Boys aren't the only ones getting into fights on ball fields.

The Denver Post reported that the Cheyenne Mountain and Wasson High School girls softball teams were involved in a 30-person brawl on Monday night. According to the article, "a woman who was at the game is suspected of third-degree assault...and two juvenile girls are being investigated for fighting."

The fight happened in the parking lot after the game. I'd guess that parents were involved, too. I don't care what happened on the field to spur the fight, there is never an excuse to arm yourself with a bat, like the article says happened.

South Sound athletes played big roles in the all-state football games on Saturday.

In the 4A/3A game in Everett, Curtis' Stan Langlow delivered a victory-clinched hit to secure a 13-12 win for the East.

At the 2A/1A/B game in Yakima, Steilacoom's Greg Herd helped the West to a 31-13 victory over the East. Herd rushed for 70 yards, threw for 134 and ran and passed a touchdown.

Only 51 days until the start of fall practice...

All-state teams voted on by media organizations throughout the state, coordinated by Rene Ferran at the Tri Cities Herald.

First-team all-league selections, as well as league MVPs (in those leagues that separate them out), were eligible for the ballot. A player must have received a minimum of two votes to be eligible for honorable mention.

Class 4A
Player of the year — Justin Moore, f, South Kitsap.
Coach of the year — Michael Krug, South Kitsap.

First team
Forwards — Dylan Gaydosh, Stadium; Ugo Okoli, Todd Beamer; Justin Moore, South Kitsap; Marco Acevedo, Pasco.
Midfielders — Troy Peterson, Todd Beamer; Quinn Grisham, Issaquah; Andrew Clark, Pasco; KC Phillips, Stadium.
Defenders — Colin Ip, Bellarmine Prep; Kurt Stalsberg, Mountain View; Brady Espinoza, Pasco; Dan Tonkovich, Roosevelt; Connor Moe, Snohomish.
Goalkeeper — Emmanuel Martinez, Pasco.

=> Read more!

All-state teams voted on by media organizations throughout the state, coordinated by Rene Ferran at the Tri Cities Herald.

First-team all-league selections, as well as league MVPs (in those leagues that separate them out), were eligible for the ballot. A player must have received a minimum of two votes to be eligible for honorable mention.

Class 4A
Player of the year — Brett Jacobs, if, Richland.
Coach of the year — Ben Jacobs, Richland.

First team
Pitchers — Drew Vettleson, Central Kitsap; Tony Bryant, Kennewick; Billy Moon, University.
Catcher — Josh Rapacz, Richland.
Infielders — Tim Peterson, Emerald Ridge; Brady Steiger, South Kitsap; Brett Jacobs, Richland; Cody Shepherd, Richland; Trevor Mitsui, Shorewood.
Outfielders — Sean Rehon, Puyallup; Andrew Mendenhall, Southridge; Chris Marangon, Tahoma.

=> Read more!

All-state teams voted on by media organizations throughout the state, coordinated by Rene Ferran at the Tri Cities Herald.

First-team all-league selections, as well as league MVPs (in those leagues that separate them out), were eligible for the ballot. A player must have received a minimum of two votes to be eligible for honorable mention.

Class 4A
Player of the year — Amanda Fitzsimmons, p, Auburn Riverside.
Coach of the year — Mike McMahon, Kelso.

First team
Pitchers — Amanda Fitzsimmons, Auburn Riverside; Kori Seidlitz, Mountlake Terrace; Crystal Nyman, Kelso.
Catcher — Kyndell Andrews, Emerald Ridge.
Infielders — Maggie Wagner, Woodinville; Hope Klicker, Walla Walla; Taylor Darneille, Wilson; Allegra Wilde, Kamiakin.
Outfielders — Erin Fujita, Jefferson; Alexis Bobadilla, Walla Walla; Jessica Tenigawa, Marysville-Pilchuck.

=> Read more!

Three former players and coaches -- Cari Harrison, Chelle Miller and Mary Ann O'Dell -- are doing a generous thing and holding a week-long girls basketball camp for free.

Well, technically the camp isn't free, it's by donation. So, if you're signing up, give what you can.

You can register for the camp here.

Andrea Geubelle smashed Washington's all-time record in the girls triple jump with a leap of 42 feet, 10.25 inches at the Nike Outdoor Nationals last weekend at Greensboro, N.C.

Geubelle was named The News Tribune's Female Senior Athlete of the Year in Sunday's newspaper.

The previous record of 42 feet, 9 inches was set by River Ridge's LaShonda Christopher in 1995.

In baseball news, Puyallup's Sal Arena has given a verbally committed to play at Washington State University. Arena pitches and plays third base for the Vikings. He was a member of The News Tribune's All-Area Baseball Team this season.

