Braves RavesBy Amylynn RichardsBOYS’ BASKETBALLThe boys took on 3A League Sedro Woolley, which – thanks to the Braves, now have four losses this season. The Cubs are 2-4 overall, and 1-3 in their league. The Braves and Cubs were equally matched the first quarter, and then the Braves pulled away to lead entire game, with a half-time score of 39-30, and final score 63-44.“The entire team played well defensively,” said Coach Scott Novak, “especially Garrett Wilbur and Kyle McKnight.”Team highlights: Landy James, 18 points; Sten Mejlaender, 13 points; Spencer Novak, 12 points; Mike Wilbur, 7 assists.The Braves are 4-2 overall and 2-0 in league.The boys will play next on Tuesday, Jan. 4 at Mount Vernon Christian, starting at 7:30 p.m.WRESTLINGThe co-ed wrestling team competed at the Mount Baker invitational on Tuesday, Dec. 21.Sixteen teams from all leagues competed; four of the teams from the larger schools sent their junior varsity teams.“There were 16 wrestlers in most of the weight brackets,” said Coach Mike Compton. In smaller leagues such as the Northwest 1A/2B league, it is unusual to not have at least one win by forfeit, which means the other team does not have an athlete to compete in that weight class.La Conner finished 14th, and brought home third place in the 285 lbs. division, thanks to junior Cameron Wischhusen. Brandon Drye finished in fifth place in the 215 lb. class; two athletes place seventh: Ben Harper at 119 lbs; and Austin Wischhusen at 189 lbs.; and Amber Drye won her match by pin in the 171 lb. class.Mike Compton reports, “It was a pretty tough tournament and we had a few wrestlers under the weather, so we’re hoping that the little break at Christmas will see them come back strong.The Braves have a home match tomorrow at 3 p.m. in the old gym against Mount Vernon High school and on Tuesday, Jan. 4 at 6 p.m. at home against Burlington Edison.GIRLS’ BASKETBALLThe girls took a break from competition over the school vacation, but will go to Mount Vernon Christian on Tuesday, Jan. 4 to play the Hurricanes at 6 p.m. On Thursday, Jan. 6, the sophomore team will play Lummi at home at 7 p.m.Clear your calendar for the big game at home on Friday, Jan. 7 as La Conner takes on the Darrington Loggers at 6 p.m. Dinner is covered, if you buy supper at the concession stand.ELEMENTARY BASKETBALLThe schedules and rosters for the 3 on 3 elementary league will come home via backpack the first week of January.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Weekly La Conner High Sports capsule, Dec. 29, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
In the December 22, 2010 issue
Photo by Bill Stokes
In the heart of La Conner, Gilkey Square at the waterfront end of Morris Street is aglow in lights that Teresa and Rick Ward put up. Merry Christmas.
A large gift for La Conner students
School Counselor Lori Buher shares the good news: The La Conner Community Scholarship Foundation, which provides college money for local high school graduates, received a gift of more than $300,000 from Dorothy Furlong, who died in 2008. Dorothy, who graduated from La Conner High school in 1932, was a descendant of John and Bessie Cornelius who settled on Pleasant Ridge in 1868.
Food Bank has a name
La Conner writer Mary Evitt tells us about the food bank run by volunteers each Monday behind the Methodist Church is now officially called the La Conner Sunrise Food Bank. It was named for Kevin Sunrise who for five years quietly distributed food to people who needed it from his home on Myrtle Street until he and his wife Amy Han had to shut shut down their unofficial food bank in June. La Conner United Methodist Church Pastor George Lockwood helped them find the volunteers to take over.
From the Police Blotter:
7:02 p.m.: Harassment – A caller reported that a person he has a no contact order with had driven past him and honked the horn, 900 block Maple Ave., La Conner. The caller was concerned this might be a violation of the court order. The deputy checked; no violation. (Yes, this really happened here!)
How do you use a parking lot puddle?
