Basketball Update

It's the first weekend of March which means lots of post-season basketball tournaments.  My favorite teams and conferences this year include the Washington State Reunited State B tournament held in Spokane, WA for 2A and 2B teams, the Washington State 4A Boys and Girls tournaments held in regional locations with Elite Eight games in the Tacoma Dome and the WCC with my favorite teams, the University of Portland Pilots and of course, the hometown team, Gonzaga University.

First, the WCC.  Portland was eliminated last night by Loyola Marymount much to the chagrin of loyal Pilot faithful.  LMU is a much better team than would be indicated by their win-loss record.  Portland beat them both times during the regular season, one game at the Chiles Center in Portland was a double overtime win.  It was awful to lose after such a great year and especially knowing that the other first round game was USD (San Diego) vs. Pepperdine, both basement dwellers most of the season, though USD surprised everyone in the league by beating 1st place St. Mary's--same for Portland.  That put both teams and the WCC in particular higher on the media radar.


UP vs. Santa Clara (senior night, Feb 2011)

Not sure who to root for now, I really liked USF, St. Mary's is as inconsistent at Gonzaga and maybe LMU is peaking at the right time.  I'd just like to see the best representative of the WCC go to the "dance" so the conference has a solid representative that can advance past the first or second round.  Everyone likes a Cinderella story, and UP was Cinderella for me this year, with outstanding play from its seniors Kramer Knutson, Luke Sikma, Jasonn Hannibal and Jared Stohl.  The freshman lineup were darlings too--especially since my daughter is also a UP freshman, particularly Tim Douglas (who was sidelined with a stress fracture in his foot, which didn't help), Ryan Nicholas (who I absolutely adore since he's a graduate of Gonzaga Prep and classmate of my daughter), Tanner Riley and Riley Barker.  The other freshman include Korey Thielke and redshirt freshman Farmer John Bailey, ready for Center or Post duties next year.

Thank goodness for the Internet, permitting fans to access the games and content they want, whether near or far.  Special kudos to Bill Johnson, the "voice" of UP basketball for 18 years and accesible online through KDPQ, Portland and special kudos to BYUtv for providing live video feed of the LMU vs. Portland; Pepperdine vs. USD game.  BYU will be joining the WCC next season and what a delightful group of fans they are!  Apparently they have had to endure alot with their current media outlet, The Mountain from the chatter during last night's games via Facebook connected with BYUtv.

http://www.byutv.org/

Now for the best news--Gonzaga Prep's boys are playing for 1st or 2nd in the State of Washington tonight at 9:30 pm against Curtis, avenging their loss in 2010 to Federal Way.  Prep beat Kentridge and Garfield, Seattle in two of the Elite Eight games to play Curtis tonight in the finale.  Hopefully they will give a shout-out to their former teammate and UP Pilot Ryan Nicholas at the end of the game who helped start this traditional trek to Tacoma for Gonzaga Prep.

Chris Sarbaugh, Shane Schmidlkopfer, Ryan Gregory and Max Gruber Celebrate at State

The Gonzaga Prep Girls also qualified for the Washington State Tournament first round games for the first time in 17 years (or something really incredible.)  Props to the entire girls team including Seniors Hannah Murray, Tia Presley and the Largent twins, Ashley and Taylor.

The "reunited" State B tournament is well underway in Spokane, WA with the final games tonight at the Arena.  The WIAA in their infinite wisdom decided 5 or so years ago to split the B's into two leagues, 1A and 1B, 2A and 2B, trashing a highly successful and extremely well-attended, long standing B tournament that was a yearly economic boost to Spokane.  The WIAA's explanation was to make the tournament more revenue friendly (translation, they really hoped to bilk money in two locations in the State, holding one part of the tournament at the Yakima Sundome, the other remaining at the Spokane Arena.) 

One look around the Spokane Arena year one was enough for even Stevie Wonder to question the intelligence and wisdom of the WIAA.  This year, the seats are slowly filling back up.  The WIAA deflects criticism by pointing out that their entire organization votes yes for these hair brained schemes including their newest bright idea to hold first round state tournament games at regional locations, then only advancing the Elite Eight to the biggest booby prize of all, games in the Tacoma Dome.  Two years and a full house at the Toyota Center in Kennewick for the 3A and 4A teams (2009 and 2010, respectively) wasn't sufficient in gate receipts, causing the move for at least G-Prep's 2011 first round game to the gym of Richland High School.  The Bombers, it should be noted, filled the Toyota Center to the hilt during the 2010 Regional games.  Go figure. 

One blog comment suggested somebody frame up Mike Colbrese, head of the WIAA to discredit him in some way so he can be removed as Executive Director of the WIAA.  I'm not sure that would help, althought if women were collectively in charge, I'd bet dollars to donuts, things would be quite different for the student athletes, coaches, parents and fans who have to drive to and fro with kids and their teams playing first round games in two different cities on the same day.  Hopefully the relatives can help cover those games.

The weekend rolls on and new champions will be crowned.

Next stop--the NCAA tournament picks on Selection Sunday, March 13th.