BREAKING NEWS :

Western Washington University men’s basketball point guard Morris Anderson received honorable mention recognition on The Sporting News 2009-10 Preseason NCAA Division II All-America Team.
A 6-foot-3 senior from Federal Way High School, Anderson returns from last year’s 21-6 squad that won the school’s first outright Great Northwest Athletic Conference title and reached the West Regional of the NCAA Division II National Tournament.
Anderson was spectacular at times last season, averaging 12.6 points, 6.1 assists and 5.4 rebounds while earning GNAC Newcomer of the Year and first-team all-star honors.
“He’s certainly an outstanding player, a multi-faceted, very complete player,” Western coach Brad Jackson said of Anderson. “He makes people around him play better.”
In 2008-09, Anderson ranked ninth nationally in steals and No.12 in assists.  He led the GNAC in steals (2.7 avg.) and was second in assists with the third highest average in school history.
Anderson scored a team season-best 30 points in an 83-68 win at Northwest Nazarene.  He had 13 assists versus Northwest, the most by a Viking player since 1989.
Anderson nearly had triple-doubles in two of Western’s final three regular-season games.  He had 15 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists in an 85-68 win over Central Washington; and 11 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds in a 76-68 victory at Montana State Billings.
Prior to arriving at Western, Anderson sat out the 2007-08 season after earning first-team Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges Western Division all-star honors as a sophomore at Highline CC.  He helped the Thunderbirds to a 21-9 record, the region co-championship and quarterfinals at the NWAACC tournament, losing to eventual champion Clackamas CC in double overtime, 85-84.  As a freshman at HCC, Anderson played on a 23-7 squad that won the NWAACC championship.

The Federal Way Eagles made a huge statement Friday night with a 24-14 win over the Tahoma Bears at Federal Way Memorial Stadium. The victory evens the Eagles’ record in the South Puget Sound League North Division to 2-2 and leaves them in essentially a three-way tie for fifth place in the eight-team league.This season, the top-three finishers in the North Division earn automatic playoff berths, while the fourth-place team will have to play a pigtail game against the fifth-place finisher from the Narrows League.

Without a collapse of epic proportions, it looks like the third-ranked Auburn Trojans are going to win the SPSL North title. Auburn is the only unbeaten team at 5-0 in the division and already beaten Kentwood and Kentridge, who are tied for second in the division at 3-1. The Trojans also have a win over Federal Way. They have three remaining games in the SPSL North against Kentlake, Tahoma and Auburn Riverside.

The two one-loss teams, Kentridge and Kentwood, still have a lot of work to do. Kentridge has remaining games against Tahoma, Auburn Riverside, Kentwood and Kent-Meridian and Kentwood plays TJ, Federal Way, Kentridge and Kentlake.

Federal Way looks like the best of the bunch with two losses. The Eagles have already beaten Tahoma (3-2) and Kentlake (2-2) and take on Auburn Riverside (2-2) Friday. Federal Way also has remaining games against Kentwood and winless Kent-Meridian and Jefferson. If the Eagles win out, which is not too big of a stretch, they are guaranteed one of the three automatic berths into the postseason.

There are also plenty of playoff scenarios in the SPSL South Division. Curtis looks like the cream of the crop at 5-0, followed by Graham-Kapowsin (4-1) and Bethel (3-1). But after those three teams, it’s anyone’s game. And in the South this season, the top-four teams advance into the postseason. Decatur (2-3) sits one loss back of Spanaway Lake (3-2) and Rogers (2-2) for the fourth playoff berth.

The Gators have Rogers, Graham-Kapowsin and Beamer (1-3) still left on their schedule. If the Gators can somehow win all three of those games, they would have a great shot at earning the school’s second-ever postseason berth. Beamer’s road into the playoffs is a little tougher. The Titans need to sweep their remaining four games to have a legitimate shot at the playoffs. Beamer takes on Emerald Ridge (0-4), Bethel (3-1), Graham-Kapowsin (4-1) and Decatur (2-3).

