Spartans’ season of firsts ends in eighth place at state
March 9, 2010
Cooper Pelluer (11), Skyline senior forward, and senior forward Corey Hutsen double-team Mead’s Taylor Farnsworth during the second quarter of the Spartans’ battle for fifth and eighth place in the state 4A tournament at the Tacoma Dome. By Don Borin
The 2009-2010 season was a season of firsts for the Skyline High School boys basketball team. Skyline brought home its first tournament trophy — Barlow Trails Classic — won its first 4A KingCo Conference championship and placed at the state tournament for the first time.
And after placing eighth in state, the Spartans will get to hang their first banner on the wall in the gym, coach J. Jay Davis said.
Skyline went 2-2 in the state 4A tournament in the Tacoma Dome March 3-6 to finish its most successful season in the school’s 13-year history.
“Twenty-two wins and placing at state, it’s obviously the best season in school history and we’re very proud of that,” Davis said. “Our goal was just to build the best program we can.”
As is every team’s dream that enters the state tournament, Skyline had aimed at the state title. But the prospect was cut short when the Spartans lost its first-round game to eventual runner-up Jackson, 45-43. Read more
Eagles take sixth at state tourney
March 9, 2010
Mackenzie Schiltz, Issaquah junior guard, drives with a steal from Garfield’s Shaunice Robinson (right) during the third quarter in the 3A state tournament battle for third and sixth place March 6 at the Tacoma Dome. Issaquah was defeated by the Lady Bulldogs, 71-54. By Greg Farrar
The Issaquah High School girls basketball team overcame a variety of adversity throughout the season, especially in the final weeks of the season. When the season finally concluded March 6 in the 4A state tournament, the Eagles had many reasons to be proud of their accomplishments.
Issaquah took sixth place in the tournament last week in the Tacoma Dome to finish out the season with a 23-6 record. The Eagles had to win four loser-out games just to reach state.
In the Eagles’ final game, they lost to 4A KingCo Conference rival Garfield 71-54 for third place. Prior to that game, Issaquah defeated Lewis & Clark, of Spokane, 51-49 and Lake Stevens 67-47 before falling to eventual state champion Auburn Riverside 58-40 in the semifinals.
“I’m proud of the girls. Great effort and a heck of a run,” Issaquah coach Kathy Gibson said. Read more
Eagles fly into state semifinals
March 5, 2010
NEW — 11:58 a.m. March 5, 2010
The Issaquah High School girls basketball team hoped it would get a shot at Auburn Riverside in this year’s 4A state tournament.
The Eagles got their wish.
Issaquah, 23-4, tangles with top-ranked Auburn Riverside, 27-0, at 7 p.m. Friday in the semifinals at the Tacoma Dome.
The Eagles reached the semifinals after flying by Lake Stevens 67-47 Thursday in the quarterfinals.
Mackenzie Schiltz hit six three-pointers and finished with a game-high 20 points to lead Issaquah. Her six trys were one shy of the tournament record.
Domi Mendezona scored 14 points and Maddey Pflaumer had 12 points for Issaquah.
The Eagles, who shot 47.1 percent, led from start to fnish.
Issaquah lost to Auburn Riverside last year in game for fourth and seventh place. The Eagles, who led through most of the game, have been eager for another shot at Auburn Riverside.
Spartans stay alive in state tournament
March 4, 2010
NEW — 2:07 p.m. March 4, 2010
The Skyline High School boys basketball team stayed alive in the 4A state basketball tournament with a 55-44 victory against U.C. Davis, of Yakima, in the consolation round Thursday.
Skyline 21-4, plays Stanwood at 11 a.m. Friday in another consolation contest.
The Spartans outscored Davis 25-15 in the fourth quarter. Kasen Williams led the Spartans with 19 points and Cory Hutsen had 16 points.
