The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association is officially looking at making changes to the basketball state tournament formats.

The WIAA is looking for ways to trim costs from putting on the events and help defray costs for schools that must travel long distances and pay for meals and lodging for athletes and coaches.

"This is being driven by the costs of putting on a tournament and the costs schools are having to pay by being there for multiple days," said Bellarmine Prep athletic director Ed Ploof, a member of the board.

Three weeks ago, I wrote a column that outlined a plan to reduce the 16-team basketball state tournaments to eight and get rid of the consolation games. This would allow the WIAA to play the 4A and 3A boys and girls tournaments at one site.

My plan -- here's a previous blog post explaining my regional tournament idea, along with a lively discussion -- would address all the things that WIAA and executive board officials say they want to remedy: lower costs to put ontournaments, lower costs to send teams to tournaments and fewer missed days in the classroom.

But would combining tournaments at one location pull in the same amount of money as the current set-up? To make a change feasible, it must. The basketball state tournaments, according to WIAA executive director, are the organization's "cash cow."

What do you want to see become of the basketball state tournaments?

David Sundheim is the new coach at Todd Beamer High School. Sundheim has spent the last three seasons as the offensive coordinator at Bethel High School.

"We got a number of great applicants," said Beamer athletic director Jerry Peterson, "and we feel great about David."

Sundheim, who played at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., has also coached at high schools in Florida and Virginia, Peterson said.

Sundheim takes over for former coach Gem Abe.

Class 4A
1. Kentwood 14-0
2. Lewis and Clark 14-0
3. Pasco 15-0
4. Snohomish 12-2
5. Moses Lake 13-3
6. Mead 11-2
7. Federal Way 11-4
8. Auburn Riverside 11-5
9. Bellarmine Prep 12-3
10. Jackson 11-2
Got next: Edmonds-Woodway, Garfield, Graham-Kapowsin, Issaquah, Mount Tahoma, Spokane Central Valley.

Class 3A
1. Kennedy 13-0
2. Prairie 12-2
3. Shadle Park 11-2
4. White River 14-0
5. Franklin 12-2
6. Yakima West Valley 10-5
7. Meadowdale 11-3
8. Bainbridge 10-2
9. Holy Names 12-2
10. Bellevue 11-4
Got next: Bonny Lake, Enumclaw, Hanford, Lakeside, Liberty, Mercer Island, Port Angeles

Class 2A
1. Prosser 12-0
2. Black Hills 11-1
3. Yakima East Valley 10-2
4. Archbishop Murphy 11-0
5. Lynden 10-3
6. Burlington-Edison 10-2
7. Hockinson 11-1
8. Elma 8-2
9. Pullman 10-2
9. Spokane West Valley 8-1 – 9-2
Got next: Clarkston, Ellensburg, Kingston, Othello, Squalicum, Wapato

Class 1A
1. Seattle Christian 14-0
2. Lynden Christian 10-2
3. Freeman 14-0
4. Connell 14-1
5. Granger 11-3
6. Mabton 13-2
7. Zillah 12-3
8. Vashon 11-1
9. Nooksack Valley 10-3
10. Rainier 10-4
Got next: Bellevue Christian, Burbank Columbia, Chelan, King’s, Forks, La Center, Onalaska, Toledo, Tonasket

Class 4A
1. Federal Way 13-2
2. Garfield 10-3
3. Kentwood 11-4
4. Decatur 13-2
5. Gonzaga Prep 13-1
6. Eisenhower 15-0
7. Curtis 14-3
8. Kentridge 10-6
9. Foss 11-4
10. Lincoln 11-4
Got next: Auburn, Central Kitsap, Mountlake Terrace, Puyallup

Class 3A
1. Franklin 13-0
2. Bellevue 14-1
3. Shadle Park 12-1
4. Renton 10-1
5. Rainier Beach 8-3
6. Columbia River 11-2
7. Enumclaw 13-1
8. Mount Rainier 11-1
9. Lakes 10-4
10. Meadowdale 11-3
Got next: Clover Park, Foster, Mercer Island, Seattle Prep, Yakima West Valley

Class 2A
1. Squalicum 11-1
2. Mark Morris 10-2
3. North Mason 11-2
4. Burlington-Edison 9-3
5. Pullman 9-3
6. Hoquiam 8-4
7. River Ridge 8-4
8. Wapato 9-3
9. Clarkston 7-4
10. Archbishop Murphy 8-3
Got next: Anacortes, Centralia, Grandview, Spokane West Valley, Toppenish

Class 1A
1. Vashon 14-1
2. Port Townsend 13-1
3. Winlock 12-1
4. Freeman 14-1
5. Cascade Christian 12-2
6. Chelan 12-3
7. King’s 12-3
8. Brewster 12-2
9. Connell 12-3
10. Meridian 11-2
Got next: Cashmere, Granger, Highland, Kalama, Mabton, Naches Valley, Nooksack Valley, Onalaska.

The News Tribune published its 22nd annual edition of the Northwest Nuggets on Sunday. Here's what we had:

Main bar: Colleges are offering athletes at younger and younger ages. This story is about freshmen and sophomores that haven't even played significant varsity time getting scholarships.

Sidebar: Skyline junior Jake Heaps is the top underclassmen recruit in the Northwest, maybe even the country. That story and link will also give you a list of the top junior Nuggets-in-waiting.

Notebook: No Nuggets for the Huskies for the first time in the 22-year history of the Northwest Nuggets.