Andrea Geubelle has been named Gatorade's Washington Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year. The Curtis senior won the triple jump, long jump and 100-meter sprint at the Class 4A state meet in May.

Geubelle, who has an athletic scholarship to the University of Kansas, won the triple jump and long jump as a junior. She ranks fifth in the nation in the triple jump this season with a leap of 41 feet, 9 inches.

"It's just consistency; she doesn't really take time off," Curtis High coach Terry Rice said. "What's done more to strengthen her career than anything else is just her work ethic. Every time we see her compete, you're looking for another great mark. It's a long season, and with her you get some 38-foot marks in the triple or 18-whatever in the long jump and you go, 'Ho-hum.' But those are all good marks. It's been a great three-year run."

Geubelle is competing in the Nike Nationals track and field meet in North Carolina this weekend and at the Junior Nationals in Salem, Ore., later this month.

Just received the all-state teams from the Washington State Baseball Coaches Association. I caught a few mispellings of South Sound ball players' names, but there may be more. Make a note in the comments if you see one and I'll correct it.

Class 4A
Player of the Year: Chris Marangon, Tahoma
Coach of the Year: Brian Fisher, Newport

First Team
Trevor Mitsui Shorewood INF 12
Christian Kaiser Lake Washington P 12
Brian Wolfe Snohomish P 12
Drew Vettleson Central Kitsap P 11
Brady Stieger South Kitsap INF 12
Chris Marangon Tahoma OF 12
Alexander Lee Kentwood P/INF 12
Tim Peterson Emerald Ridge P 12
Brett Jacobs Richland SS 12
Billy Moon University P 12
Chris Armstead Kelso P 12
Adam Cimber Puyallup P 12
Cody Shepard Richland 1b 12
John Rapacz Richland C 12
Sal Arena Puyallup INF 11
Tyler Roberts Southridge INF 12
Colin Herring Newport OF 12
Nick Andrews Eastlake C 12
Sean Rehon Puyallup OF 11

Second Team
Shawn O'Brien Kamiak 1b 12
Bryant VanEnglenberg Kentwood INF 11
Garrett Hall Olympia OF 12
Cullen Hendrickson Bellermine Prep INF 12
Makaio Mobbs Kelso OF 10
Alex Foulon Heritage INF 11
Spencer Downs Kelso INF 12
Sean Sealey Skyview 1b 12
Kyle Conwell Tahoma P 12
Spencer Rogers Issaquah OF 11
Adrian Sampson Skyline P 11
Brad Bender Newport INF 12
Andrew Mendenhall Southridge OF 12
Nate Roberts Central Kitsap INF 12
Chet Thompson Gig Harbor OF 12
Dylan Davis Redmond P 10
Jake Dahlberg Heritage P 9

=> Read more!

Bryce Harper, the 16-year-old who's been billed as the greatest player in the history of baseball (OK, a little exaggeration there, but read this story), has decided to skip his junior and senior years of high school and enroll in community college.

Harper will earn his GED and begin classes at the College of Southern Nevada in the fall and play for the school's baseball team, according to this article. His father, Ron Harper, said his son will enter the Major League Baseball draft in 2010 or 2011.

Do you see anything wrong with a high school kid bypassing his last two years of high school to make it the major leagues quicker? Some will say he's giving up his youth. But Harper doesn't think so. He told this to Sports Illustrated:

"People say, 'Weren't you deprived of your childhood?'" he said. "No way. I would not take anything back at all. Everything about it was great. I got to go places, meet people, play baseball against older kids and better competition. I had a great time."

Why do people go to college? To enrich themselves. To gain an education that will help them get a good job and make a good living. That's what baseball will do for Bryce Harper. It's his trade, his vocation, his career. Sure, he's going to miss out on some things a "regular" 17-year-old would experience. But I'm sure he'll survive when he pockets a huge signing bonus a year from now.

If basketball's your thing, you'll want to be at Wilson High School on Saturday, June 13. Some of the best players from the NBA, WNBA, NCAA and local high schools are coming together for a series of "rivalry" games and a showcase all-star contest.

According to one of the event's organizers, Chris Davis, the lineup includes Brandon Roy, Jamal Crawford, Nate Robinson, Jason Terry, Marcus Trufant, Shawn Kemp, Will Conroy, Tre Simmons, Marcus Williams, Isaiah Thomas, Justin Dentmon, Peyton Siva, Abdul Gaddy, Avery Bradley and Tim Ellis.

An autograph session starts at 5:30 p.m. and the all-star game will begin at 6:45 p.m., Davis said. Tickets are $10 and children under 6 will be admitted free.

Earlier in the day, alumni from three Seattle high schools -- Garfield, Rainier Beach and Franklin -- will take on three Tacoma schools -- Lincoln, Mount Tahoma and Foss -- in a series of games.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Motivating Our Children 2 Honor Academics organization. Davis said he wants to raise enough money to take 10 kids to visit the campuses of Morehouse College and Louisiana State University in August.

