. 3-point goals — CCU 9-18 (McBeth 3-5, Rosenthal 1-1, Krall 0-1, Long 3-8, Valdez 2-3); CWU Russell 1-1 Duerr 0-2, Fernandez 1-2, Murdoch 1-4, Jacobs 2-3, WalkingChild 0-4). Fouled out — McBeth, Long, Afoa, Murdoch, Jacobs). Rebounds — CCU 45 (Rosenthal 10); CWU 26 (Afoa 5, Jacobs 5). Assists — CCU 18 (three with 4); CWU 16 (Jacobs 7). Turnovers — CCU 25, CWU 20.

Eisenhower boys jamboree today

YAKIMA, Wash. — Regular-season games don’t start until next week but local high school basketball fans can get a sneak peek today at Eisenhower’s annual day-long boys jamboree.

Four two-hour sessions — two varsity and two JV — will run from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Ike Gym.

The first varsity session starts at 3 p.m. and includes Highland, White Swan, Toppenish and Eisenhower. The Cadets will have a split squad and also be involved in the second varsity session, which starts at 7 p.m. and includes Selah, Granger and Naches Valley.

Toppenish is hosting a girls jamboree today, starting at 6 p.m., with Davis, Selah and Riverside Christian.

11/28/09 Away at School

KAYLA STANDISH (Ellensburg), a sophomore at Gonzaga, scored a career-high 25 points on 11-for-13 shooting in Wednesday’s win over North Dakota. Standish hit both of her 3-point shots, grabbed four rebounds and blocked two shots for the Zags, who are 5-1 with wins over USC and Washington.

TALIA VENERA (Ellensburg), a sophomore outside hitter at Wenatchee Valley, was named a second team All-American by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. Venera led her team to third place in the NWAACC championship tournament. DARIA WINCKLER (Davis), a freshman with the Knights, joined Venera on the NWAACC’s East Region first team.

JESSICA HUNTINGTON (East Valley), a senior on the Eastern Washington women’s basketball team, scored a team-high 18 points as the Eagles defeated Portland 72-64 in their season-opener. Huntington was 4 of 9 from the field, including 3 of 5 from 3-point range, was 7 of 9 from the foul line and added three assists, two rebounds and two steals.

KINZI POTEET (Grandview), a freshman at Boise State, had a game-high nine rebounds in BSU’s win over Utah Valley on Tuesday. Poteet ranks second in rebounds for the unbeaten Broncos (5-0) with a 5.4 average.

KIM JIMENEZ (Eisenhower), a sophomore at Columbia Basin College, set a school record for digs in a match with 47 in a NWAACC East volleyball contest against Blue Mountain. Jimenez will play in the NWAACC All-Star Sophomore event in Dec. 5 in Moses Lake.

ANTHONY JOHNSON (Yakima Valley CC), a senior on the Montana men’s basketball team, has been named the Big Sky Conference’s Player of the Week. Johnson averaged 22.3 points, 4.7 assists and 3.7 rebounds as Montana beat North Dakota, Boise State and Loyola-Marymount for the title. Last season’s Big Sky Newcomer of the Year shot .528 from the field, .538 from 3-point range and .917 from the foul line during the three games, and will begin his next contest having made 20 free throws in a row. Later, Johnson scored 20 points to lead Montana to  68-55 win at Oregon — the Grizzlies’ first defeat of a Pac-10 school since 2005-06.

Common bonds

Top-ranked Ellensburg will face similar 12-0 when it meets West Valley in state 2A semifinals//

When Ellensburg and West Valley of Spokane collide in Saturday’s Class 2A state football semifinal, parallel tracks will intersect.

Not only are both teams in full flight at 12-0 but they share five common opponents — a fact that Ellensburg coach Randy Affholter finds useful in the film room but dicey for drawing any serious conclusions.

 

 

“It definitely helps for preparation, seeing what they’ve done against teams we’ve played, but you want to avoid comparing scores,” he said. “We tell our kids not to worry about this score or that score. It’s all about our matchup.”

Both teams have played Ephrata, Pullman, Selah, Othello and Clarkston and Affholter is right — one set of comparative scores can contradict another.

For example, West Valley opened with a 22-0 win over Ephrata while the top-ranked Bulldogs nearly tripled that margin at 61-0. By contrast, the Eagles allowed only one fourth-quarter touchdown to Clarkston while Ellensburg yielded 35 points to the Bantams two weeks ago.

A more meaningful similarity is at quarterback, where both teams will have their most versatile and dynamic athletes on display in the 4 p.m. game at Spokane’s Joe Albi Stadium.

Ethan Sterkel has powered Ellensburg with a silly-good 77-percent completion rate and 37 touchdowns — 20 of them to Kramer Ferrell. And even though he threw three TD passes last week against Mark Morris, Sterkel expanded his role as a dangerous and elusive runner with a season-high 103 yards on 14 carries.

“We didn’t run him as much earlier in the season because we didn’t have to and we wanted to save the hits on him,” Affholter explained. “We always talked about running more in the playoffs if the opportunity was there.”

West Valley’s Drew Clausen has been a designed part of the Eagles’ ground game all season. The 5-11, 175-pound senior has completed 63 percent of his passes for 1,726 yards, but he has also run the ball 146 times — twice as many as Sterkel — and scored 13 TDs.

“To us, he’s like Kramer Ferrell playing quarterback. An athlete who can make a lot of plays,” Affholter said. “He’s a focal part of their offense and he likes to peel off and run. When he does that he’s hard to bring down.”

In last week’s overtime win over Othello, Clausen threw scoring passes to three different receivers, ran for 63 yards and scored the winner in OT for the Eagles, who overcame five turnovers and 118 penalty yards.

Another similarity is the stoutness of their defenses. Both teams have allowed a touchdown or less in eight of 12 games. Selah, the CWAC’s No. 3 playoff team, could not score on either team.

“I think people underestimate Ellensburg’s defense,” said Selah coach Jeff Jamieson. “Maybe that’s because their offense is so good, but they really get to the ball. It will be interesting to see what West Valley does against Ellensburg’s spread because they run a 5-3 and like to put eight in the box.”

At the center of West Valley’s defense is senior middle linebacker Sam Schoesler (6-0, 210), who has recorded 100 tackles in three straight seasons. Also the Eagles’ tight end, Schoesler is one of five two-way starters.

West Valley is another team that will have an edge in size, but that’s just old news for Ellensburg.

“In the playoffs we’re going to be undersized against everybody,” Affholter noted. “Against Clarkston, which was big and physical, we weren’t as technically sound as we needed to be. But we were much better against Mark Morris, which was also big.

“As long as we’re technically sound, we can use our speed and get to the football.”

Turning that speed loose is why Affholter wanted to play on Lampson Stadium’s turf last week. And even though the Bulldog faithful is grumbling about having to travel to Spokane rather than Moses Lake on Saturday, Albi’s turf offers the same fast track.

