June 2010, AAU Summerslam
This past weekend the South Sound program played in the AAU Summerslam event in Seattle, Wa. Once again the South Sound players got off to a slow start losing their first 2 games of the tournament, in which they were leading in both games. Sunday however was another day and this South Sound team was nto going quietly into the night. First up was Frazier Valley and their three point shooting, today was not going to be their day. South Sound jumped out early and never looked back. In fact they led by double digits the entire game, perhaps the energetic start gets credited to newly acquired Josh Traylor (Mount Tahoma), who got a dunk to start the game. In the second game, it was a knock down battle that ended up going to overtime after a key steal and a great follow up shot by once again Josh Traylor who's put back sealed the deal for South Sound with 9 seconds to go. Many thanks go out to the family and friends who supported the players this past weekend and we hope to see more of you come July when the team prepares for its toughest battles to date.
May 2010, Memorial Day Weekend - NW Championships
During the Memorial Day Weekend NW Championships the South Sound program got off to a slow start losing its first 3 games between the 2 teams but made a huge rebound and went on to go 5-0 in their final 5 games of the weekend. Strong play by several players were the highlights of the tournament but special recognition goes out to our 3 new young players who are joining us for the first time. All 3 come to us from Wilson High School in Tacoma and they made a huge splash with their debut, especially on the defensive end. So special thanks to Ben Matz, Jawan Obsi, and Taylor Felcin, Ben and Jawan will be joining the South Sound traveling team as they go to play in Las Vegas in both the Nike - Main Event and Starvision sports -centerstage. We wish them luck.
May 2010
This past weekend, the South Sound players pulled off major upsets by qualifying for the Washington Premier League playoffs following a come from behind win Saturday night vs. WS Pride. Following a shocking blow out loss to the Tacoma Knights the South Sound players looked to be shell shocked and fell down 15 points with less than 7 minutes remaining in their contest with WS Pride, when suddenly the tide finally turned. Following a monster dunk by Deion Judie (Wilson HS) and unbelievable guard play by Phoenix Waters (Wilson) the south sound team rallied and came from behind to win by 2 and propel themselves into the playoffs.
In their first round meeting, South Sound found themselves matched win FOH, and from the start the emotion that carried them to a win the night before continued. Led by dominate all around play from Johnny Harbottle (Bellarmine Prep), aggressive offensive determination by Steven Pressley (Mount Tahoma), and gritty performances by Chad Pardue (Bonney Lake) and Ian Ward (Port Angeles) off the bench, South Sound blew out FOH by double digits.
In the second round South Sound found themselves paired with a ECBA team who had blown them out by 30 points just one week before. But that was not holding them back, jumping out to a 14-0 lead the South Sound players never looked back, even with the loss of guard Jake Wisness (Bellarmine Prep) who took a tournament ending fall early in the contest the players rallied around and dominated ECBA from start to finish. Key players providing energy both on and off the court were Donovan Howard (Mount Tahoma) - missing from early 1st round action, Phoenix Waters (Wilson) who was pure high octane from start to finish, and Eric Franklin (Mount Tahoma) who although was not active was a huge lift from the bench.
Championship
In the championship vs. ECBA Pioneers, south sound jumped out to an early 3 point lead at half time but quickly saw the lead disappear and their emotional boost that had been pushing them for the last three games finally have its light dimmed. In one last ditch effort to mount a comeback the team pulled together behind a clutch 3 point shot by Kaden Krumpos (Graham-Kapowsin) and a heroic rebounding effort by Johnny Harbottle (Bellarmine Prep) that just fell short. Losing for the second straight time in the championship in 2 years, the South Sound coaching staff believes the program is beginning to turn the heads of many spectators. We the staff would like to thank all of the families and supporters for the strong words of encouragements and cheers over this weekends games, you really were the fuel to this teams fire. Thank You
March 2010
Congratulations to Jonnie Washburn, Taylor Rozumny and Cody Shackett(Cascade Christian HS) for making it to the 1A State Tournament
Congratulations to Mikey Hope and Perris Jackson (Wilson HS) for making in to the 4A State tournament.
Congratulations to Imar White and Marcus Matthews (Bellarmine Prep) for reaching the 4A West Central District Playoffs.
Congratulations to Steven Pressley and Eric Franklin (Mount Tahoma) for reaching the 4A West Central District Playoffs.
Congratulations to Patrick Ling (Clover Park HS) for reaching the 3A West Central District Playoffs.
Congratulations to Ian Ward (Port Angeles HS) for making in to the 3A West Central District Playoffs.
Congratulations to Nathan Braun and Kyle Bobbitt (Bonney Lake HS) for reaching the 3A SPSL Playoffs.
February 2010
We here at South Sound would
like to wish the outgoing senior class all the best in their future
endeavors. It has been an honor to have you as a member of the South
Sound family.