Here's the rivalry games schedule:
1:30 p.m. -- Franklin vs. Lincoln
2:15 p.m. -- Garfield vs. Mount Tahoma
2:45 p.m. -- Rainier Beach vs. Foss
3:15 p.m. -- Dunk contest
3:45 p.m. -- Franklin vs. Foss
4:15 p.m. -- Garfield vs. Lincoln
4:45 p.m. -- Rainier Beach vs. Mount Tahoma

Auburn Riverside senior Amanda Fitzsimmons was named the Gatorade Washington Softball Player of the Year today.

Fitzsimmons, who also earned The News Tribune's All-Area Player of the Year honors, finished her senior season with an 18-6 record and a 0.40 earned run average. In 124 innings, she struck out 227, walked 20 and allowed 78 hits. Offensively, she batted .625 and had a .828 slugging percentage.

Fitzsimmons, who has a scholarship to play at the University of Washington, is a finalist for the national player of the year award, which will be given later this month.

Former Lake Washington coach Terry Johnson has been hired as the girls basketball coach at Auburn Riverside.

“I’m excited and looking forward to it,” said Johnson, 31. “There is a great support system in place (at Auburn Riverside) and I want to build off the expectations.”

Johnson, who led the Kangaroos’ boys team for the past six seasons, becomes the Ravens’ third coach in 11 months.

Former coach Adam Barrett unexpectedly resigned last August after guiding the team to back-to-back Class 3A state titles. Ed Rosin took over in an interim role last season and the Ravens won the 4A West Central District title and placed fourth at the state tournament.

Auburn Riverside athletic director Doug Aubert said Johnson’s experience coaching in the KingCo Conference should pay off.

“Competing in the tough KingCo Conference should be good preparation for competing in the tough SPSL North,” Aubert said.

Johnson doesn’t expect much to change in his coaching style in making the switch from coaching boys to girls.

“From what I’ve gathered from coach who have done both, basketball is basketball,” he said. “There will be some adjustments in way of communication, but that’s probably it.”

Johnson said he and his wife – the couple is expecting its first child in October – had been planning a move to Bonney Lake to be closer to family.

Gig Harbor's football team is hosting an event to raise money for Molly Horton, a first grader at Artondale Elementary School, will be held at Joeseppi's Italian Ristorante.

Horton had a bone marrow transplant last summer and proceeds generated from the event will be given to the family, Tides coach Darren McKay said. There will also be a silent auction.

The event is scheduled to run from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, June 17. Joeseppi's is located at 2207 N. Pearl St.

Auburn Riverside’s new boys basketball coach won’t need to be versed in the competitiveness of the South Puget Sound League North Division.

Shawn Kilgallon has already coached in the league and he’s one-for-one in the league titles category. The former Kentwood coach was announced as the Ravens’ coach on Wednesday and met with the players.

“I’m excited,” said Kilgallon, 45. “When this job became available I was interested right away.”

Kilgallon inherits a team that has reached the West Central District playoffs in each of the last three seasons. In his only complete season leading the Conquerors, Kilgallon guided the team to a 17-7 record and the district playoffs in 1998. He was forced the leave the team halfway through the next season after being diagnosed with cancer.

“I got sick and had to undergo chemotherapy,” he said. “That’s a sad story from a long time ago.”

Since then, Kilgallon has been a stay-at-home dad, raising four children while his wife worked. With all the kids in school, Kilgallon sought out a coaching position.

“My wife and I, we wanted one of us to stay home with the kids until they got to school,” he said. “Now that they’re all there, I want to get back into coaching and teaching.”

Kilgallon replaces Tom Adams, who left after eight seasons to coach at his alma mater, Gig Harbor.

The University of Washington won the softball national championship on Tuesday evening, beating Florida 3-2 and taking the series 2-0.

Helping the Huskies win the title were six players that call the South Sound home. Centralia's Dani Stuart, Timberline's Taylor Smith, Yelm's Alicia Blake, Auburn's Bailey Stenson, Lakes' Alyson McWherter and Kentlake's Felecia Harris are on the roster.

Blake was Washington's starting catcher and McWherter, The News Tribune's Player of the Year in 2006, started about half the games in centerfield.

The South Sound-to-Washington pipeline remains loaded. Auburn Riverside's Amanda Fitzsimmons, The News Tribune's Player of the Year this season, has committed to the Huskies and Steilacoom's Marki Creger-Zier has given a verbal commitment.

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association has released its list of academic team champions for the spring season.

Cascade Christian was the only South Sound winner, taking honors in girls golf and girls tennis.

Here is the complete list.