Here are the 2009 Northwest Nuggets and honorable mention list:

DT Deandre Coleman
Seattle/Garfield HS
6-4, 295
Committed to: California

The only football player from Washington selected to play in the prestigious Army All-American Bowl in 2008, Coleman clearly belongs in this elite group of Northwest football players.
According to Rivals.com, Coleman is the 11th-best defensive tackle in the country. Surely, his long arms, quick feet and powerful build, not to mention his ragdoll-like treatment of opposing linemen, factored into his inclusion among the top 100 high school seniors in the country. Coaches from California, Colorado, LSU, Oregon, Washington, Texas A&M and others offered scholarships.
In August, Coleman told former Washington coach Tyrone Willingham that he planned to be a Husky. But four months later, he changed his mind and gave a verbal commitment to Cal coach Jeff Tedford, saying that he wanted to be part of Cal’s “family atmosphere.”

WR Gino Simone
Sammamish/Skyline HS
6-0, 175
Committed to: Washington St.

The News Tribune’s 2008 all-classification Washington Player of the Year can do it all.
Run crisp routes and make amazing grabs for first-downs and touchdowns? Check.
Zig-zag through the defenses for long gains on punt and kick returns? Check.
Deliver crushing blows from his safety position? Check.
While Simone likely won’t be asked to play defense at Washington State, coach Paul Wulff will surely welcome the Skyline senior’s game-changing abilities.
Simone, the state’s top-rated recruit, according to Scout.com, has helped Skyline win back-to-back state championships. During his senior season, he caught 54 passes for 862 yards and 13 touchdowns and returned four kicks for touchdowns.
While Simone will have to prove himself at the collegiate level, he already has the support of one of the nation’s highest-profile prep quarterbacks.
“I would take Gino over any kid in the country for a wide receiver,” said Skyline quarterback Jake Heaps, who has played with Simone since grade school. “He has all the intangibles it takes to be a great football player.”
Simone chose WSU over Boise St., Oregon State and Washington.

WR Kirby Moore
Prosser/Prosser HS
6-3, 200
Committed to: Boise St.

When it comes to catching touchdown passes, no high school receiver – past or present – in the United States can compete with Kirby Moore. The Prosser product set national records for touchdowns receptions in a career (95) and single-season (34) in 2008. His 304 catches for 4,854 yards in four seasons both rank fourth nationally. Moore also owns the state’s all-purpose touchdowns mark with 99.
“He’s a big, strong kid, and there isn’t anybody who’s worked harder at it in the (23) years I’ve been here,” Tom Moore said. “You don’t sprinkle magic dust around and become what he has.”
OK, so pops has glowing praise for his son. What about folks outside the Moore family?
“He is just a big guy you don’t have an answer for,” said Ephrata coach Jay Mills, who watched Moore catch 18 passes for 279 yards and four touchdowns against his team this season.
Moore has given a verbal commitment to play at Boise St., where he’ll reunite with older brother and Broncos quarterback Kellen.

OT Charles Siddoway
Eugene, Ore./Sheldon HS
6-6, 315
Committed to: California

Charles Siddoway surely knows the significance of Sept. 26, 2009. That’s when Cal, the college he has given a verbal commitment to attend, will visit Oregon, the hometown university that pulled its scholarship offer to the state’s top recruit without notice.
For the Northwest’s top-rated lineman, who took official visits to Cal, Oregon and UCLA, and cancelled a trip to Alabama, the scholarship switcheroo might have been a boon. It freed him to select an out-of-town school without catching any grief.
“I thought (Oregon) would give me more notice,” Siddoway told the Eugene Register-Guard, “but I’m fine with it. I’m able to go to the school I wanted to go to.”
The Beaver State’s top recruit, Siddoway possesses brute strength that few opponents can match and is a tremendous run-blocker.

QB Taysom Hill
Pocatello, Idaho/Highland HS
6-2, 210
Committed to: Stanford

Hearing some recruiting experts froth over a high school athlete is increasingly losing its value. Have these guys ever come across a recruit who doesn’t have “the potential to be a star”?
Perhaps the most meaningful comments come from those who know best – coaches. Especially opposing coaches.
If that’s the case, Highland High’s Taysom Hill of Pocatello, Idaho, has a bright future as a college quarterback.
Centennial coach Lee Neumann told the Idaho Statesman that Hill is the state’s “best offensive player” since former NFL quarterback Jake Plummer. After he dispatched coach Van Troxel’s Lake City squad from the state playoffs, Troxel called Hill a “one-man wrecking crew” and “a legit D-I player.”
Hill passed for 2,269 yards and 18 touchdowns and rushed for 1,491 yards and 24 touchdowns on the way to winning Idaho’s 5A state championship.
Hill, who is Mormon, said he chose Stanford over Arizona, BYU and Utah, but the Cardinal must wait two years for him, while he serves a church mission. An older brother, Jordan, signed with BYU out of high school but ended up playing at Arizona State.

TE Billy Sanders
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho/Lake City
6-4, 235
Committed to: ULCA

When Lake City High School coach Van Troxel looks back on Billy Sanders’ only season at the Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, school, he comes to a realization.
“We probably underutilized him,” Troxel said. “He’s got great hands. If we had him for another year, he would have been a bigger part of our offense.”
Sanders transferred to Lake City from Brophey Prep in Phoenix, Arizona, less than two months before the 2008 season began, and Lake City’s spread option veer offense doesn’t lend much opportunity for receivers.
“He probably caught about 28 passes,” Troxel said, “and about half of them came when he was split out by himself with four receivers on the other side of the field.”
Troxel said Sanders is a reliable run-blocker and adept at sealing off the edge.
Sanders committed to Miami during his junior year, but announced earlier this month that he would attend UCLA. Nevertheless, a Washington coach visited Lake City last week to try and sway Sanders.

