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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. ™