“And it sounds like it will be dry,” Affholter said. “We’re OK with that.”

Fall prep sports honor roll

NOTE: The Yakima Herald-Republic’s honor roll is a roundup of fall all-league teams involving local high schools. All these teams were selected by coaches. For individual-based sports, such as cross country and swimming, all-league teams are based on district or league results that have already appeared in the paper.

FOOTBALL

CBBN Cascade

Co-MVP: Joe Fuerst, Eisenhower and Ryan Watson, Eisenhower.

Co-offensive lineman of the year: Zack Sumerlin, Walla Walla and Abel Soto, Eisenhower.

Offensive player of the year: Tim White, Kamiakin.

Defensive player of the year: Seth Kline, Eisenhower.

Coach of the year: Dan Eyman, Eisenhower.

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

OL: *Abel Soto, Eisenhower, jr.; *Matt Briceno, Eisenhower, jr.; *Zach Sumerlin, Walla Walla, sr.; Ryan James, Walla Walla, sr.; Joey White, Richland, jr. TE: Ryan Watson, Eisenhower, sr. WR: *Antonio Martinez, Eisenhower, sr.; *Tim White, Kamiakin, jr.; Gary Winston, Walla Walla, sr.; Asya Moriaka, Eisenhower, sr. QB: James Lopez, Eisenhower, sr. RB: *Joe Fuerst, Eisenhower, sr.; *Jake McKinney, Richland, jr.

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

OL: Pat Sullivan, Chiawana, jr.; Aaron Neary, Hanford, jr.; Eric Eastman, Walla Walla, sr.; Matt Neuharth, Eisenhower, sr.; Kriss Bragg, Kamiakin, sr. TE: Garrett Gallinger, Richland, sr. WR: Darren Spaeth, Eastmont, jr.; Colton Arias, Walla Walla, sr.; Jake Smith, West Valley, sr. QB: Corey Hutchison, Kamiakin, sr. RB: Austin Schilling, Walla Walla, sr.; Cameron Wagar, Hanford, jr.

HONORABLE MENTION OFFENSE

OL: Derek Rowden, Eisenhower, sr.; Brady Simpson, Richland, jr.; Nolan Haehl, Eastmont, jr.; Joel Teats, Richland, jr.; Joe Allen, Kamiakin, jr.; Rob Ferenz, Walla Walla, so.; Jarrod Turner, Richland, jr. TE: Nick Mackay, Chiawana, jr. WR: CJ Eddrington, Chiawana, so.; Tyler Holle, Kamiakin, jr.; AJ Griffiths, Kamiakin, jr.; Moe Handcox, Walla Walla, so. QB: Michael Weisner, Walla Walla, sr. RB: Jordan Downing, Chiawana, so.; Brandon Porter, Walla Walla, sr.

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

DL: *Ryan Watson, Eisenhower, sr.; *Dustin Martin, Eisenhower, jr.; *Eric Eastman, Walla Walla, sr.; Jon Allen, Kamiakin, jr. LB: *Seth Kline, Eisenhower, sr.; *Matt Minnich, Kamiakin, sr.; Nick Vincent, Chiawana, jr.; Morgan Maddess, Walla Walla, sr. DB: *Tim White, Kamiakin, jr.; *Aaron Flippo, Walla Walla, sr.; James Akers, Eisenhower, sr.; Kyler Hernandez, Eisenhower, sr.

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE

DL: Jarrod Turner, Richland, jr.; Zach Sumerlin, Walla Walla, sr.; Bruce Smith, Eisenhower, sr.; Aaron Neary, Hanford, jr. LB: Dylan Hudson, Eisenhower, sr.; Issac Sarate, Eisenhower, sr.; Grant Gallinger, Richland, sr.; Weston Green, West Valley, sr.; Ryan James, Walla Walla, sr. DB: Colton Arias, Walla Walla, sr.; Gary Winston, Walla Walla, sr.; Cameron Wagar, Hanford, jr.; Trey Loera, Kamiakin, sr.

HONORABLE MENTION DEFENSE

DL: Keenan Corrado, Richland, jr.; Kriss Bragg, Kamiakin, sr.; Brandon Porter, Walla Walla, sr. LB: Jonathan Herrera, Eisenhower, sr.; Trevor Powers, Kamiakin, jr.; Joe Clements, Hanford, sr.; Joel Teats, Richland, jr. DB: Tyler Hibdon, Richland, jr.; Trevor Osborn, Eastmont, jr.; Daniel Ortega, Eisenhower, sr.; Kyle Miller, sr.; Moe Handcox, Walla Walla, so.; Ryan Pierce, Eastmont, jr.

SPECIAL TEAMS

First team — Punter: *Matt Watson, Walla Walla, jr. Kicker: *Andre Arcand, Eisenhower, sr. All-purpose: *Tim White, Kamiakin, jr. Return: *Tim White, Kamiakin, jr. Second team — Punter: Jose Serrano, West Valley, sr. Kicker: Pete Hanson, Hanford, so. All-purpose: Gary Winston, Walla Walla, sr. HM — Punter: Enrique Espinoza, Eastmont, sr.

* Designates unanimous selection.

CBBN Columbia

MVP: Jacob Sealby, Wenatchee.

Co-offensive lineman of the year: Brent Anderson, Southridge and Mike Marboe, Wenatchee.

Co-offensive player of the year: Dylan Signorelli, Moses Lake and Dallin Palmer, Southridge.

Defensive player of the year: Austin Graves, Southridge.

Coach of the year: Scott Devereaux, Wenatchee.

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

OL: *Willy Camacho, Moses Lake, sr.; *Brent Anderson, Southridge, sr.; *Mike Marboe, Wenatchee, sr.; Greg Haste, Southridge, sr.; Cam Markel, Wenatchee, sr. TE: *Jacob Price, Pasco, sr. WR: *Drew Loftus, Kennewick, jr.; *Mitchell Hill, Moses Lake, sr.; Austin Wilborn, Pasco, sr. QB: *Dylan Signorelli, Moses Lake, sr. RB: *Dallin Palmer, Southridge, jr.; *Jacob Sealby, Wenatchee, sr.

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

OL: Brodrick Hirai, Southridge, sr.; Chance Graff, Sunnyside, sr.; Austin Wilkie, Kennewick, sr.; Dominique Holman, Moses Lake, sr.; Dylan Asher, Wenatchee, sr. TE: Austin Graves, Southridge, sr. WR: Jordan Wilks, Moses Lake, sr.; David Trimble, Davis, so.; Jimmy Molina, Moses Lake, sr.; Marques Avery, Pasco, sr. QB: Trent Brown, Kennewick, sr. RB: Danny Almeida, Sunnyside, sr.; Mitchell Vinsant, Davis, sr.