Honorable Mention
Jamal Atofau DB 5-10 190 Bellevue WSU
Andre Barrington DB/LB 6-1 205 Federal Way WSU
Hunter Blackmore C 6-2 260 Kentwood Army
Grant Enger OL 6-6 250 O’Dea Oregon St.
Taylor Hart DE 6-6 245 Tualatin (Ore.) Oregon
Kyrell Hudson DB 6-2 190 Vancouver Evergreen Oregon St.
Malcolm Johnson RB 6-1 185 Gresham (Ore.) Barlow Boise St.
Casey Locker DB 5-11 175 Ferndale WSU
Boseko Lokombo LB 6-3 215 W.J. Mouat Sec. (B.C.) Oregon
Travis Long TE/DE 6-4 245 Gonzaga Prep WSU
Darren Markle LB 6-1 232 Meridian Idaho WSU
Chris Mastin DE 6-2 205 Lewis and Clark WSU
Geoff Meinken DE 6-4 260 Lynnwood Stanford
Allen Mooney LB 5-11 220 O’Dea Boise St.
Andru Pulu LB 6-3 250 Federal Way Washington
Desmond Trufant DB 5-11 170 Wilson Washington
Nolan Washington DB 5-11 165 Kennedy WSU

Prep Zone

What to watch Saturday

»» Want to see the best Class 4A basketball team in the state? Then come to tonight’s Garfield-Foss boys basketball game. The top-ranked Bulldogs feature sophomore guard Tony Wroten, who some recruiting evaluators believe is the best player in the nation in his class. This game could provide a glimpse of how the Narrows League will stack up against the state’s best come tournament time.
Where: Foss
Time: 7:30 p.m.

»» Some of the best regular-season wrestling of the year will happen at the Dream Duals in Spokane. South Sound schools Enumclaw, Rogers, Orting and Yelm will participate.
Finals are expected to begin at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Spokane East Valley
Time: 8:30 a.m.

»» Second-ranked Kentwood travels to rival Kentridge in rivalry game. Conquerors center Josh Smith is his team’s main weapon, but the Chargers boast four players averaging double-figures, led by sophomore guard Gary Bell, who’s scoring 20.2 points per game.
Where: Kentridge
Time: 7:30 p.m.

Friday’s highlights

»» Central Kitsap won the Narrows League bowling tournament team title, edging Wilson, 3,176-3,140. South Kitsap’s Megan McMahon was the individual champion, recording a mark of 643. Wilson’s Amanda Richards finished second with 611.

»» Sophomore guard Jordan Russell hit a runner with 45 seconds remaining that gave Lincoln the lead for good in the Narrows League Bay Division-leading Abes’ 61-58 win over Bellarmine Prep. Russell led all players with 22 points. Abdul Gaddy scored 15 for the Lions.

»» Auburn Riverside’s Ryan Rogers led the Ravens with 29 points in their 82-68 win at Kent Meridian.

»» Washington’s Jackie Jamison scored 30 points and Samantha Schubach had 21 in the Patriots’ 62-57 win at Steilacoom. Brianna Garcia had 24 for the Sentinels.

»» No. 3 Federal Way escaped from Kentridge with a 57-47 win, getting 14 points from Cole Dickerson.
»» Chad Rasmussen scored 18 points for No. 8 Curtis in the Vikings’ 54-44 win over Bethel.

»» Olympia’s Alex Weber-Brader scored 23 points in the Bears’ 66-63 overtime win at Gig Harbor.

»» Four Rogers players scored in double-figures, led by Ryan McIntosh’s 18 points, as the Rams won, 67-58, at Emerald Ridge. Colby Williams tallied 18 points for the Jaguars.

»» South Kitsap outscored Mount Tahoma 19-10 in overtime on its way to a 72-63 win over the Thunderbirds.

»» Bonney Lake’s girls recovered from an early deficit to beat Peninsula, 72-52, getting 22 points from Marcel Pounds.

»» Tosha Hollingsworth scored nearly half her team’s points, finishing with 25 in Capital’s 51-35 win over Yelm.

»» Fife’s Shelly Kilcup scored 27 points in a losing effort, falling, 59-45, to Eatonville.

»» Foss’ Max Kelly finished with 19 points in the Falcons 54-50 victory at Central Kitsap.

»» Tara Paddock totaled 18 points, leading Bethel to a 53-30 win over Curtis.

Super sophomore Tony Wroten and top-ranked Garfield will play at Foss at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Both schools were supposed to play Jefferson of Portland, Ore., in December, but the snowstorm kept the Democrats from making the trip. To make up the game, Garfield and Foss will play each other and South Sound hoop fans will reap the benefits.

Some interesting rankings here in the Associated Press poll...

SEATTLE — How a state panel of sports writers rates Washington high school boys basketball teams in the weekly Associated Press poll of 2009, by WIAA divisions, with won-lost record and total points (first-place votes in parentheses):

CLASS 4A
School Record Points Last week
1. Garfield (7) 9-2 86 1
2. Kentwood (2) 10-3 81 3
3. Federal Way 12-2 72 2
4. Eisenhower 14-0 573 6
5. Gonzaga Prep 12-1 55 7
6. Decatur 12-2 54 4
7. Puyallup 10-2 30 5
8. Curtis 13-3 24 NR
T8. Auburn 11-2 24 NR
10. Kentridge 9-5 4 8
Others receiving votes: Inglemoor 3. Central Kitsap 2. Mount Tahoma 1.

CLASS 3A
School Record Points Last week
1. Franklin (8) 12-0 98 1
2. Rainier Beach (2) 7-2 89 2
3. Bellevue 13-1 81 3
4. Shadle Park 11-1 66 4
5. Renton 9-1 56 5
6. Columbia River 10-2 47 6
7. Enumclaw 12-1 40 8
8. Mt. Rainier 10-1 29 9
9. West Valley (Yakima) 11-2 20 10
10. Clover Park 10-3 13 7
Others receiving votes: Foster 3. Seattle Prep 3. Lakes 3. North Kitsap 2.