Here is the latest on the “situation” surrounding the Federal Way High School boys basketball program. It seems like the district and Federal Way High School officials think they did nothing wrong, but just want to make sure everything is on the up and up by commissioning an independent investigation. I’m sure there will be more to come, but this is the latest:

By CASEY OLSON

sports@fedwaymirror.com

The Federal Way school district has retained a lawyer to complete an independent investigation into whether the Federal Way High School boys basketball team used an academically ineligible player during their run to the 2009 Class 4A state championship.
The investigation arose after current senior J.T. Koontz transferred from Federal Way to Decatur High School during the summer break and Gator head coach Kevin Olson reviewed his transcripts. Olson found that he failed to meet the district’s requirements in two classes during the second semester of the 2008-09 school year, according to Diane Turner, the school district’s chief communications officer.
In the Federal Way school district, student-athletes are not allowed to have a D in any classes to be academically eligible to play sports. It’s one of the highest grade-point average requirements in the state, according to Turner.
Those failing grades were changed earlier in the school year after Federal Way High School athletic director Miguel Perez spoke with the teachers involved in the situation, Turner said. Periodic grade checks also revealed that Koontz had high enough grades during the basketball season to be eligible, Turner said.
Both of the Federal Way teachers have stated that they just forgot to submit grade forms with the corrected information on them after Koontz completed the makeup work. According to Turner, the corrected versions have since been submitted and Koontz’ transcript has passing grades in those two classes.
“He had some failing grades, however he had made arrangements to make assignments up, which he did,” she said. “Grades are changed all the time. Students make up work and the teachers forget to change them. It’s a common occurrence with all students.”
Just to make sure all the procedures were followed, the Federal Way school district is paying for an independent investigation to look at the findings made by Perez, Turner said.
According to district athletic liaison Greg Flynn, independent assessor Jeff Ganson, a lawyer from the Seattle firm Dionne & Rorick, has been retained by the school district to look into the situation.
“He’s worked for the school district before,” Flynn said. “I imagine he’s going to sit down and figure out what happened.”
It’s still up in the air whether Ganson’s investigation will be completed before a meeting of the South Puget Sound League athletic directors, which is scheduled for Oct. 15 in Sumner.
But Perez will be on hand at the meeting to present his findings regarding the situation to the other athletic directors around the 28-school league.
“We are utilizing the services or an independent observer to take a look at the athletic director of Federal Way’s report,” Turner said. “We will make a determination from there. We take this very seriously and want to determine what happened. We want to clear the air and be transparent.”

Federal Way 19-year-old J.R. Celski is scheduled to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Seattle Mariners game tonight (Wednesday, Sept. 30) at Safeco Field. The Mariners are taking on the Oakland A’s at 7:05 p.m.

Celski recently qualified for a spot on the United States Winter Olympic Team as a short track speedskater after finishing second at the U.S. Short Track Speedskating Championships in Marquette, Mich. earlier this month. Celski earned enough points to make the U.S. team after winning the 1,500-meter final on Sept. 9. But he suffered a setback later in the competition.

During semifinals of the 500 meters on Sept. 12, Celski fell and hit the boards coming out of a turn and bounced off. The first few inches of his right skate blade sliced into his left leg, above his knee, spilling blood on the ice. But prospects look very good for Celski skating at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, B.C.

“J.R. is on the mends and his recovery process is going well,” said Sue Celski, J.R.’s mother. “We are so excited for and proud of J.R. His dream is still alive and that in itself is quite the story. He’s almost there and the fire within is even stronger.”

Federal Way High School senior guard Isiah Umipig has verbally committed to play basketball next year at Cal-State Fullerton University, according to Eagle head coach Jerome Collins.

The 6-foot guard played a huge role during Federal Way’s run to the Class 4A state championship last March. Umipig led all scorers during the Eagles’ win over the Garfield Bulldogs in the title game inside the Tacoma Dome, finishing with 19 points on 5-of-9 shooting. During the state tournament, Umipig averaged 8.5 points a game.