HONORABLE MENTION OFFENSE

OL: Jose Barajas, Sunnyside, sr.; Alec Martin, Wenatchee, jr.; Sebastian Hunt, Davis, jr.; Austin Brinkworth, Southridge, jr.; Gonzalo Nunez, Pasco, sr. TE: Jared Jaeger, Wenatchee, jr. WR: Jackson Marquis, Davis, jr.; Chris Whitney, Southridge, sr.; Randy Koon, Moses Lake, sr. QB: Stephan Garcia, Southridge, sr. RB: Blair Dorn, Wenatchee, sr.; DeVaunte Lamb, Pasco, jr.

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

DL: *Austin Graves, Southridge, sr.; *Mike Marboe, Wenatchee, sr.; Kyle Palmer, Moses Lake, sr.; C.J. McCray, Davis, so.; Jacob Price, Pasco, sr. LB: *Drew Powell, Southridge, sr.; *Jacob Sealby, Wenatchee, sr.; Elliot Dano, Moses Lake, sr.; Lucas Sealby, Wenatchee, sr. DB: Randy Koon, Moses Lake, sr.; Austin Wilborn, Pasco, sr.; Keaton Smith, Wenatchee, jr.; Leo Cuellar, Sunnyside, sr.; David Trimble, Davis, so.

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE

DL: Brodrick Hirai, Southridge, sr.; Brent Anderson, Southridge, sr.; Kabe Fluaitt, Moses Lake, jr.; Jose Barajas, Sunnyside, sr. LB: Josh White Elk, Davis, jr.; Julian Rojas, Southridge, sr.; Bevin Whitby, Pasco, sr.; Ryan Phelps, Wenatchee, sr. DB: Dallin Brimley, Kennewick, sr.; Drew Loftus, Kennewick, jr.; Tamrich Perez, Southridge, sr.

HONORABLE MENTION DEFENSE

DL: Travis Sharp, Kennewick, sr.; Devin Pirnat, Wenatchee, sr.; Sebastian Hunt, Davis, jr.; Tyler Zaback, Kennewick, sr.; Chris Guerra, Moses Lake, jr. LB: Brian Chamberlain, Moses Lake, jr.; Colton Messer, Moses Lake, sr.; Brian Bowe, Southridge, sr.; Noah Fenhaus, Wenatchee, jr. DB: Jacob Petersen, Wenatchee, sr.; Taylor LeGrave, Moses Lake, jr.; Mike McAdie, Southridge, jr.; Brandon Search, Pasco, jr.; Cooper Helm, Wenatchee, jr.

SPECIAL TEAMS

First team — Punter: Chris Woodard, Wenatchee, so. Kicker: Angel Guerra, Wenatchee, jr. All-purpose: Drew Loftus, Kennewick, jr. Return: Drew Loftus, Kennewick, jr. Second team — Punter: Julian Rojas, Southridge, sr. Kicker: Israel Manzo, Sunnyside, so. All-purpose: Dallin Palmer, Southridge, jr. Return: Israel Manzo, Sunnyside, so. HM — Punter: Israel Manzo, Sunnyside, so. Kicker: Chandler Mertens, Southridge, so. All-purpose: Israel Manzo, Sunnyside, so. Return: Mitchell Hill, Moses Lake, sr.

* Designates unanimous selection.

CWAC

Offensive MVP: Ethan Sterkel, Ellensburg.

Defensive MVP: Devon Lind, Othello.

Coach of the year: Randy Affholter, Ellensburg.

Sportsmanship: East Valley.

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

QB: *Ethan Sterkel, Ellensburg, sr. RB: Jacob Massey, Grandview, sr.; Cody Nickoloff, Wapato, jr.; Isaac Anderson, Prosser, so. WR: *Kramer Ferrell, Ellensburg, jr.; Dominic Garza, Prosser, jr.; Quincy Davis, Selah, sr. TE: *Blaze Affholter, Ellensburg, sr. C: Grant Wilcox, Ellensburg, sr.; Jusdin Lynch, Othello, sr. G: Jesse Espinoza, Othello, sr.; Nate Meeske, Prosser, sr. T: Jake Lunceford, Selah, sr.; Kyle Matthews, Ellensburg, sr.

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

QB: Jeremy Cerrillo, Othello, sr. RB: Carlos Ramirez, Toppenish, jr.; Breck Webley, Quincy, sr.; Parker Davis, Othello, sr. WR: Devon Lind, Othello, sr.; Chris Brunetti, Othello, sr.; Jose Lara, Grandview, sr. TE: Shawn Thompson, Selah, sr. C: Cameron Grohs, Prosser, sr. G: Tyler Morris, Ellensburg, sr.; Justin Lamson, Selah, sr. T: Adrian Garcia, Othello, jr.; Nic Diaz, Othello, sr.; Kody Hartley, Prosser, sr.

HONORABLE MENTION OFFENSE

QB: T.J. Finn, Prosser, jr. RB: Matt Jensen, Othello, sr.; Ivan Macias, Toppenish, jr.; Eli Curtsinger, East Valley, so.; Travis Flint, Ephrata, sr. WR: Adam Haberman, Ellensburg, jr.; Sungyoung Lee, Ellensburg, jr.; Beau Hazzard, Prosser, sr. TE: D.J. Cantu, Othello, jr. G: Alex Aiken, East Valley, sr.; Paul Eppich, Othello, jr. T: Cole Groom, Prosser, sr.; Juan Tapia, Grandview, sr.

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

DL: *Jake Lunceford, Selah, sr.; Conor Hamilton, Othello, sr.; Blaze Affholter, Ellensburg, sr.; Nate Meeske, Prosser, sr. ILB: Isaac Alaniz, Grandview, sr.; Daniel Walker, Othello, sr. OLB: Eddie Garza, Othello, jr.; Bobby Riddle, Ellensburg, jr.; Stephen Stein, Ellensburg, sr. DB: *Devon Lind, Othello, sr.; *Quincy Davis, Selah, sr.; Dominic Garza, Prosser, jr.; Ethan Sterkel, Ellensburg, sr.

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE

DL: Kyle Matthews, Ellensburg, sr.; Shawn Thompson, Selah, sr.; Joe Kelleher, Ellensburg, sr.; C.J. Garza, Othello, sr. ILB: Tyler Morris, Ellensburg, sr.; Travis Luke, Selah, sr. OLB: Carlos Ramirez, Toppenish, jr. DB: Kramer Ferrell, Ellensburg, jr.; Sungyoung Lee, Ellensburg, jr.; Cody Nickoloff, Wapato, jr.; Camdon Ashby, Selah, sr.

