Image provided by: West Linn High School; West Linn, OR
About The amplifier. (West Linn, Oregon) 1921-current | View Entire Issue (March 1, 2007)
12 4 Marcii Sports Spikerman, Cathcart have no effect on Kevin Love a J on H elmkamp & Z ak L aster co-Sports Editors They're the big names in basketball: Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neil and Kobe Bryant. What would it be like to play against one of them? The Varsity Boys' Basketball Team had the rare opportunity when they stepped on the court against the Lake Oswego Lakers and their shining superstar, Kevin Love, one of the nation's top prep recruits. Love is an absolute beast in the key. Not only is he huge, standing tall at 6'9", he knows how to use his body. "He's a great outlet passer, has a great court sense, and his knowledge of the game is very impressive. That, combined with his skill, makes him a great player," Aaron Downs, WLHS coach, said. Love, a two-time Class 4A player of the year, averaged 29 points and nearly 17 rebounds a game last season as he led the Lakers to their first state championship. Love is going to play for the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), and barring catastrophe, there is no doubt that he'll make it to the National Basketball Association (NBA). There is no way to stop him. He's big, he's strong, he wants to work, and he has a true gift. "We've tried double teaming him, putting one guy in front of him and one guy behind him, but nothing works. Our guys were like flies he swatted off," Downs said. When playing against LO, the team had to pick its poison. If by some miracle chance they were able to shut down Love, which would take an incredibly strong double team (like Shaq and Tim Duncan), the rest of the LO starters, who are also Fans had speculated that, based on the way the Lions played against Lake Oswego on the road, that maybe they would have a chance against them on the home court. Unfortunately, it was Love's show. Lake Oswego won easily 81-54, with Love leading the way with 37 Brenton Spikerman, junior, futilely tries to outreach Laker center Kevin Love on the points and 25 opening tip-off of West Linn's game against Lake Oswego on Feb. 22. From the start, rebounds. Love Love had his way with the Lion defenders. Photo by Jon Helmkamp was two points greatly talented players, shy of having school team in the country. would be open. three times as many points Their starting five players Earlier this year, Lake as West Linn's leading scorer are 7’ 1", 6' 10", and three Justin Monahan who had 13 Oswego played Mater Dei, standing at 6’ 9". Their a team from California who points. starting lineup is taller than is the second-ranked high Brenton Spikerman, junior, any college starting lineup in who was matched up against the country. Against Mater Love in the game against LO, Dei, Love racked up 36 wasn't too enthused about points, 13 rebounds and four the prospect of guarding the blocks. famous Laker. In anticipation "They're a very impressive snowboarders. of the game that night, he team, and Love single "I love my snowboard said sarcastically "Yay, I get to handily demolished them," team^No one wants to get dunked on." Downs said. bicker around and fight, they just want to board," Jali Henry, freshman said. Teammates don't feel ■ K aitlyn R agan Girls' Snowboard Team takes first in State m K ira M atsuoka & K atie C arney Staff Reporters scored first in the women's competition, coming in at 36.524. According to Andrew Riesen, freshman, on most teams older members have a tendency to look down on With the Girls' Snowboard Team coming in first in the State, the entire team made great progress this season because of positive attitudes, teamwork and shared ambition that has guided them. The Snowboard Team had 51 members from all grades including 41 men and 10 women. Members appreciated the experience of joining Bryan Toti, sophomore, performs an Indie grab in a Snowboard competition. He was the group, one of the many young Snowboard Team members who worked to create a successful and they team. Photo courtesy of John Gertler have excelled the younger ones, but on the that gender discrimination as snowboarders while is a problem either. Out Snowboard Team the older widening their friendship members have done nothing of 51 boarders only 10 are circle. female. "I don't mind being less than welcome the Jamie Kelso, coach, was beginners and accept them one of the few girls on the surprised by the friendly team. I feel just as accepted as part of the team. So what acts of teammates toward is it that makes this team as anyone else," Henry said. each other. He also stated different, so cooperative? "No one really cares about that they helped each other picking on us. All they "The fact that we all are and tried to make each other in it together, and support want to do is get up to the better snowboarders. each other," Riesen, said. mountain." As a result of their He believes that everyone The snow boarders hope cooperation, both girls' and works as a team and tries to use this season's progress boys' Varsity teams came as a motivation to continue their hardest. in first place in the January their success into next year. Kelso thinks that and February Slopestyle intimidation is not a "I'm pretty bummed that competitions, as well as the season's over. It’s a ranking first in the February problem for younger fun time just hanging out members of the team Halfpipe competition. In and shredding with your because they are all the January Men's Banked friends. I'm also progressing about motivation. Older ■Slalom, Spencer Smith took in my snowboarding members motivate younger first place with a best time ability," Riesen said. - ones to become better of-35.148. Hana Jacover also Ski Team reflects on season Staff Reporter The Ski Team's season was officially over on Feb. 17. The Girls' Varsity team finished in fifth place and Boys Varsity in ninth at the preliminary races to decide who goes to the State competition. Although none made it to State, the Ski Team had a good season. Competitive skiing is much different than recreational skiing. There are two types of races: slalom and giant slalom. The first consists of a series of poles placed closely together which the skiers must carefully ski through in a zigzag pattern. Giant slalom, on the other hand, is similar but with flags that are placed farther apart. The team practiced about once a week, usually on Thursdays, and races took place on Saturdays. "I feel like I improved ten-fold over the season. Once you can ski a course, you can ski anything," Eli Groman, junior, said. The team, since they must drive so far in order to practice, most days wouldn't get home until about 11 p.m., which would seriously cut into their homework time. However, they still really • enjoy being a part of the „ team. ^ "It's much more fun to ski with your friends than your parents," Groman said. He plans on joining the team again next year. Although none of the team members went on to compete at State, they were very proud of their improvement over the course of the season. "We improved significantly on our speed this year," Nicholle Romero, sophomore, said. There were many seniors on the team last year so this year they are starting fresh with younger members. "The team this year was more of a learning team since most of us are freshman and sophomores," said Groman. They are looking forward to next year when they will have some more experience, and expect to do well. During the off-season it is hard for them to stay on their game since ski season only lasts for a few months out of the year. They try to get in as much practice throughout the spring as possible, and will work to stay in shape during the summer and fall to get ready for next season. ™