Umipig played only 13 games during the regular season last year, after suffering an ankle injury during the offseason. According to Collins, Umipig was also being recruited by Portland State, Portland, Long Beach State and Seattle University. Umipig took his official recruiting visit to Fullerton two weeks ago. He will officially sign his national letter of intent on Nov. 11.

“They did a good job recruiting him,” Collins said. “It’s a good fit for him. He loved the staff and loved the players.”

Cal-State Fullerton finished 15-17 last year and plays in the Big West Conference.

There will be more to come on Umipig’s committment to Fullerton in Saturday’s edition of the Mirror.

Collins also indicated that 6-foot-7 senior Cole Dickerson is also pretty close to making a college commitment. Dickerson will choose between several schools, including the University of San Francisco (where he will be visiting starting Thursday), Portland State, Pacific, Portland, Idaho, Eastern Washington and Washington State.

Dickerson was the most consistent player for Federal Way all season long last year. The forward led the Eagles in scoring at 17.5 points a game. He finished in double figures in 28 of Federal Way’s 30 games. Dickerson also led the Eagles in rebounding at 8.21 a game and blocked 56 shots during the regular season. He also shot 66 percent from the field (166 for 253). During Federal Way’s postseason run, Dickerson was named to the Class 4A state All-Tournament Team after averaging 17 points in their four victories in Tacoma.

Dickerson finished with 28 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots during the Eagles’ quarterfinal win over Walla Walla and 18 points in the title-game win over Garfield.

Very sad news out of the Spokane Valley. 17-year-old Andrew Swank died late Sunday night after suffering a head injury during a football game Friday night. Here is the Associated Press’ story about Valley Christian School postponing its football game Friday:

The Associated Press
SPOKANE, Wash. — Valley Christian School postponed its football game this week after one of its players died following a blow to the head in a Friday night game.

Andrew Swank, 17, died late Sunday following a head injury suffered when he was blocked and hit the ground during an eight-man football game on the field of defending state champion LaCrosse-Washtucna on Friday.

“He was just a great kid,” said coach Jim Puryear, who, with his assistant Mike Heden, traveled to Kahlotus, Wash., to console the opposing player who delivered the block. “It was a fluke thing.”

He said they wanted the opposing player to know it was “nobody’s fault,” Puryear said.

The Panthers have postponed this week’s scheduled game against St. John-Endicott. Players met Monday afternoon to discuss the future of their season, athletic director Chad Kimberley said.

“We’ll not make anyone do what they don’t want to do,” Puryear said. “If they want to go on we’ll keep coaching.”

Players wore their jerseys to school Monday, and a small memorial had been set up in the foyer.

Coaches said the fatal play came near the end of the first half, close to their sideline. Swank was blocked and fell awkwardly, his head whipping back and striking the ground.

He was taken first to Ritzville, then airlifted to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, where he underwent surgery to alleviate bleeding and swelling.

Don and Patti Swank, of Hauser Lake, said in a statement that they’ll donate their son’s organs “so others’ lives can be saved.”

Andrew Swank is also survived by four sisters and three brothers.

Valley Christian fielded its first football team in 2007. Swank, then a freshman, was on the initial roster. He played wing back on offense and defensive back.

Valley Christian dropped to eight-man football this year and was playing its third game of the season. LaCrosse-Washtucna coach Jeff Nelson, whose team has won five state B-8 titles in the past seven years, expressed his sorrow over the death.

“Right now my concern is for their family, their school and my kids,” he said.

This spring, state lawmakers imposed new regulations on youth football programs. The act requires adoption of policies for the management of concussion and head injuries and liability insurance for schools and youth organizations.

Puryear said he completed the first clinic coaches are required to take educating them on the issue. He said Valley Christian spent extra money for quality helmets.

According to past research by The Seattle Times, Swank is the 12th high school player in the state to die of a football injury since 1936. The most recent was Seatac player DeShawn Smith five years ago.