You dig it up and plant a garden! Writer Amylynn Richards has the story about a plan in La Conner School District to solve a drainage problem beautifully -- with a rain garden. Runoff that pools in an area of the parking lot near the Middle School will water native plants and give local students experience in eco-friendly landscaping.
Did you know that in Norway they don't put up Christmas trees until Dec. 23? Mickey Bambrick tells us all about it in her Nuggets from Norway.
And in Notes from Pull and be Damned, Jim Smith brings us "Jimmy Shimmy's favorite yuletide story."
Holiday Closures
Christmas Day, Saturday, Dec. 25
Banks: Most close early Christmas Eve, Friday, Dec. 24.
Buses: No service Saturday.
Schools: Closed until Jan. 3.
Town Hall: Closed Thursday, Friday and Monday.
County government offices: Closed Friday and Monday.
Post Office: Open regular hours Friday. No delivery Saturday.
Trash Pick Up: Regular schedule.
Pioneer Market: Close at 6 p.m. Friday, closed Saturday.
The paper costs 3 quarters in news stands all over town. You can also pick it up at the drug store, liquor store, gas station, book store and produce market. Better yet, subscribe and get it at home!
Weekly La Conner High Sports capsule, Dec. 22, 2010
Braves Raves
By Amylynn Richards
GIRLS’ BASKETBALLMountlake Terrace Cedar Park Christian School rolled into town in a large, black school bus, decorated with an air-brushed neon green lion head, and a mane of neon green “flames” down the length of the bus La Conner to take on the Braves on Tuesday, Dec. 14.The Lions may have won the school bus awesomeness competition hands down, but were not able to overpower the lady Braves on the basketball court; the Lady Braves won 58-19.Team highlights: Priscilla Ponce-Venegas scored 12 points for the Braves and provided 11 rebounds; Nikki Finley, 14 points; Kelly McClung, 8 points; Samie Miller scored 6 points; and Aubrey Stewart, 7 rebounds.“We had a bit of a slow start against Cedar Park,” Coach Marla Quesnell reports, “once we found our rhythm, both offense and defense started to roll. We are still learning about each other on the court some, but I have seen big steps in the last three games.”The girls played Seattle Lutheran at home, beating the Saints 77-40. High scorers for this game: Priscilla Ponce-Venegas, 26 points and 16 rebounds; Nikki Finley, 17 points; Kelly McClung, 6 points; Katie McKnight, 14 points; Aubrey Stewart,6 points and 12 rebounds; and Samie Miller, 6 points.Coach Quesnell was very happy with the teamwork on the court. “This was the most complete game we have had this season,” she said, “we shot a great percentage from the field, looked up in transition, and played the passing lanes very well.”BOYS’ BASKETBALLThe boys hosted the Mountlake Terrace Cedar Park Lions on Tuesday, Dec. 14. The Braves won the game, 63-16. Landy James was the team top-scorer, with 17 points; and Tyler Howlett earned 11. Coach Scott Novak was pleased with the teams “excellent overall effort.”The boys traveled to play Shoreline Christian on Friday, Dec. 17. The Braves won the game 56-43. Landy James was the top scorer, bringing in 19 points for the Braves; Spencer Novak earned 10 points, and DJ Carr brought home 9 points. “It was a tough game,” Coach Novak reports, “we had a great start. Our team was up 22-9 at one point. Everyone played well.” The Braves are now 2-0 in league play. Go, Braves!WRESTLINGFriday Harbor came to La Conner on Friday, Dec. 15 to win the wrestling match 36-30. “It was a good match,” Coach Mike Compton says, “at the end, our heavyweight Cameron Wischhusen had Willy Dunn from Friday Harbor on his back when time ran out. If there’d have been a few more seconds left, Cameron would have pinned him and the team would have won 36-33, it was that close.”Compton was very proud of how Cameron came back from a 12-3 deficit, taking Dunn down on his back with only 15 seconds left. “Although he lost 12-8 he won the hearts of our crowd,” Compton reports, “especially considering that his opponent