HONORABLE MENTION DEFENSE

DL: Billy Duke, Othello, sr.; Cameron Grohs, Prosser, sr.; Kasey Lent-Jones, Selah, jr.; Brenden Barela, East Valley, jr. ILB: Anthony Dorsett, Prosser, sr.; Armando Deleon, Othello, jr. OLB: Mark Valencourt, Selah, sr.; Cesar Lopez, Prosser, jr. DB: Jordan Cameron, East Valley, sr.; Matt Jordan, Othello, jr.; Jose Lara, Grandview, sr.; Ivan Macias, Toppenish, jr.

SPECIAL TEAMS

First team — Punter: Jesse Chavez, Wapato, sr. Kicker: Caleb Buck, East Valley, sr. Return: Devon Lind, Othello, sr. Second team — Punter: Jeremy Cerrillo, Othello, sr. Kicker: Daniel Hernandez, Selah, so. Return: Jose Lara, Grandview, sr. Honorable mention — Punter: Caleb Buck, East Valley, sr. Return: Sungyoung Lee, Ellensburg, jr.

* Designates unanimous selection.

SCAC West

Offensive player of the year: Nic Lukehart, Naches Valley, sr.

Defensive player of the year: Nolan Sheehan, Naches Valley, sr.

Coach of the year: Don Strother, Goldendale.

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

QB: Tyrell Cronin, Goldendale, jr. RB: Chris Castillo, Zillah, jr.; Forrest Kopta, Highland, jr.; Nic Lukehart, Naches Valley, sr. WR: J.D. Moss, Goldendale, sr.; Dylan Swain, Naches Valley, sr.; Matt James, Granger, jr. TE: Kane Koerner, Zillah, sr. OL: Aaron Cochran, Goldendale, sr.; Josiah Meadows, Naches Valley, jr.; Nathaniel Deardorff, Zillah, jr.; Alex Laughery, Highland, jr.; Trevor Oswalt, Zillah, sr.

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

QB: Billy Craig, Naches Valley, sr. RB: Cameron Bounds, Zillah, sr.; Torey Spaulding-Jiminez, Goldendale, jr.; Chase Carpenter, Granger, sr. WR: Cody Herin, Goldendale, sr.; Antonio Gonzalez, Highland, so.; Justen Weigel, Naches Valley, sr. TE: Zane MacRae, Goldendale, jr. OL: Cody Mullins, Naches Valley, sr.; Kolin Shinn, Granger, sr.; Jose Casimiro, Goldendale, jr.; Blake Lesko, Goldendale, jr.; Ryan Tate, Cle Elum, jr.

HONORABLE MENTION OFFENSE

QB: Joe Burns, Zillah, jr.; Matthew Newman, Highland, jr. RB: Noe Gutierrez, Mabton-Bickleton, jr.; Jake Gall, Cle Elum, fr.; Ricky Cuellar, Zillah, so. WR: Anthony Dobson, Goldendale, jr.; Tanner Winckler, Zillah, sr.; Jason Zapel, Cle Elum, sr. TE: Ryan Foust, Cle Elum, sr. OL: Kyle Kluever, Zillah, jr.; Kyle Belton, Highland, sr.; Reed Lindhe, Goldendale, jr.; Matt Macias, Granger, jr.; Devin Winters, Cle Elum, so.

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

DL: Kane Koerner, Zillah, sr.; C.J. Sanchez, Zillah, sr.; Trevor Oswalt, Zillah, sr.; Reed Lindhe, Goldendale, jr. LB: Aaron Cochran, Goldendale, sr.; Cameron Bounds, Zillah, sr.; Nolan Sheehan, Naches Valley, sr.; Seth Darling, Cle Elum, sr. DB: Justen Weigel, Naches Valley, sr.; Nic Lukehart, Naches Valley, sr.; Skylor Davis, Zillah, sr.; Ricky Cuellar, Zillah, so.

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE

DL: Josiah Meadows, Naches Valley, jr.; Cody Mullins, Naches Valley, sr.; Alex Laughery, Highland, jr.; Adam Hinrich, Cle Elum, sr. LB: Noe Gutierrez, Mabton-Bickleton, jr.; Blake Lesko, Goldendale, jr.; Julio Cortez, Granger, sr.; Chris Castillo, Zillah, jr. DB: Kavan Stoltenow, Highland, jr.; Justin Garrigues, Goldendale, sr.; Anthony Dobson, Goldendale, jr.; Zane MacRae, Goldendale, jr.

HONORABLE MENTION DEFENSE

DL: Keith Pearson, Cle Elum, sr.; Ben Guerra, Granger, jr.; Jose Casimiro, Goldendale, jr.; Mathieu Hatchel, Naches Valley, so. LB: JimJack Davenport, Goldendale, sr.; Matt Macias, Granger, jr.; Joe Jensen, Zillah, jr.; Roberto Sanchez, Cle Elum, sr. DB: Dylan Swain, Naches Valley, sr.; Cody Herin, Goldendale, sr.; Adrian Guerrero, Granger, fr.; Robert Slack, Zillah, fr.

SPECIAL TEAMS

First team — K: Antonio Gonzalez, Highland, so. P: Anthony Dobson, Goldendale, jr. KR: Skylor Davis, Zillah, sr. Second team — K: Nick Rogers, Naches Valley, sr. P: Billy Craig, Naches Valley, sr. KR: Michael Newman, Cle Elum, so. Honorable mention — K: Braydon Ross, Goldendale, so. P: Antonio Gonzalez, Highland, so. KR: Torey Spaulding-Jiminez, Goldendale, jr.

Central Washington 2B

Offensive MVP: Paul Oursland, Kittitas.

Defensive MVP: Matt Kuribayashi, La Salle.

Coach of the Year: Jack McMillan, La Salle.

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

QB: Mike McGree, sr., La Salle. RB: Tony Cacchiotti, jr., La Salle; Paul Oursland, sr., Kittitas. WR: Brandon Funston, sr., Oroville; Ross Anderton, sr., La Salle. TE: Mike Stiekema, sr., La Salle. C: Corey Williams, sr., White Swan. OL: Kennon Brist, sr., Kittitas; Steve Gasseling, sr., La Salle; Dane Voelker, sr., La Salle; Josh Bartlett, sr., La Salle. PK: Mitchell Kennedy, jr., La Salle.

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

QB: Kyler Moats, jr., Soap Lake. RB: Jordan Pittman, jr., Manson; Nic Woodard, so., La Salle. WR: David Coreas, jr., Soap Lake; Heath Owens, sr., White Swan. TE: Austin Hinderer, sr., Waterville. C: Ryland Fogle, sr., Kittitas. OL: Nick Butterfield, sr., La Salle; Matt Studard, jr., Oroville; Tyler Herrea, jr., Oroville; Dustin Dean, jr., Kittitas. PK: Manuel Linke, jr., Waterville.