CLASS 2A
School Record Points Last week
1. Squalicum (10) 9-1 118 1
2. Mark Morris (2) 9-2 108 2
3. Burlington-Edison 7-3 76 5
4. North Mason 10-2 70 6
5. River Ridge 9-3 69 3
6. Hoquiam 8-2 66 T9
7. West Valley (Spokane) 7-3 51 4
8. Wapato 8-2 44 8
9. Pullman 7-3 26 NR
10. Centralia 6-3 15 7
Others receiving votes: Archbishop Murphy 6. Quincy 4. Ephrata 3. Othello 1. Clarkston 1. Eatonville 1. Toppenish 1.

CLASS 1A
School Record Points Last week
1. Vashon Island (10) 12-1 108 1
2. Port Townsend 12-1 96 2
3. Winlock (1) 10-1 89 4
4. Freeman 13-1 69 5
5. Cascade Christian 11-2 51 6
6. Chelan 10-2 43 9
7. Brewster 11-2 41 3
8. King’s 11-3 30 8
9. Meridian 10-2 21 NR
10. Connell 12-1 16 NR
Others receiving votes: Onalaska 15. Cashmere 10. Kalama 6. Mabton 5. Naches Valley 3. Stevenson 1. Castle Rock 1.

CLASS 2B
School Record Points Last week
1. Northwest Christian (Colbert) (5) 13-0 59 1
2. White Swan (1) 12-1 55 2
3. Garfield-Palouse 11-1 40 T4
4. Riverside Christian 7-2 37 3
5. Bear Creek School 12-1 31 T4
6. Liberty Christian 10-2 23 8
7. Selkirk 10-1 17 7
8. Life Christian Academy 7-5 12 9
T9. Oroville 9-3 8
T9. Seattle Lutheran 10-4 8 10
Others receiving votes: Toutle Lake 6. Mossyrock 6. Napavine 5. Asotin 5. Quilcene 4. North Beach 2. South Bend 2. St. George 2. Tekoa-Oakesdale 2. Adna 2. Naselle 1. Lyle 1. Mary Walker 1. Waitsburg 1.

CLASS 1B
School Record Points Last week
T1. Almira Coulee-Hartline 9-4 44 2
T1. Wellpinit (2) 10-1 44 3
3. Cusick (1) 10-4 42 1
4. Moses Lake Christian Academy (1) 4-2 38 4
5. Oakville (2) 11-0 28
Others receiving votes: Klickitat 17. Lummi 15. Neah Bay 9. Northwest Yeshiva 9. Rosalia 8. Tri-Cities Prep 8. Bickleton 6. Curlew 6. Tulalip Heritage 6.

SEATTLE — How a state panel of sports writers rates Washington girls high school basketball teams in the weekly Associated Press poll of 2009, by WIAA divisions, with win-loss record and total points (first-place votes in parentheses):

CLASS 4A
School Record Points Last Week
1. Lewis and Clark (5) 13-0 87 1
2. Kentwood (3) 14-0 84 2
3. Pasco 13-0 72 3
4. Snohomish 10-2 53 6
5. Moses Lake 10-3 49 4
6. Edmonds-Woodway 11-1 36 9
7. Auburn Riverside 10-5 33 5
8. Mead 10-2 30 8
9. Bellarmine Prep 11-3 26 7
10. Federal Way 10-4 9
Others receiving votes: Walla Walla 6. Heritage 3. Issaquah 2. Central Valley 2. Olympia 2. Roosevelt 1.

CLASS 3A
School Record Points Last week
1. Kennedy (7) 10-0 88 1
2. Prairie (2) 11-2 82 2
3. White River 12-0 67 3
4. Shadle Park 10-2 64 4
5. Bainbridge 8-1 45 T5
6. Meadowdale 9-3 42 7
7. Yakima West Valley 8-5 35 8
8. Holy Names 10-2 32 T5
9. Franklin 8-2 12
10. Mercer Island 9-4 9
Others receiving votes: Bellevue 6. Hanford 4. Lakeside (Seattle) 4. Yelm 3. Mt. Rainier 1.

CLASS 2A
School Record Points Last week
1. Prosser (10) 10-0 109 1
2. Black Hills (1) 9-1 92 3
3. Archbishop Murphy 10-0 80 4
4. Yakima East Valley 9-1 69 5
5. Lynden 9-2 66 2
6. Burlington-Edison 9-1 46 6
7. Elma 7-2 42 8
8. Hockinson 10-1 32
9. West Valley (Spokane) 9-1 24 7
10. Tumwater 8-3 10
Others receiving votes: Othello 10. Kingston 8. Pullman 6. Interlake 5. Ellensburg 4. Clarkston 1.

CLASS 1A
School Record Points Last week
1. Lynden Christian (1) 9-2 88 1
2. Seattle Christian (7) 13-0 86 2
3. Freeman (1) 14-0 84 3
4. Connell 12-1 64 4
5. Zillah 11-2 57 6
6. Granger 10-3 40 8
7. Nooksack Valley 9-3 27 7
8. Forks 8-2 24
9. Mabton 10-2 19
10. Vashon Island 9-1 17 T10
Others receiving votes: Seattle Academy 10. Toledo 8. Chelan 7. Bellevue Christian 7. Cascade (Leavenworth) 4. LaCenter 3. Onalaska 1.

CLASS 2B
School Record Points Last week
1. Napavine (2) 12-0 35 5
T2. White Swan 9-5 32 4
T2. Garfield-Palouse (1) 10-2 32 2
T2. Liberty Bell (1) 11-1 32 6
T5. Colfax 9-2 29 3
T5. LaSalle 9-4 29 1
T7. Mary Walker (1) 11-1 21 8
T7. Mossyrock 9-1 21 7
T9. Reardan 8-5 10
T9. White Pass 3-3 10
Others receiving votes: Lind-Ritzville 9. Dayton 9. Northwest Christian (Colbert) 3. King’s West 2. Raymond 1.