—

Information from: The Spokesman-Review, http://www.spokesman.com

During the pregame show for the Seattle Mariners on Sunday, color analyst Mike Blowers predicted that former Woodinville High School star Matt Tuiasosopo would hit his first Major League home run against the Toronto Blue Jays. Blowers went even further, saying that Tui would hit the pitch into the second deck, in his second at bat of the game, on a 3-1 count and off a fastball.

Here is a link to ESPN 710’s Shannon Drayer’s blog, which has the audio of Blowers’ prediction, as well as the audio of Dave Niehaus and Rick Rizzs calling the Tuiasosopo home run. It’s priceless and brings me back to the days when the Mariners were actually contenders.

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=374&sid=218287

Lou and Diane Tice’s 5-year-old Assessment, winner of three stakes including the $300,000 Longacres Mile, was voted Emerald Downs Horse of the Meeting for the 91-day live racing season that concluded Sunday.

In winning the 74th running of the track’s marquee event, Assessment overcame the dreaded No. 12 post-position and out-finished the California millionaire, Awesome Gem, in a fast 1:33 2/5 in what was voted the 2009 Race of the Meeting. Trained by Howard Belvoir—conditioning his second successive Horse of the Meeting—Assessment compiled a 4-3-0 record in seven starts with earnings of $257,000. Ridden regularly by Gallyn Mitchell, the Kentucky-bred by Jump Start also captured the Budweiser-Emerald and Mt. Rainier Handicaps to take honors as Top Older Horse.

Voting on the 2009 season awards were a panel of media members, track officials and fans participating via email.

Roy and Ellie Schaefer’s brilliantly fast 4-year-old Atta Boy Roy was voted Top Washington-bred and Top Sprinter. The son of Tribunal broke the track and state record for six furlongs with a 1:07 clocking in the Chinook Pass Sprint on Washington Cup Day, and the colt also topped Assessment in the Governor’s Handicap at 6-½ furlongs. In The Mile, Atta Boy Roy set the fastest fractions in the history of the race—:21 4/5, 44,1:07 3/5—before finishing a close fifth to Assessment, despite losing a shoe on the backstretch.

Jon Sather’s Ladyledue was voted Top 3-Year-Old Filly after a brilliant campaign that saw her win four stakes including romps in the one-mile John and Kitty Fletcher Stakes and Irish Day Handicap. Trained by Bonnie Jenne, the Washington-bred by Slewdledo has won six stakes and two division titles at Emerald Downs—Top Juvenile Filly in 2008 and Top 3-Year-old Filly in 2009.

Trainer Doris Harwood had another exceptional campaign—tying her own track record with 12 stakes wins and establishing new marks with 21 2-year-old wins and $931,916 in earnings. Harwood, voted Top Training Achievement, conditioned Top 3-Year-Old Winning Machine, Top Older Filly or Mare Elusive Horizon and Top Juvenile Filly Knight Raider.

Fleur De Lis Stables’ Winning Machine won or placed in four stakes including a tenacious head victory in the Emerald Derby, and the game gelding did Emerald Downs proud with a victory in Sunday’s $275,000 British Columbia Derby at Hastings Racecourse. Northwest Farms’ Elusive Horizon, meanwhile, remained unbeaten around two turns with victories in the King County Handicap, Boeing Handicap (dead-heat with Holy Nova) and Emerald Distaff.

In the 2-year-old ranks, One Horse Will Do Corp. and John Holmes’ Hollywood Harbor and Fab Five Farm’s Knight Raider dominated their respective ranks and were voted Top Juvenile Male and Top Juvenile Filly. Trained by Chris Stenslie, Hollywood Harbor won three stakes by combined 12-¾ lengths while the Harwood-trained Knight Raider won three stakes by an aggregate 23-½ lengths.

Ricky Frazier dominated the jockey ranks winning 155 races—the second highest total in track history—and 11 stakes races. For the 45-year-old Arkansan, it was his fourth title in the last six years, a span in which he has won 732 races while no other rider has won 500. In the training ranks, business as usual as Tim McCanna won 63 races to capture his ninth crown in the track’s 14-year history by edging Harwood, who finished with a career-high 59 wins.