outweighed him by about 65 lbs.”Ben Harper won by forfeit, and then won an exhibition match by pin. Hunter Johnson, Kevin Aske, and Dahlton Zavala also all won by pin. Compton notes that Wyatt Melton “showed great improvement and nearly pinned his opponent at the end of the 3rd round” but the match was won by Friday Harbor in a close 13-11 battle. Brandon Drye won by forfeit.Dahlton Zavala avenged himself of last week’s loss to Friday Harbor, besting Friday Harbor’s Maverick Blake, much to the delight of the crowd.On Saturday, Dec. 18, the team competed at the Paul Reiman Tournament at Mount Vernon high school. The Braves were the only 2B league school in attendance, and took last place against 2A, 3A, and 4A schools. The tournament winner was 4A league Marysville-Pilchuck, with 282.5 points. Burlington Edison took second, followed by Blaine, Mount Vernon, Stanwood, Anacortes, and then La Conner.Even so, three Braves competed in the Consolation Finals, and one Brave competed in Finals. Sophomore Dahlton Zavala (152 lbs.) earned second place. Zavala had the “best turnaround of the week” according to Coach Compton, and was the highest Brave finisher.Senior Brandon Drye (215 lbs.) won third place in his weight class. Freshman Brave Ben Harper (112 lbs.) is an athlete to keep an eye on as he moves up the ranks; he earned himself fourth place overall in his weight class.“The competition is tough for our little school,” Compton said, “but history in sports has shown that true competitors improve when they face stiff competition. Last season we fared nearly about the same at the Mt. Vernon Tournament, but at the end of the season, in our District Tournament, the La Conner Braves wrestled the best they’d ever done. We are expecting to see the same or better this year in Districts.”WRESTLER OF THE WEEKCoach Compton announced on Monday that this week’s wrestler of the week honor goes to Cameron Wischhusen (285 lbs.) because of his “tremendous effort in a come from behind near victory,” and ended Saturday’s tournament with two pins in a row for La Conner.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
In the December 15, 2010 issue
Last minute gift guideMall-weary shoppers can find excellent gifts in La Conner without busting the budget. We went hunting for cool presents that cost $25 or less and found lots of them in the local stores.
Walk down First Street and find stuff like colorful sterling silver rings set with Swarovski crystals for $20 at EarthenWorks Gallery.
Or for a stocking stuffer, how about the $9 grow-your-own boxer shorts from Skagit Valley Styles -- just put a little packet in water and watch it turn into underwear before your eyes.
Today's paper doesn't mention the rings or boxers, but it lists lots other wallet-friendly gift ideas.
Photo by Amylynn RichardsYes, there is a Turkey story in the paper this week. But this gang is not in it. The fowl fugitives of La Conner were photographed strutting in the middle of First Street on Monday, apparently unaware that the town is preparing to deploy yet another turkey capturing system. (For those who missed it last month, here is a link to journalist Amelia Templeton's La Conner Turkey story on National Public Radio.)
Meanwhile, writer Janna Gage tells about the other Turkey -- The Republic of Turkey, where she and three other La Conner residents recently spent 25 days. The information in Janna's story is fascinating and at times surprising. It's a must read today's paper.
In Notes from Pull-and-be-Damned, the irreverent Jim Smith offers his "Xmas Xplanation & the Continuing Alaskan Adventures of Sarah."
In Nuggets from Norway, local writer Mickey Bambrick, who lives in Norway part of the year, makes readers in both countries giggle over our cultural differences. This week we learn that Christmas decorations in Norway often resemble Valentines.
Richard at the gas station has written some new movie reviews -- not the long-winded kind, either. He cuts right to the chase and lets you know whether a DVD is worth renting.