CLASS 1B
School Record Points Last week
1. Colton (4) 11-0 58 T1
2. St. John-Endicott (1) 8-1 43 T1
3. Almira Coulee-Hartline 11-1 38 4
4. Sunnyside Christian (1) 8-2 35 3
5. Columbia (Hunters) 12-1 26
Others receiving votes: Northwest Yeshiva 21. Lummi 7. Cusick 6. Taholah 6.

What to watch Wednesday

The Gig Harbor (7-5, 4-4 Narrows League) boys basketball team takes a three-game winning streak to Silverdale where the Tides will meet Bay Division front runner Central Kitsap (10-3, 6-2).
Where: Central Kitsap
Time: 7 p.m.

Two teams in the thick of the title hunt in their respective Narrows League divisions will meet when Wilson (11-3, 6-3) faces Mount Tahoma (9-3, 5-2). Rams guard Jordan Coby is averaging 16.3 points per game in his last three contests.
Where: Mount Tahoma
Time: 7 p.m.

The tenth-ranked Bellarmine Prep girls will try to bounce back from its loss to No. 1 Kentwood when they travel to South Kitsap (7-6, 5-3) So far this season, the Lions (11-3, 8-0) have been the class of the Narrows League – only one league foe has come within 10 points of Bellarmine Prep.
Where: South Kitsap
Time: 7 p.m.

Tuesday’s highlights

Wilson upended Foss in overtime, beating the Falcons 55-54. Jordan Coby led the Rams with 16 points and Desmond Trufant had nine. LuQuam Thompson scored 12 for the Falcons.

Anthony Bowden scored 15 points, leading Franklin Pierce to a 47-44 upset of No. 10 Clover Park.

Chad Rasmussen and Davonte Lacy each scored 20 points for Curtis as the Vikings held off Beamer, 82-79. Vladi Aficiuc totaled 32 points and Kevin Davis had 25 for the Titans.

Eatonville surged to a 27-18 lead at halftime and cruised from there in the Nisqually League 2A clash with Steilacoom. Zach Bass and Brad Norman each scored 15 points for the Cruisers (9-2, 2-1). Blayne Clanton led the Sentinels (6-3, 1-1) with 20 points.

Dustin Yarrington’s 18 points paced Fife in its 76-43 win over Washington.

Kevin Donahue, Steven Lee and Linh Nguyen-Tran each won two individual events and two relays for Foss in the Falcons’ 103-70 boys swimming victory over Lincoln.

The News Tribune's girls basketball rankings for the week of Jan. 18.

Class 4A
1. Kentwood 13-0
2. Lewis and Clark 12-0
3. Pasco 12-0
4. Snohomish 10-2
5. Moses Lake 10-3
6. Edmonds-Woodway 10-1
7. Mead 9-2
8. Auburn Riverside 10-4
9. Federal Way 10-4
10. Bellarmine Prep 11-3
Got next: Graham-Kapowsin, Issaquah, Jackson, Mount Tahoma, Roosevelt, Spokane Central Valley

=> Read more!

Lincoln has has opened its head football coaching position.

Applicants should contact Lincoln athletic director Char Davenport at 253-571-6644 or apply on the Tacoma School District's Web site.

Ben Cochran was hired last summer as the interim head coach. He guided the Abes to a 4-6 record. Davenport said Cochran, along with some assistants, have expressed interest in the head coaching position.

Rumors of Lincoln graduate and NFL quarterback Jon Kitna, who is a certified math teacher, returning to Tacoma to lead the Abes are not true, said Davenport, who spoke to Kitna.

"He is very committed to Tacoma," she said, "but he is not at a point in his career where he is ready to make a commitment to coaching."

Game 4: Federal Way 71, Decatur 63

Federal Way ran away late to beat their cross-town rival.

The score was tied, 52-52, heading into the fourth quarter. Decatur's Jordan McCloud hit a shot in the final second of the third quarter to tie the score.

Federal Way led Decatur 34-32 at halftime.

Decatur's students are chanting "Traitor, traitor," at Eagles guard Michael Hale III, who transferred to Federal Way from Decatur last spring. Hale gave the crowd a glare after converting a steal into a layin as part of an 8-0 Federal Way run that gave his team a 23-19 lead.

Federal Way led 15-14 at the end of the first quarter.

Game 3: No. 2 Kentwood 55, Bothell 39

Conquerors center Joshua Smith recorded a double-double, scoring 15 points and grabbing 18 rebounds, leading his team to the victory. Teammates Greg Humphreys and Tre Tyler each scored 11 points.

Mike Havigson scored 10 points to lead Bothell.

Kentwood led Bothell 30-12 at the end of the first half. Kentwood outscored the Cougars 17-4 in the second quarter.

Game 2 (Girls): No. 1 Kentwood 75, No. 8 Bellarmine Prep 48

Kentwood's 5-foot guard Kylie Huerta scored a game-high 21 points and Nebraska-bound guard Lindsey Moore finished with 18 as the Conquerors stayed undefeated.

Grace Beardemhpl led Bellarmine Prep with 14 points and Mechela Barnes chipped in nine.

Game 1: No. 7 King's 59, Bellevue Christian 52

Bellevue Christian's David Downs went 10 of 16 from the field, including 3 of 4 from beyond the arc, but his 27 points weren't enough to lead the Vikings to a win.

King's outrebounded Bellevue Christian, 31-23. Nick Hardy led the Knights with 15 points, Kyle Talbot scored 14 and Karl Clocksin had 12.

Here are The News Tribune's boys basketball rankings for the week of Jan. 18.