Jonnie Washburn - Cascade Christian HS
13.9 avg. pts (22 games) - 26 pts vs. Charles Wright on 2/12/10
Mikey Hope - Wilson HS
13.7 avg. pts (23 games) - 26 pts vs. Central Kitsap on 1/08/10
Kolby Krumpus - Graham-Kapowsin HS
13.1 avg. pts (14 games) - 29 pts vs. Kentlake on 12/02/09
Nathan Braun - Bonney Lake HS
12.3 avg. pts (20 games) - 23 pts vs. Peninsula on 1/22/10
Patrick Ling - Clover Park HS
10.5 avg. pts (19 games) - 18 pts vs. Peninsula on 1/05/10
Anthony Little - Foss HS
8.4 avg. pts (22 games) - 23 pts vs. Battle Ground on 1/15/10
Chase Cooley - Emerald Ridge HS
6.6 avg. pts (18 games) - 16 pts vs. Rogers on 12/12/09
Perris Jackson - Wilson HS
6.0 avg. pts (24 games) - 15 pts vs. Bethel on 12/21/09
Kyle Bobbitt - Bonney Lake HS
4.2 avg. pts (18 games) - 10 pts vs. Sumner on 1/15/10
Imar White - Bellarmine Prep HS
4.1 avg. pts (22 games) - 10 pts vs. Curtis on 12/01/09
Marcus Matthews - Bellarmine Prep HS
1.6 avg. pts (22 games- 1min avg a game) - 11 pts vs. Kennedy on 12/03/09
Taylor Rozumny - Cascade Christian HS
Injured for season
Austin Thompson - WAVA
JULY 2009
This past week the South Sound players
wrapped up their 2009 spring/summer season with an impressive showing
on the grandest stage, Las vegas. Upon going down to the "AAU West
Coast Nat'l " and "Starvision's Centerstage" the south sound players
were coming off an dismal performance at the "NW Premier Showcase"
where their only win (A huge Win) came at the expense of Rotary 17U,
from there the team was unable to find their winning form again.
However things would be different in Vegas...
The SSBA players arrived in Las Vegas and quickly had to get to work,
within a few hours of arriving they were on the court in a knock down
battle that started with SSBA taking a 23-3 lead into the 2nd quarter
only to see it vanish with 2 min to go in the game. Behind some huge
defensive stops by Perris Jackson (Wilson) and Imar White (Bellarmine
Prep) and clutch shooting by Cody Shackett (Cascade Christian) the SSBA
team pushed their lead back to 20 and closed the deal. In their 2nd
game the SSBA players would once again be put to the test after
starting out fast, having to put on their defensive shoes and go to
work. This time it was a team effort with Kyle Bobbitt (Bonney Lake)
taking some HUGE offensive charges, Cody Shackett (Cascade Christian)
putting together a scoring output, Mikey Hope (Wilson) hitting clutch
free throws, and Perris Jackson (Wilson) once again coming up with a
key steal and free throw to seal the deal with a 1 point victory.
As the SSBA players entered game 3 the team seemed to feeling
pretty good about their play so far but controversy would soon follow.
In game 3 SSBA was to face Stockton, CA (also 2-0 at time) but Stockton
was nowhere to be found and SSBA found themselves waiting an hour to
play, when Stockton finally arrived the SSBA players had punishment in
mind and their form came in a 3 point win where Stockton had a chance
to tie but came up short and SSBA was granted its revenge. Key
performances came from the big man Derek Burgess (Emerald Ridge) who
played like a man possessed earning a double double, Marcus Matthews
(Bellarmine Prep) dominating the boards, Nathan Braun (Bonney Lake) who
finally found his shot again, and Kolby Krumpus (Graham-Kapowsin) who
began to find his form once again.
The next 2 games would come down to the team benches and the
SSBA players would not disappoint. Showcasing their talents were role
players like Steven Pressley (Mount Tahoma) who became a factor on and
off the boards, Eric Franklin (Mount Tahoma) providing a spark at the
defensive end, Austin Thompson (WAVA) playing like a solid post once
again, and Joe Barsh, Imar White and Marcus Matthews (Bellarmine Prep)
showing what 3 players from the same program can do when they are on
the same page. This trio took over the game at 1 point and led the SSBA
charge back to a 10+ point lead. That afternoon all the coaching staff
could do was sit back and recieve text message after text message
asking the question, "Are you guys really 5-0 and playing in a
Championship game?" The answer, "This team is on fire and playing the
best basketball of the year."
The title game would pit SSBA versus the host team "Got Spirit"
and would see the game go back and forth in a seesaw battle over the
course of the four quarters with both team taking substantial leads but
unfortunately it would key free throws by "Got Spirit" and a
devastating missed layin that would lead to SSBA first loss of the
week. With 7 seconds to go, down by 3 SSBA called a timeout and coach
Esser drew up an inbounds play. Out of the timeout, "Got Spirit"
doubled off the ball forcing Cody Shackett to toss up a deep 3 point
shot that didn't find its mark and SSBA was denied its 2nd title of the
season (earlier lost in Premier tournament finals). Following the "AAU
West Coast Nat'ls" SSBA went on to play against some of the toughest
and best players in the nation at "Starvision's Centerstage" where they
would play very competively getting a HUGE win in their 1st game but
eventually would just have nothing left in their reserve tank after
their exhausting first 7 games. We as a staff were very impressed with
the players performances in Las Vegas and believe they have opened the
doors to many opportunities for themselves. We want to thank the
parents and family members who joined us on this journey and hope for
the younger players to work with them again next season.
On a personal note, this has been the most impressive showing
for a team in the history of SSBA, congratulations and thank you for
all of your hard work.
Coach Kelley, Coach Medina, and Coach Esser