In the owners’ ranks, Keith Swagerty’s Swag Stables established a single-season record with 27 wins—including two stakes wins with homebred No Flies On Doodles. Cassie Papineau, a 22-year-old Kennewick native, rode 70 winners and shattered the single-season record by an apprentice jockey.

Top Claiming Horse was an extremely tough category as two horses won six races and another finished with five wins. Panatela, a 4-year-old Washington-bred filly by Katowice, got the nod following a campaign that saw her compile a 6-2-0 record from nine starts while racing in three different barns.

Emerald Downs’ 2009 season honors:
Award     Winner
Horse of the Meeting     Assessment (Ky)
Top WA-bred     Atta Boy Roy (Wash)
Top Older Horse     Assessment (Ky)
Top Older Filly or Mare     Elusive Horizon (Ky)
Top 3-year-old Male     Winning Machine (Ky)
Top 3-year-old Filly     Ladyledue (Wash)
Top Sprinter     Atta Boy Roy (Wash)
Top Claimer     Panatela (Wash)
Top Juvenile Male Hollywood Harbor (Wash)
Top Juvenile Filly     Knight Raider (Wash)
Race of the Meeting     The 74th Longacres Mile
Top Training Achievement     Doris Harwood
Top Riding Achievement     Ricky Frazier
Durkan Award     Charles Essex
Lindy Award Jose Zunino
Leading Rider     Ricky Frazier (155)
Leading Trainer     Tim McCanna (63)
Leading Owner     Swag Stables (27*)
Leading Apprentice     Cassie Papineau (70*)
*Track Record

I wrote a story for Saturday’s edition of the Mirror about Beamer’s 6-foot-8 Kevin Davis being cleared to play basketball during his fifth year of high school by the West Central District.

http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/fwm/sports/61364577.html

Davis was a first-team, All-SPSL South selection a season ago after leading the Titans to their first-ever berth into the state basketball tournament. Davis averaged 16.3 points, 15. 3 rebounds and 4.1 blocks a game. The return of Davis makes Beamer one of the favorites in the SPSL and the state.

Davis is also the latest in a long line of high-profile basketball players from the Federal Way school district to ask and be granted a fifth year of eligibility. Decatur rode fifth-year senior Marcus Tibbs last year to the SPSL South Division title and a third straight trip to the Class 4A State Boys Basketball Tournament.

According to the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) handbook, a hardship exists only when some unique circumstances concerning the student’s physical or emotional status exist and only when such circumstances are not the result of acts or actions by the student or family unit. Usual maturation problems or family situations that do not cause severe and abnormal emotional problems and academic or athletic deficiencies in a school’s curriculum or extracurricular activities do not constitute a hardship.

What is your opinion on the proliferation of fifth-year seniors, especially in Federal Way? If they have a legitimate hardship in their lives, should they be given another year of eligibility? Or do you think every kid goes through hard times and they should just be allowed to compete in sports through their actual senior year of high school?

The Seattle Sounders FC will again host Major League Soccer’s opening game in 2010. The Sounders FC will face Philadelphia Union on March 25 on the Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field. The match will be nationally televised by ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
“Being selected to participate in the first match of the season is a testament to the passion and energy of our fans,” said Sounders FC Majority Owner Joe Roth. “They have created an exciting atmosphere that is respected by coaches and players throughout the league.”
Philadelphia will be making its debut as the 16th team in MLS. Seattle joined the league this season, and is on pace to break the regular season attendance record. All 14 home matches to date have been sold out.
In First Kick 2009, the Sounders FC hosted the New York Red Bulls on March 19, attracting a capacity crowd of 32,523. Seattle won, 3-0.
The complete MLS schedule will be released in February, 2010. Each team will play 30 games, facing each team twice (home and away).
Twelve other teams will begin play their 2010 season on March 27. It was also announced that Real Salt Lake will host Seattle in its home opener on April 10 at Rio Tinto Stadium.