Class 4A
1. Garfield 8-1
2. Kentwood 9-3
3. Federal Way 11-2
4. Decatur 11-1
5. Gonazaga Prep 11-1
6. Eisenhower 13-0
7. Puyallup 10-2
8. Curtis 12-3
9. Auburn 10-2
10. Lincoln 9-4
Got next: Central Kitsap, Foss, Kentridge, Lake Stevens, Lincoln, Mariner, Mount Tahoma, Mountlake Terrace

Garfield, Federal Way, Decatur and Kentwood will all play at the King Holiday Hoopfest on Monday at Hec Edmundson Pavilion.

Curtis rocked Puyallup on Saturday and climbed into the rankings. Lincoln is new at No. 10. The Abes have scratched and clawed to win games while missing a chunk of their roster. Now with nearly everyone back, Lincoln should be even better.

=> Read more!

Curtis' win over No. 4 Puyallup and No. 3 Kentwood's victory over No. 2 Federal Way were the highlights from Saturday night.

The boys rankings will be up later Sunday afternoon.

Where to be tonight:

Seventh-ranked Clover Park (9-1 overall, 7-0) hosts Lakes (7-4, 6-1) in a boys SPSL 3A showdown with Lakewood bragging rights on the line. The Lancers easily won both meetings last season, but the Warriors are much better this season and primed for payback.

Where: Clover Park Time: 7 p.m.

Center Brandon Durham and No. 10 Central Kitsap (9-2, 5-1) visit Lincoln (8-4, 5-2) for the Narrows League’s biggest game of the night.

Where: Lincoln Time: 7 p.m.

Tied for first in the Narrows League Bridge Division, the South Kitsap girls (7-5, 5-2) visit an Olympia team (7-4, 5-1) on a four-game winning streak.

Where: Olympia Time: 7 p.m.

Alyssa Andrews of Gig Harbor has been named Washington's Gatorade Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year.

Andrews, a senior with a 4.0 GPA, won the individual title with a time of 18 minutes at the Class 4A state meet in November, helping Gig Harbor to a second-place finish.

"This was her first year as a full-time runner and she showed huge improvements due to her single focus," Tides coach Patty Ley said. "She dominated the field at the Nike Regional. There were state champions from Oregon, Idaho and Alaska, but she simply ran away from the field and made it look easy."

Andrews has not yet chosen a college to attend.

First Associated Press poll of the season. If you're interested in how The News Tribune votes, we vote the same as our rankings.

Girls basketball

CLASS 4A
School Record Points
1. Lewis and Clark (6) 11-0 87
2. Kentwood (3) 10-0 84
3. Pasco 11-0 68
4. Moses Lake 10-1 54
5. Auburn Riverside 9-3 53
6. Snohomish 8-2 49
7. Bellarmine Prep 8-2 25
8. Mead 9-2 21
9. Edmonds-Woodway 8-1 17
10. Roosevelt 7-2 15
Others receiving votes: Kelso 6. Federal Way 5. Issaquah 4. Jackson 4. Central Valley 3.

CLASS 3A
School Record Points
1. Kennedy (6) 8-0 87
2. Prairie (3) 9-2 84
3. White River 9-0 66
4. Shadle Park 8-2 61
T5. Bainbridge 5-1 41
T5. Holy Names 8-1 41
7. Meadowdale 7-2 39
8. West Valley (Yakima) 7-4 30
9. Liberty (Renton) 9-1 19
10. Lakeside (Seattle) 7-3 17
Others receiving votes: Mercer Island 5. Lakes 2. Hanford 2. Enumclaw 1.

CLASS 2A
School Record Points
1. Prosser (7) 8-0 70
2. Lynden 7-2 53
3. Black Hills 6-1 52
4. Archbishop Murphy 8-0 47
5. East Valley (Yakima) 8-1 33
6. Burlington-Edison 9-2 29
7. West Valley (Spokane) 6-1 18
8. Elma 5-1 17
9. Interlake 9-2 12
T10. Kingston 7-3 10
T10. Pullman 7-2 10
Others receiving votes: Othello 9. River Ridge 7. Ellensburg 7. Anacortes 5. Clarkston 3. Tumwater 2. Sehome 1.

CLASS 1A
School Record Points
1. Lynden Christian (3) 7-2 66
2. Seattle Christian (4) 9-0 63
3. Freeman 11-0 55
4. Connell 11-1 50
5. Toledo 8-1 32
6. Zillah 9-2 24
7. Nooksack Valley 7-2 21
8. Granger 8-2 15
9. Chelan 7-2 10
T10. Bellevue Christian 7-1 9
T10. Vashon Island 8-1 9
Others receiving votes: Mabton 7. Seattle Academy 5. Rainier 4. Cascade (Leavenworth) 4. King’s 4. Onalaska 3. Newport 2. LaCenter 2.

CLASS 2B
School Record Points
1. LaSalle (1) 9-2 29
2. Garfield-Palouse (1) 8-2 27
3. Colfax 8-1 25
4. White Swan (1) 9-2 20
5. Napavine (1) 9-0 18
6. Liberty Bell 9-1 16
7. Mossyrock 7-1 14
T8. Mary Walker 9-1 12
T8. Dayton 6-1 12
10. Northwest Christian (Colbert) 6-4 10
Others receiving votes: White Pass 9. King’s West 6. Evergreen Lutheran 5. Riverside Christian 5. Shoreline Christian 5. Lind-Ritzville 2. LaConner 2. Entiat 1. Raymond 1. Mount Vernon Christian 1.

CLASS 1B
School Record Points
T1. Colton (1) 8-0 26
T1. St. John-Endicott 8-0 26
3. Sunnyside Christian (1) 5-2 24
4. Almira/Coulee-Hartline (1) 10-0 18
T5. Northwest Yeshiva 11-1 7
T5. Columbia (Hunters) 9-1 7
Others receiving votes: Cusick 6. Lummi 6

Here's the 2008-09 season's first AP poll. The News Tribune votes are the same as our rankings.