Skyline, the KingCo Conference’s top seed, fell into the consolation bracket when the Spartans lost to Jackson 45-43 in the opening round Wednesday. Skyline had the lead going into the final minute of the game but had back-to-back turnovers. Jackson scored off both turnovers to win the game.
Will Parker led the Spartans with 14 points and Hutsen had 11 points.
In other first-round action, Eastlake defeated Lake Stevens 69-48. Michael Russo, of Eastlake, led all players with 21 points. Eastlake plays Kentwood at 8:30 p.m. Thursday in the quarterfinals.
Eagles win state opener
March 3, 2010
NEW — 2:20 p.m. March 3, 2010
The Issaquah community has an old tradition of logging. The Issaquah High School girls basketball team has been pretty adept at falling tall timber, too. The Eagles ran into an taller opponent, which is nothing new lately, and dropped Lewis & Clark of Spokane, 51-49 in the opening round of the 4A State Tournament March 3 in the Tacoma Dome
Issaquah, 22-4, plays Lake Stevens March 4 in the quarterfinals at 3:30 p.m. Lake Stevens defeated Rogers of Puyallup 52-48.
Maddey Pflaumer capped a fourth-quarter comeback for Issaquah when she hit two free throws with six seconds left to put the Eagles into the lead.
Skyline boys win KingCo basketball title
March 2, 2010
Kasen Williams leads Spartans past Kangs 52-42
Skyline High School’s Kasen Williams pulls up for a jumper in the first quarter Feb. 26 against Lake Washington. By Christopher Huber
Kasen Williams, one of the most sought-after football players in the country, continues to prove he’s not just good at catching a football or earning high-jump titles. The junior is playing a huge part in Skyline High School’s basketball success, too.
Basketball Roundup
March 2, 2010
The Skyline High School Spartans are one of the hottest teams entering the 4A State Tournament, which begins March 3 in the Tacoma Dome. Read more
Instant gridiron classic
December 8, 2008
Spartans fight off feisty Eagles to win fourth championship in school history
Skyline players hoist the state 4A championship football trophy after their 20-15 victory over Issaquah Dec. 5 at the Tacoma Dome. Photo by Greg Farrar.
As the Skyline High School football team exited the field at the Tacoma Dome late Dec. 5, someone handed Ryan Somers the trophy they’d all worked so hard for.
As the Skyline High School football team exited the field at the Tacoma Dome late Dec. 5, someone handed Ryan Somers the trophy they’d all worked so hard for.
No one seemed to be worried about Somers dropping it — not with the night he’d just had.
The senior’s interception with 2:06 to play helped seal the Spartans’ 20-15 win against rival Issaquah in the Class 4A state championship game. The win capped a second consecutive undefeated season by the Spartans and gave them their fourth state title in school history. Read more
Issaquah, Skyline take their rivalry to new heights
December 8, 2008
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Skyline’s Gino Simone (right) and Issaquah’s Sean Stuby, friends off the field, embrace after the game. Photo by Greg Farrar.
It hadn’t happened before in Washington — two teams from the same school district battling for one state 4A football championship trophy.
Skyline High School, No. 1 in the state all season and ranked as high as No. 6 in the nation, was looking for its second straight undefeated season and second straight state title. Read more
First-half miscues haunt Eagles in loss
December 8, 2008
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Grant Gellatly (5) scores a touchdown for Issaquah in the third quarter as Skyline’s Gino Simone (1) defends and Issaquah quarterback Joey Bradley (7) pumps his fist. Photo by Greg Farrar.
When a pass was tipped by a defender, and then caught by an Issaquah High School wide receiver on a potential game-winning drive, it appeared the Eagles had caught a break.
When a second pass was tipped by two players before being caught by an Issaquah receiver, it started to seem as if the Eagles had seized fate.
Turns out, they hadn’t.
Issaquah outgained favorite Skyline by more than 100 total yards, yet still fell in a 20-15 defeat to the Spartans in the Class 4A state finals Dec. 5 at the Tacoma Dome. Read more