HONORABLE MENTION OFFENSE

Locals only

QB: Curtiss Oliva, jr., White Swan; Tom Studer, jr., Kittitas. RB: Taylor Morris, jr., Kittitas. WR: Spencer Slyfield, sr., Kittitas; Joe Sullivan, jr., La Salle. TE: Zack Wallace, jr., Kittitas. OL: Cord Kivi, sr., Kittitas; Skyler Bilyeu, sr., Kittitas; Jacob Powers, sr., White Swan; Nathaniel Fiander, jr., White Swan. PK: Tom Studer, jr., Kittitas; Alfrado Galvin, jr., White Swan.

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

DL: Josh Bartlett, sr., La Salle; Kameron Brist, sr., Kittitas; Dane Voelker, sr., La Salle; Kennon Brist, sr., Kittitas. LB: Matt Kuribayashi, sr., La Salle; Paul Oursland, sr., Kittitas; Tony Cacchiotti, jr., La Salle; Taras Boychuck, sr., Soap Lake. DB: Tyson Simmons, sr., Liberty Bell; Dan Brusic, sr., La Salle; Spencer Slyfield, sr., Kittitas; Kyler Moats, jr., Soap Lake. P: Roy Ramirez, so., Entiat.

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE

DL: Jacob Treat, jr., Soap Lake; Sean Sanders, sr., Entiat; Steve Gasseling, sr., La Salle; Ian Daling, sr., Waterville. LB: Nicky Perez, so., Oroville; Corey Williams, sr., White Swan; Billy Yates, sr., White Swan; Jordan Pittman, jr., Manson. DB: Dylan Sattler, sr., La Salle; Heath Owens, sr., White Swan; Taylor Morris, jr., Kittitas; Derreck Follett, jr., Waterville. P: Kolton Hicks, sr., Liberty Bell.

HONORABLE MENTION

Locals only

DL: Clive Bailey, sr., White Swan; Jacob Powers, sr., White Swan; Nathaniel Fiander, jr., White Swan; Dustin Dean, jr., Kittitas; David Fuentes, jr., Kittitas; Brett Lovell, sr., Kittitas; Nick Butterfield, sr., La Salle. LB: Zack Wallace, jr., Kittitas; Nate Poulson, sr., Kittitas; Jered Newcomb, sr., Kittitas. DB: Alex Sampson, fr., White Swan; Seth Holden, fr., Kittitas; Mike McGree, sr., La Salle.

GIRLS SOCCER

CBBN

Co-MVP: Haley Curtis, West Valley, sr., and Jori Skorpik, Kamiakin, sr.

Coach of the year: Chris Erikson, Kamiakin.

First team

Forward: Erin Huisingh, Chiawana, jr.; Jori Skorpik, Kamiakin, sr.; Kaylie Winston, Pasco, sr.; Heather Johnson, Southridge, so.; Haley Curtis, West Valley, sr. Midfielder: Ashlyn Keller, Eisenhower, sr.; Kahiesha Johnson, Hanford, jr.; Kristyn Bohlander, Kamiakin, so.; Shawna Anderson, Pasco, sr.; Sam Lee, Richland, jr.; Jenna Wallace, Southridge, sr.; Ashley Richardson, West Valley, jr. Defender: Courtney Abrams, Eisenhower, jr.; Brianna Brannan, Kamiakin, sr.; Caitlyn Blundon, Pasco, sr.; Kenzie Lubek, Richland, jr.; Laquilla Upton, Southridge, sr.; Jenny Johnson, Wenatchee, jr.; Lindsay Burns, West Valley, fr. Goalkeeper: Olivia Diaz, Richland, sr.; Lee Hanses, West Valley, sr.

Second team

Forward: Taylor Reynolds, Eastmont, jr.; Katy Allen, Eisenhower, sr.; Shelby Gunion, Kamiakin, sr.; Sydney Kimbro, Moses Lake, jr.; Marianne Johnson, Pasco, sr.; Bria Caldwell, Richland, jr.; Korynn Blanksma, Wenatchee, jr. Midfielder: Brianna Mares, Eisenhower, jr.; Emily Meyer, Kamiakin, sr.; Kelsie Grant, Moses Lake, so.; Teea Bunker, Richland, sr.; Hanna Gustafsson, Wenatchee, sr.; Sandy Hanses, West Valley, fr. Defender: Baylee Jones, Eisenhower, sr.; Caroline Exarhos, Hanford, so.; Shannon Gunion, Kamiakin, sr.; Abby Stones, Moses Lake, so.; Missy Everson, Pasco, sr.; Sydni Jamerson, Richland, so.; Jaden Gjestrum, West Valley, so. Goalkeeper: Madi Meyer, Kamiakin, sr.; Ingrid Stein, Southridge, so.

Honorable mention

Forward: Lexi Miller, Chiawana, fr.; Michelle Galvan, Sunnyside, sr.; Samantha Wright, Sunnyside, sr.; Mindy Howard, Wenatchee, sr. Midfielder: Mackenna Morton, Davis, fr.; Katie Jach, Davis, so.; Katie Arendt, Chiawana, jr.; Sydney Chesnut, Eastmont, sr.; Jennifer McKenna, Eisenhower, jr.; Haille Heid, Hanford, so.; Margarita Munoz, Moses Lake, jr.; Colby Happer, Moses Lake, so.; Martha Sanford, Richland, sr.; Rhiannon Downs, Southridge, sr.; Paige Sorenson, Southridge, jr. Defender: Taryn Cobane, Davis, jr.; Ashley Kelly, Chiawana, jr.; Alyssa Medina, Eastmont, sr.; Shelby Bigness, Kamiakin, sr.; Rachel Dittmer, Richland, sr.; Kari Merrell, Southridge, sr.; Analisa Van Oostrum, Sunnyside, jr.; Katie Covey, Wenatchee, jr.; Megan Young, Kennewick, fr.

CWAC

MVP: Monik Martinez, Selah, sr.

Coach of the year: Gary Mellick, East Valley.

Sportsmanship: Ephrata.

First team

Forward: Kelli Wilson, Prosser, sr.; Adrianna Jones, East Valley, sr.; Kaylah Gonzales, East Valley, sr.; Lindsay Garza, Othello, jr. Midfielder: Line Markhus, Prosser, sr.; Jessica Baken, East Valley, sr.; Monik Martinez, Selah, sr.; Hadli Farrand, Ellensburg, jr. Defender: Brooke Adams, Prosser, jr.; Mary Orthmann, East Valley, sr.; Kari Inch, Ephrata, jr.; Audre Hyatt, Selah, sr. Goalkeeper: Hollie Thierolf, East Valley, sr.