The gas station is one of the places to pick up a paper. We're also at the drug store, liquor store, produce market, book store and in news stands all over town.
Weekly La Conner High Sports capsule, Dec. 15, 2010
Braves Raves
By Amylynn RichardsGIRLS’ BASKETBALL
The girls had a very busy four-game schedule last week, including a long ferry ride to Friday Harbor on Wednesday and an overnight stay in Lewis County on Friday to compete against Adna and Pe Ell.
The girls played a home game on Tuesday, Dec. 7 against Grace Academy. “We came out strong,” says Coach Marla Quesnell, and “got our first win.” Every team member got court time in the 49-29 game. `Team highlights: Priscilla Ponce-Venegas scored 16 points for the Braves, and Katie McKnight scored 14. Aubrey Stewart had 8 rebounds. It was “a great team win,” Quesnell said.
On, Wednesday, Dec. 3, the girls travelled to Friday Harbor. The Wolverines won 52-32. “We struggled against their press, and hard a hard time stopping one of their guards,” said Coach Quesnell. Team highlights: Priscilla Ponce-Venegas, 10 points and Katie McKnight scored 11 points.
Friday, Dec. 10, the girls travelled to Adna. Adna won the game 60-35. Quesnell said, “we missed lay-ins and free-throws early in the game, but broke their press successfully most of the game. We played them mush closer in the second half.” Team highlights: Samie Miller, 11 points; Priscilla Ponce-Venegas, 9 points and 9 rebounds; and Katie McKnight, 9 points.
The girls played their fourth game against Pe Ell on Saturday, Dec. 11. This was a “fun game,” said Coach Quesnell. The girls came back from a 17-2 low, to miss the win by three points, 59-56.
The girls man-pressed, causing Pe Ell to not be on top of their game in the second and third quarters.
When there were only four minutes left in the game, the Braves had a six point lead. “Priscilla fouled out, and we got a look at a 3-pointer in the last 3 seconds to tie, but it didn't go down,” Quesnell said, “We had a good road trip.”
Highlights: Samie Miller, 17 points; Nikki Finley, 14 points; Katie McKnight, 10 points; Priscilla Ponce-Venegas, 8 rebounds, and did an excellent job breaking down the defense.
WRESTLING
The Braves took on 4A League Stanwood on Tuesday, Dec. 7. Coach Mike Compton says, “Although we lost 60-18, our wrestlers battled tough.” Brave winners: Brandon Drye (215 lbs.) won by pin; Dahlton Zavala (152 lbs.) by pin; and Dan Biladeau (160 lbs.) by forfeit.
The team went to Friday Harbor on Friday, Dec. 10, to wrestle a total of eighteen matches among five high schools: La Conner; Friday Harbor; Muckleshoot; Chief Leschi; and Tacoma Baptist.
Brave winners were Ashley Norton, Hunter Johnson, Sid Lease, and Dalton Zavala.
The junior varsity team had a third meet last week, at the JV Tournament held at Burlington-Edison high school. “There were a few varsity wrestlers and many big school JV wrestlers,” said Compton.
Even so, the Braves brought home some bling: Amber Drye placed second in her bracket in the girls’ division; Ben Harper placed second; Dahlton Zavala won third; and Cameron Wischhusen also won third place.
TOP WRESTLER
Coach Mike Compton announced that the Wrestler of the Week is Hunter Johnson, who had 3 pins at the Friday Harbor meet, and won the Sportsmanship Medal. Go, Braves!
BOYS’ BASKETBALL
The boys traveled to Lewis County on Friday, Dec. 10, to play Adna and last year’s state champion, Pe Ell the following day. Coach Scott Novak reports that neither game resulted in a win for the Braves. Adna won 43-32; Landy James “scored 15 points to lead the way,” Novak said.
The Pe Ell won a very close game on Saturday 71-68. Novak reports that Landy James scored 16 points, Spencer Novak scored 15, and Kyle McKnight scored 11 point.
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