CLASS 4A
School Record Points
1. Garfield (8) 7-1 89
2. Federal Way (1) 10-1 73
3. Kentwood 7-3 59
4. Decatur 9-1 54
5. Puyallup 9-1 53
6. Eisenhower 12-0 48
7. Gonzaga Prep 10-1 47
8. Kentridge 8-4 21
9. Foss 8-2 20
10. Central Kitsap 8-1 19
Others receiving votes: Kelso 5, Auburn 4, Bellarmine Prep 3.

Class 3A
School Record Points
1. Franklin (5) 9-0 86
2. Rainier Beach (4) 6-0 85
3. Bellevue 10-1 72
4. Shadle Park 7-1 59
5. Renton 7-1 52
6. Columbia River 7-2 38
7. Clover Park 9-0 36
8. Enumclaw 10-1 29
9. Mt. Rainier 7-1 15
10. West Valley (Yakima) 9-2 13
Others receiving votes: Foster 5, Seattle Prep 2, North Kitsap 1, Lakes 1, Meadowdale 1.

CLASS 2A
School Record Points
1. Squalicum (7) 7-1 89
2. Mark Morris (1) 6-2 79
3. River Ridge 7-3 55
4. West Valley (Spokane) (1) 5-2 54
5. Burlington-Edison 6-2 48
6. North Mason 9-1 41
7. Centralia 6-1 40
8. Wapato 6-1 30
9. Hoquiam 6-2 13
10. Toppenish 6-2 13
Others receiving votes: Pullman 11. Othello 7. Quincy 6. Eatonville 5. South Whidbey 3. Washington 2. Archbishop Murphy 2. Tumwater 1.

CLASS 1A
School Record Points
1. Vashon Island (7) 10-1 87
2. Port Townsend (1) 11-0 72
3. Brewster (1) 8-2 67
4. Winlock 7-1 64
5. Freeman 11-1 44
6. Cascade Christian 8-2 41
7. Cashmere 8-1 34
8. King’s 6-3 31
9. Chelan 9-2 15
10. Highland 8-3 10
Others receiving votes: Kalama 6. Castle Rock 5. Mabton 5. Meridian 5. Connell 4. Bellevue Christian 3. Okanogan 1. Onalaska 1.

CLASS 2B
School Record Points
1. Northwest Christian (Colbert) (4) 11-0 49
2. White Swan (1) 11-0 43
3. Riverside Christian 7-2 35
T4. Bear Creek School 11-0 29
T4. Garfield-Palouse 9-1 29
6. Mossyrock 4-2 19
7. Selkirk 9-1 14
8. Liberty Christian 6-2 13
9. Life Christian Academy 7-2 10
10. Seattle Lutheran 9-3 8
Others receiving votes: Chief Leschi 7. Naselle 5. Oroville 5. Quilcene 3. Colfax 2. Dayton 1. St. George 1. Toutle Lake 1. Asotin 1.

CLASS 1B
School Record Points
1. Cusick (2) 9-2 36
2. Almira Coulee-Hartline 8-3 23
3. Wellpinit (2) 7-1 20
4. Moses Lake Christian Academy 3-2 18
5. Bickleton 4-2 17
Others receiving votes: Lummi 12. Curlew 7. St. John-Endicott 7. Tulalip Heritage 7. Tri-Cities Prep 7. Sunnyside Christian 6.

Some of you might have read a column in the Port Orchard Independent a couple weeks ago that called for Curtis High School to leave the SPSL and join the Narrows League.

I recently spoke with Curtis athletic director Terry Jenks and there is no chance of this happening.

"We are very happy being in the SPSL," Jenks said. "There has been no talk of leaving."

Speaking of Curtis, senior Kim Latschaw has signed a letter of intent to play water polo at Cal Baptist University in Riverside, Calif. Latschaw was the leading scorer for the two-time state champions and was named Washington's Offensive Player of the Year last season.

The Vikings will begin defense of their title on Feb. 23.

Class 4A
1. Kentwood 8-0
2. Lewis and Clark 10-0
3. Pasco 10-0
4. Moses Lake 9-2
5. Auburn Riverside 8-3
6. Snohomish 7-2
7. Mead 8-1
8. Bellarmine Prep 8-2
9. Edmonds-Woodway 7-1
10. Federal Way 8-3
Got next: Central Valley, Graham-Kapowsin, Issaquah, Jackson, Mount Tahoma, Roosevelt

Pasco rose to No. 3 after winning 63-56 at Moses Lake. Bellarmine Prep and Edmonds-Woodway each climbed one spot after Issaquah tumbled out of the rankings. Federal Way jumped in at No. 10.

=> Read more!

A couple "commitment" e-mails arrived in my in-box today. If you know of others, send them my way and I'll round them up here every few days.

-- Lakes' lineman Tuiasosopo Niusulu has given a verbal commitment to attend Idaho State University. The Bengals offered the senior a full athletic scholarship.

Niusulu was the SPSL 3A's Defensive Lineman of the Year, an all-state selection at defensive line and a member of The News Tribune's All-Area team.

Niusulu chose ISU over Montana State, Eastern Washington and Central Washington.

-- Fife swimmer Nakayla Chan, a state record holder in a few events, has signed to swim at UNLV.

Class 4A
1. Garfield 5-1
2. Federal Way 8-1
3. Kentwood 6-3
4. Puyallup 8-1
5. Decatur 8-1
6. Gonzaga Prep 9-1
7. Eisenhower 11-0
8. Kentridge 7-4
9. Foss 7-2
10. Central Kitsap 7-1
Got next: Auburn, Bellarmine Prep, Curtis, Lincoln, Mariner, Richland

Big shake-up this week in Class 4A. Garfield remains No. 1, but every other team has moved up, down, into or out of the rankings.