Second team

Forward: Helen Petersen, Prosser, so.; Alex Youngberg, Ephrata, sr.; Katelyn Ronning, Ellensburg, sr.; Hannah Cordova, Wapato, sr. Midfielder: Yasamin Mohsenian, East Valley, so.; Sarah McMartin, Ephrata, sr.; Sharayah Ott, Selah, sr.; Bertha Valencia, Wapato, sr. Defender: Esmeralda Cano, Toppenish, sr.; Adriana Uribe, Selah, sr.; Torri Orendorff, Ellensburg, jr.; Tiffany Martinez, Othello, sr. Goalkeeper: Courtney Cable, Selah, sr.

Honorable mention

Forward: Madison Moore, Prosser, so.; Kylie Ott, Selah, so.; Vanessa McDonald, Othello, so.; Keilin Farrand, Ellensburg, fr.; Karissa Trinidad, Grandview, fr. Midfielder: Ashlee Betancourth, East Valley, so.; Oryian Methany, Grandview, fr.; Alexis Martinez, Othello, so.; Emily Sween, Ephrata, so. Defender: Karley Crawford, Prosser, so.; Natalie Anson, East Valley, sr.; Claudia Gonzales, Selah, jr.; Dulce Barajas, Wapato, sr. Goalkeeper: Lianne Day, Ellensburg, sr.

SCAC

MVP: Ally Hernandez, La Salle, sr.

Co-coach of the year: Felix Hernandez, Highland, and Marty Martinez, Kiona-Benton.

Sportsmanship: Warden.

First team

Forward: Ally Hernandez, La Salle, sr.; Alyssa Wickenhagen, Highland, fr.; Brianna Casper, Connell, sr. Midfielder: Kala Kolezer, Connell, sr.; Brittany Elston, Naches Valley, sr.; Alma Garcia, Highland, jr.; Sari Munoz, Wahluke, sr. Defender: Rachel Taylor, Connell, sr.; Daisy Metcalf, Kiona-Benton, so.; Katie Vickers, La Salle, sr.; Andrea Wickenhagen, Highland, jr. Goalkeeper: Teresa Flores, Mabton, sr.

Second team

Forward: Kellie Bernhardt, Naches Valley, sr.; Linda Hernandez, Wahluke, jr.; Alma Leon, Mabton, jr. Midfielder: Savannah Bonny, La Salle, jr.; Emily Blizard, Kiona-Benton, sr.; Sara McGary, Connell, sr.; Julia Kennedy, La Salle, sr. Defender: Marissa Ortiz, Goldendale, sr.; Morgan Cross, Cle Elum, fr.; Gladys Meza, Royal, so.; Monica Gonzalez, Royal, sr. Goalkeeper: Maci Whitby, Connell, jr.

Honorable mention

Forward: Shyiel Molano, Naches Valley, sr.; Bailey Schroeder, Kiona-Benton, fr. Midfielder: Katie Knoebel, La Salle, sr.; Leslie Estrada, Warden, jr.; Taylor Edson, Warden, so.; Macey Stakkeland, Royal, sr. Defender: Keyla Diaz, Goldendale, so. Goalkeeper: Danica West, Cle Elum, sr.; Chelsea Adkins, La Salle, sr.; Melissa Cervante, Highland, jr.; Yolanda Solis, Wahluke, jr.

VOLLEYBALL

CBBN

MVP: Tori Fisher, Eisenhower, sr.

Coach of the year: John Lengphounpraseut, Southridge.

Sportsmanship: Sunnyside.

First team

Setter: Krysta Olberding, Richland, sr.; Andrea Smith, Southridge, so. Outside hitter: Tori Fisher, Eisenhower, sr.; Kayla Randles, Eisenhower, sr.; Chelsey Bettinson, Richland, jr.; Heather Worley, Southridge, sr.; Rachel Hanses, West Valley, jr. Middle hitter: Jordan Bird, Hanford, sr.; Kelsey Julian, Kennewick, jr.; Meagan Doyle, Southridge, sr. Libero: Elizabeth Judy, Richland, sr.; Amanda Roy, Wenatchee sr.

Second team

Setter: Paige Wamboldt, Kamiakin, sr.; Julia Nathe, West Valley, fr. Outside hitter: Sadie Sparks, Chiawana, so.; Holly Gale, Eastmont, sr., Kailee Dunn, Kamiakin, sr.; Jamie Lyons, Southridge, sr.; Courtney Zaro, Walla Walla, sr. Middle hitter: Kristi Beyer, Kamiakin, sr.; Kassy Larsen, Kamiakin, jr.; Karis Gamache, Pasco, sr. Libero: Laekynn Culpepper, Kamiakin, sr.; Lexi Filliol, West Valley, sr.

Honorable mention

Setter: Brooke Lybeck, Davis, sr.; Suzi Davison, Eastmont, so.; Carrie Johnston, Eisenhower, jr.; Cricket Louie, Hanford, jr.; Mariah Zaback, Kennewick, jr.; Jill McDaniels, Walla Walla, sr. Outside hitter: Raini Weaver, Davis, sr.; Haley Niesz, Eastmont, jr.; Meghan McIntyre, Kennewick, so.; Karis Gamache, Pasco, sr.; Kendra Voorhees, Pasco, sr.; Michelle Coughanour, Richland, sr.; Madeline Jacobs, Richland, jr.; Danielle Harvey, Southridge, jr.; Jamie Weisner, Walla Walla, so.; Morgan McDowell, West Valley, so. Middle hitter: Bailey Norval, Eastmont, sr.; Shelby Fitterer, Eisenhower, jr.; Bethany Huston, Kamiakin, sr.; Kaytlyn Coleman, Kennewick, jr.; Kayla Bernsen, Moses Lake, jr.; Alexandra Estes, Richland, sr.; Shelby Warner, Southridge, so.; Dani Hallberg, Wenatchee, sr.; Emily Yost, West Valley, sr. Libero: Jazmen Hernandez, Eisenhower, jr.; Arielle Dreher, Hanford, sr.; Kali Buckendorf, Kennewick, sr.; Eugenia Soto, Kennewick, sr.; Mindy Robbins, Moses Lake, jr.; Karly Stoltman, Moses Lake, sr.; Alissa Martin, Sunnyside, sr.; Tianna Cummings, Walla Walla, so.

CWAC

MVP: Erin Smith, Selah, sr.

Coach of the year: Darci Dekker, East Valley.

Sportsmanship: Quincy.

First team

Veronica Sanchez, Selah, sr.; Kaitlin Quirk, Ellensburg, jr.; Adriana Ramos, Grandview, jr.; Payton Parrish, Grandview, fr.; Marci Yates, East Valley, sr.; Annie Martinez, East Valley, sr., Taylor Flores, Prosser, jr.

Second team

Kendra DeHoog, Ephrata, so.; Jamie Alliston, Selah, sr.; Koni Larimer, Ellensburg, sr.; Bailey Carlson, Ellensburg, sr.; Kylee Mollette, Othello, sr.; Dani Najera, East Valley, sr.; Gabby Sauve, Grandview, jr.; A.J. Yarlott, Wapato, sr.

Honorable mention

Natalie Fickes, Selah, jr.; Samantha Harris, Selah, sr.; Kim Kelly, Ellensburg, sr.; Eden Garza, Othello, sr.; Mary Asker, Ephrata, jr.; Taylor Kunkel, Quincy, sr.; Haley Samsne, Grandview, jr.; Tamara Jones, Prosser, jr.; Hayley Strom, Wapato, sr.

SCAC West

MVP: Janae Klarich, Granger.

Coach of the year: Cathy Klarich, Granger.

First team

Christina Slack, Zillah, sr.; Janae Klarich, Granger, sr.; Sam Zapien, Granger, sr.; Monique Scherf, Goldendale, sr.; Emily Carpenter, Granger, sr.; Kayla Curtsinger, Naches Valley, jr.; Justine Benner, Naches Valley, so.; Sadie Shattuck, Goldendale, jr.

Second team

Alisi Uasike, Zillah, jr.; Whitney Winters, Zillah, so.; Italia Mengarelli, Granger, jr.; Hailey Bator, Cle Elum, sr.; Jessica Farris, Naches Valley, jr.; Alaina Evans, Naches Valley, sr.; Lexi Cameron, Goldendale, so.

Honorable mention

Lauren Messmore, Zillah, sr.; Lyndsay Oswalt, Granger, fr.; Ashlee Reddout, Granger, so.; Jordan Preston, Highland, sr.; Molly Ballard, Cle Elum, sr.; Haley Hoffman, Goldendale, so.

Mid-Valley 2B

MVP: Jenessa McElrath, La Salle.

Coach of the year: Lori Smith, Lyle-Wishram.

Sportsmanship: Lyle-Wishram.

All-opponent team

La Salle: Jenessa McElrath, Rachel Gasseling, Tori Gonzalez, Whitney Anderson. Riverside Christian: Emily Shepard, Olivia Hargrave, Amanda Cunnington, Meagan Hopp. Lyle-Wishram: Karlee Roth, Brianna Brock. White Swan: Shelby Clark, Jessica Sheppard.

North Central 2B

MVP: Kayvonne Vaver, Kittitas.

Coach of the year: Brandon Ambrose, Kittitas.

Sportsmanship: Soap Lake.

First team

Kayvonne Vaver, Kittitas; Samantha Littrell, Waterville; Ali Kilgore, Kittitas; Danyelle Cavadini, Bridgeport; Ari Watson, Liberty Bell; Libby Anderson, Liberty Bell; Jordyn Paul, Kittitas; Natalie Gibb, Kittitas.

Second team

Arely Garza, Bridgeport; Alyssa Moomaw, Waterville; Amber Reggiatore, Liberty Bell; Kayla McKinney, Oroville; Hailey Ellsworth, Manson; Brittany Ellsworth, Soap Lake.

Honorable mention

Geovanna Valle, Manson; Cristy Gonzalez, Bridgeport; Samantha Marthini, Soap Lake; Chloe Pietrandrea, Waterville; Shelby Molinar, Waterville; Austianna Quick, Oroville.

North Central 1B

MVP: Ksenja Fredere, Wilson Creek.

Coach of the year: Mike Ottis, Wilson Creek. Sportsmanship: Easton, Columbia Basin.

Thorp: Morgan Lowery (1st team), Kelsey Hutchinson (1st team). Easton: Amanda Fitzgerald (1st team).

CROSS COUNTRY

CBBN 4A

Boys

Runner of the year: Timothy Cummings, Eisenhower, jr. Coach of the year: Phil English, Eisenhower.

Girls

Runner of the year: Berenice Penaloza, Eisenhower, jr. Coach of the year: Lauri Sax, Richland.

CBBN 3A

Boys

Runner of the year: Zach Martin, Hanford, sr. Coach of the year: Keith Jolley, Hanford.

Girls

Runner of the year: Erin Hegarty, Hanford, jr. Coach of the year: Bob Allan, West Valley.

CWAC

Boys

Runner of the year: Jeffrey Ott, Ellensburg, so. Coach of the year: Rick Becker, Selah. Sportsmanship: Othello.

Girls

Runner of the year: Danielle Friend, Ephrata, jr. Coach of the year: Shelley Yenney, Ephrata. Sportsmanship: Othello.

SCAC

Boys coach of the year: Ben Orth, Royal. Girls coach of the year: Thad O’Dell, Cle Elum.

GIRLS SWIMMING

CBBN

Swimmer of the year — 4A: Samantha Bennett, Wenatchee, sr. 3A: Kristen Bennett, Hanford, jr. Diver of the year — 4A: Katie Smoot, Southridge, sr. 3A: Robyn Sundlee, West Valley, so. Coach of the year — 4A: Jason Hart, Southridge, and Sarah Garrett, Kamiakin. 3A: Kathy Piper, Hanford.

2A-1A League

Swimmer of the year: Mackenzie Gant, Prosser, jr. Coach of the year: Rhonda Baker, Prosser.

Defensive drive

It’s no secret: Central’s defense is really, really good//

If it’s not rocket science, many among the football coaching fraternity approach it as such.

How to stop the other guy — or defense, as it’s known — has long been studied and schemed, discussed and debated. During summer months defensive gurus huddle in remote areas, and while the season’s in session office and video lights burn late into the night.

From such think tanks have come the nickel back, cover 2 and the infamous prevent defense, which most deride as preventing nothing except winning.

At Central Washington this season, coaches Blaine Bennett, Joe Lorig and others might have found the secret: Identify and collect really good players, find the positions at which they’re most effective, and then turn ’em loose.

It’s not that simple, of course. But the way the Wildcats have been locking down opponents this season, it seems that obvious.

No team in Division II has allowed fewer yards rushing — 55.1 per game. More importantly, none has allowed fewer points — 11.2 per game.

“Defense wins championships,” an ex-CWU star said recently, which wouldn’t be a surprise had the statement not come from Mike Reilly. Great quarterbacks, it seems, also appreciate the value of a stop.

It’s not like Central’s 2008 defense was bad — it averaged 89.9 rushing yards and 23.9 points. But this one, a seven-senior starting unit with most of the same players, is so much better.

Among the best has been Buddy Wood.

“The overall goal of our coaches,” Wood said, “has been to get our best defensive players out on the field. And this year we’ve gotten a couple of new guys, who obviously have been really good.”

Primarily meaning Prince Hall, who at 6-feet, 264 pounds has been mobile enough to wreak havoc from middle linebacker. Wood, Hall and Adam Bighill have combined with a front four of Andrew Oney, Marcus Ford, Antonio Hartwell and Eugene Germany to not only stuff running games, but either effectively rush the passer or drop back in coverage where corners Anthony Stewart and Courtney Smith and safeties Jerome Williams and Taylor Breitzman roam.