Kentwood thumped Auburn, 64-43, and then rolled over Kentlake, 62-47. But guess who’s on the schedule for Saturday? No. 2 Federal Way.

Two weeks ago Puyallup was unranked. Last week, it was No. 10. Following the Vikings’ 82-75 win over then-No. 2 Decatur, the Vikings have rocketed to No. 4. Center Killian Larson gives Puyallup a competitive advantage over most teams and against the Gators the Vikings showed they can shoot from the perimeter.

Just when it seems like the Narrows League has a couple clear favorites, Foss and Mount Tahoma lost last week. The Falcons fell to a rejuvenated Bellarmine Prep squad, but the T-birds lost twice. Preseason league favorite Central Kitsap climbs back into the rankings.

The rest of the rankings are after the jump.

=> Read more!

I'm straying from high school sports coverage for a moment here, but I think you'll enjoy it.

Halftime shows at high school basketball games rarely pull me away from adding up first-half scoring totals and getting a head-start on writing my game story. But if you've been to a high school basketball game in Tacoma in the last few years, you've probably seen the Young Ambassadors perform at halftime. These kids are fantastic. They ride unicycles and perform gymnastics and tumbling routines. They always get a standing ovation and they deserve it.

I'd love to see them get a chance to perform during a semifinal at the basketball state tournament at the Tacoma Dome. Maybe right after the Ferris sack dance, if the Saxons can find a way to return to state?

I shot this video of the Young Ambassadors at the Bellarmine Prep-Foss basketball game on Friday. Watch and see for yourself.

In a column that ran in Friday’s newspaper, I called for the WIAA to switch to eight-team brackets in the basketball state tournaments instead of 16 and do away with the consolation games.

Read the column. Tell me what you think. Do you like the tournament the way it is? Would you change anything?

In the column, I detailed a regional tournament format for Class 4A. To keep the piece from being cluttered, I omitted the 3A, 2A and 1A. I have listed them here.

Click below to see them.

=> Read more!

This just hit my inbox:

"From January 12-24, basketball officials throughout King County will blow pink whistles at all high school, junior high and middle school games. The goal is to call attention to breast cancer and to encourage students, parents and fans to make a financial contribution to organizations that support research to end this disease.

"As an incentive to others, these referees have donated a portion of their own game checks to benefit breast cancer research," said Linda Meredith, referee coordinator for the event. "We will be sending one big check from the officials at the end of the campaign. It would be great if other people would step up and donate too."

During January and February basketball fans will see referees across the country at the high school and the collegiate levels sponsoring cancer awareness programs. NCAA basketball coaches and referees have been leading the effort for the last several years. Recipients of the fundraising have been the Kay Yow fund and the Jimmy V fund, in memory of two dedicated college coaches. The Puget Sound Chapter of the Susan G. Komen Foundation is a likely local recipient.

The Seattle Officials Women’s Basketball association and the Pacific Northwest Basketball Officials Association comprise over 300 referees who are expected to use the whistles."

So, folks, next time you feel like ripping a referee, remember that they're giving part of their paltry game check to a worthy cause.

Here are the latest girls basketball rankings.

Class 4A
1. Kentwood 6-0
2. Lewis and Clark 8-0
3. Moses Lake 9-1
4. Auburn Riverside 6-3
5. Snohomish 5-2
6. Pasco 7-0
7. Mead 7-1
8. Issaquah 4-1
9. Bellarmine Prep 6-2
10. Edmonds-Woodway 5-1
Got next: Jefferson, Mount Tahoma, Newport, Redmond

There's no movement among the top five teams. Kentwood hasn't played a game over break, so we'll see if the Conquerors have any rust when they hit the court this week.

Bellarmine Prep fell three spots after losing to Lynden and Lynden Christian at the Lynden Holiday Tournament -- the Lions and Lyncs are ranked No. 1 in 2A and 1A.

Pasco leaps ahead of Mead after the Panthers lost to No. 2 Lewis and Clark. Mount Tahoma dropped out of the rankings after losing to Kingston.

Click below for the rest of the rankings.

=> Read more!

Here are this week's boys basketball reankings. The girls rankings will come out on Monday, Jan. 5.

Class 4A
1. Garfield 3-1
2. Decatur 7-0
3. Federal Way 6-1
4. Gonzaga Prep 8-0
5. Foss 6-1
6. Auburn 6-1
7. Kentwood 4-3
8. Mount Tahoma 7-1
9. Eisenhower 8-0
10. Puyallup 6-0
Got next: Central Kitsap, Kentridge, Mariner, Richland

The top four teams remain the same as in the last rankings. Foss and Auburn each moved up one spot and Kentwood tumbled two places in the rankings. Even though Foss went 1-1 since the last rankings, the Falcons beat a very good Mariner squad before falling at Decatur. No shame in that.

A pair of undefeated teams -- Eisenhower and Puyallup -- make their debut in the rankings. The Cadets appear to be the class of Central Washington and the Vikings, with big man Killian Larson gobbling up nearly 20 rebounds a game, are a surprise team in the SPSL South. Puyallup will get to prove its worth when it hosts Decatur on Saturday.

Click below for the rest of the rankings.

=> Read more!

Here's a clip from the Rock Island Tournament at Vashon High School. It's Orting's Garrett Mann (in white and red singlet) and Lakeside's Josh Lauderdale in the 130-pound weight class.

Going into the match, Mann and Lauderdale were ranked Nos. 1 and 2 in Class 1A in the Washington Wrestling Report, and they'll likely stay that way. Mann won 7-4.

Orting completely dominated the tournament, sending nine wrestlers to the finals and six won titles.

After taking second place at state the last three seasons, it looks like this could be the year the Cardinals finally win the championship.