And not to be overlooked in that regard have been West Valley’s Taylor Tanasse, who’s seen significant time at defensive end, and East Valley’s Matt Snell, who this year moved from offense to defense and has blossomed first as a replacement for the injured Bighill, and later as an addition to the “30 package,” which features three down linemen and four linebackers.

“He’s been awesome,” said Wood, one of Snell’s roommates. “We used to joke that even when he was a receiver, Matt had that linebacker’s mentality. He was always looking to crack someone.”

Bennett has sung Snell’s praises since spring workouts, and more recently cited Ford and Williams as having been pleasant surprises.

“Marcus has played better than I thought he was going to play,” Bennett said of the 6-2, 245-pound senior tackle from Sacramento, Calif. “He’s an active guy who’s hard to block, and he’s got a great motor. And Jerome is having a phenomenal senior season, not just on defense but on our special teams. He’s made some genuinely huge plays for us.”

Perhaps foremost among them being a 100-yard interception return that helped the Wildcats surmount a 21-0 halftime deficit for a 23-21 win over Western Oregon in the Battle In Seattle.

“Any time you have change, it takes time to adapt,” said Lorig, who came with Bennett to Central in 2008 as defensive coordinator, “and these kids have been through a lot of change. So it’s been mostly a matter of guys being in the system for a year, and also adding a couple of pieces to the puzzle like Prince Hall and Eugene Germany. Plus we’ve stayed surprisingly healthy.”

A 6-3, 276-pound junior who redshirted last year after transferring from Mount San Antonio College in Walnut, Calif., Germany has been a front line mainstay. His block of a 23-yard, third-quarter field goal attempt was instrumental in CWU’s 13-10 win at Minnesota-Duluth.

But as big as that win was, it pales in importance to Saturday’s home playoff game with Northwest Missouri State.

A win will mean Central’s first D-II semifinal berth in a game that might also be played in Tomlinson Stadium. And the Bearcats figure to provide this now-legendary defense its toughest challenge to date.

“We have to have our best week,” Wood said, “getting good reads off their formations, reading the eyes out of the backfield and seeing the right keys. It’s a good week to get back to the basics.

“We have to be 100 percent. We’ve got to be perfect.”

Which might be a stretch since no football team, offensively or defensively, has been known to replicate Don Larsen’s 1956 World Series gem.

On the other hand, this defense has been close.

Very close.

Phillips–Thankful to survive my dumb decision

A few days before Thanksgiving some 25 years ago, I did what may be one of the dumbest things I have ever done. At the time I didn’t think it was all that stupid, but a short time after and over the years since, I have come to realize I made a very poor decision that could have cost me my life.

I had been invited to go on a bird hunt near Othello with some business associates. My host had worked out a deal with some waterfowl guides to take us goose hunting one day and duck hunting the second day. He also wanted to try some pheasant hunting, and knowing I had a yellow Lab, asked if I would bring him along.

I was happy to oblige.

Zeb was my first yellow Lab. While not the greatest hunter in the world, he was a very competent pheasant dog that loved to retrieve. At the time of the hunt though, he had very little experience retrieving ducks in decoys.

We hunted pheasants the first afternoon, with some success. Zeb did fine. Then on the second day, we hunted geese from ground blinds. Zeb was not needed on this hunt and I left him in the rig. He hated every minute of it, but because the hunt was over fairly quickly, he only had to stay in the truck for a couple of hours.

On the third day we were taken to a large lake to hunt ducks. Our blind was set up high on the canyon wall above the decoys, and the ducks that fell in the water just drifted down lake, where they would be picked up at the end of the hunt. So a dog wasn’t really needed.

As we sat in the blind and shot duck after duck, I could hear Zeb back at the rig howling and barking and making quite a ruckus. He was tired of sitting in the truck while we were out having fun.

Finally, when there was a break in the action, I asked the guide if I could maybe go grab Zeb and take him down lake to start retrieving some of the ducks that had floated down there.

“Sure,” the guide said.

My guess is he figured all the birds Zeb and I could get would be fewer for him to retrieve. He was also probably as tired as I was of hearing Zeb howling to get out.

What I didn’t know was at the other end of the lake there were also several dozen decoys set out, and because the lake was so deep, the faux birds were anchored in place with large cement blocks.

Now remember, Zeb was a duck retrieving neophyte. So, when I sent him out to retrieve the first duck I saw floating in the lake, he immediately went out and grabbed a decoy. Which normally wouldn’t have been a problem, but the decoys were held with 30 feet of cord, tied to a huge weight — a weight too heavy for Zeb to pull.

I can’t remember exactly what happened next, whether Zeb grabbed and dropped a couple of decoys, but he was bound and determined to bring something back to me and he couldn’t see the dead duck. It probably didn’t help that I was hollering at him to come, and drop and fetch. I know he was in the water for a long time.

The other factor in all of this was the temperature. It was cold and getting colder. I don’t recall the exact temperature, but I do know it was well below freezing, and the water must have been in the mid-30s.

Zeb was tiring, trying to retrieve a decoy held fast by the cement block, and in cold water for a long period of time.

It was just about then I saw he was starting to struggle. His back end was submerged at an unusual angle, and he was all of sudden having to fight just to stay above water. Somehow Zeb had gotten his back legs tangled in the decoy cord and was in serious trouble.

Here’s when I made the really dumb move. With no one around to help me if I got into trouble, I stripped to my longjohns and went in to try to save him.

I’ve been in and around water all my life, and have always been a fairly strong swimmer, but when I hit that cold water I could hardly move. My breath was immediately gone, a sensation that, until you experience it, you have know idea what it is like. And very quickly I was losing the feeling in my arms and legs.

I somehow got to Zeb, who seeing me in the water near him, finally let go of the decoy. I got his legs free of the rope, but was basically useless beyond that. From there on, Zeb pretty much saved me. I grabbed his collar and he, with not much assistance from me, swam us to shore.

We crawled out of the water, I tore off my wet skivvies, climbed into my dry clothes, and headed for the truck to fire up the heater.

Later that evening I got the uncontrollable shakes as I relived the whole episode in my mind. I had two little boys and a wife at home depending on me, and while it would have been sad to lose our dog, in retrospect, it was definitely not worth risking my life to save him.

Besides the horrible case of walking pneumonia I contracted, spending Thanksgiving in bed, I was none the worse for wear from my sub-freezing, dog-saving dip. I know I came out of the deal a tiny bit smarter. I decided I would never risk my life for a dog’s life again. Luckily I have never again been faced with that decision.

Zeb lived a long and happy life and we shared many good hunts together, including a number of duck hunts where he retrieved more dead birds than decoys.

I stayed on shore.

• Rob Phillips is a freelance outdoor writer and partner in the advertising firm of Smith, Phillips & DiPietro. He can be reached at rwphillips@spdadvertising.com.

« Previous Page — Next Page »