2011
Addition and subtraction of teams along
with new playoff system shake up TRL
T y C larke
one of the toughest leagues
in the state and our non-
league schedule really made a
difference on our placement in
the post-season."
Boys' head soccer coach
Gregory Bean agreed with Lee
that the new playoff system
made a big difference. It
The new 2010-11 Three
Rivers League has new schools
and for some teams, a new
playoff system. Gone are Rex
Putnam and Milwaukie. In
came Canby, and in some
sports, Grant. These
changes were part
of an overhaul of
leagues all across
Oregon. A new
playoff and ranking
system (the Rating
Percentage Index,
or RPI) added new
ingredients to the
fresh season of sports.
The RPI system
applies to football,
boys' soccer, girls'
soccer, volleyball,
boys' basketball, girls'
basketball, baseball
and softball.
"The biggest
change was not just
our league dropping
to six teams, but the
new OSAA's RPI
system," Glen Lee,
girls' head basketball
Photo by Tracey Sitton
coach, said. "Their
Brittany Smith, freshman, attempts a lay up
new system really
over a defender from Canby, a team that was a
put the strength of
newcomer to the Three Rivers League. Adding
schedule/ opponent Canby and Grant along with a new playoff
into play. So West
system transformed the league into a more
Linn competing in
competitive one.
added a ranking system for
all of the teams, and ensured
that each and every team had
a postseason game. Bottom
teams in leagues throughout
the state now participate in
a play-in game to see if they
advance to the State Playoffs.
Strength of schedule has
become a huge part of the
ranking system.
"It is rewarding the super
conferences, like the Metro
League," Bean said.
Consequently, leagues with
better teams achieve a higher
ranking. The new RPI system
has changed the way teams
approach preseason and out of
league play.
"Preseason games used to
be a tune-up," Bean said. "Now,
they're a little more important."
Bean said his team plans
to take on more challenging
preseason games. Next season,
included in the Lions' schedule
is Sunset, a team that plays in
the Metro League.
Both Rex Putnam and
Milwaukie were moved
down to 5A classification after
spending years in 6A. To some,
this was a good move for two
teams who traditionally have
been league bottom feeders in
many sports.
"Considering that
Milwaukie and Rex Putnam
Boys 1 Lacrosse Team excels after a
season against high-caiiber competition
J ack L ammebs ____________
Finding strength for the
Boys' Lacrosse Team this
season proved to be a great
challenge. The season began
with tough competition
from top teams including
Colorado's Highlands High
the young team can build on its
mistakes and be successful in
later years," Christian Wilson,
senior attack, said.
The team experienced many
accomplishments this season
including the three game
winning streak against league
Photo by Laurel Massaro
Christian Wilson, senior, chases down Lake Oswego’s Seth Goddin,
junior, in a league battle on May 10. The Lions came away with a
victory in an overtime nail-biter, 10-9, completing a three-game
winning streak before a final regular season loss to Lakeridge, 5-10.
School and Arizona's Brophy
Preparatory School. From
there, the team picked up
momentum and on May
18, the team won its play-in
game for the playoffs against
Harney, 17-4. The team
continued its success on May
20, defeating Tigard, 11-4,
before losing their second
round playoff game against
Wilsonville 7-8.
’1 feel disappointed to go
out this way, but hopefully
on May 3, Oregon City ,17-1,
on May 6 and Lake Oswego
,10-9, on May 10, which
was especially memorable
according to Christian Wilson,
senior.
"The big win against Lake
Oswego was a huge confidence
booster," Wilson said. "We had
a very young team and tried to
bring that same intensity like
we did against them."
Despite tough losses to
Oregon Episcopal School by
one goal, 9-8, and the final
game against Wilsonville,
the team's perseverance was
apparent according to Wilson.
However, it was through the
addition of tough teams that
depth was added to the team's
level of focus looking forward
to the playoffs according to
head coach Mark Flood and
members of the team.
"We always play the
best teams in Oregon and
Washington. We added
Arizona and Colorado to that
list," Flood said.
What may have been
a challenging start led to a
confidence of the team in
the Three Rivers League,
clinching third place despite
a final regular season loss to
Lakeridge, 10-5.
Another aspect of the
team's preparation and
conditioning was the dynamic
nature of the team's regimen.
"We always pick up new
drills and adjust what we do
to the kids we have," Flood
said. According to Flood, the
efficiency was derived from
the adaptation of practice to
bring out and improve upon
the areas of potential.
Although the team didn't
make it as far into the playoffs
as last season, the program
is still growing. With only 10
graduating seniors, they hope
to improve even further in the
future.
had struggled for so many
years, I thought it was good
that they were placed in
another classification where
they could be a bit more
competitive," Lee said.
Canby joined the Three
Rivers League with a
reputation for being historically
good at most sports. It added a
new level of challenge for the
teams. Along with the Cougars
came Grant. Although they
didn't join the league in every
sport, the team presented
another hurdle for TRL teams
to clear. For example, in boys'
tennis, Grant brought the third
ranked singles player in the
State from last year. In track
and field, head coach Joe Cemy
said he knew before the season
that the level of difficulty for
his team had risen.
"At the start of the season I
knew our league that is already
very strong just got stronger
with the addition of Canby and
Grant," Cemy said. "I think
the change in league members
has made it tougher for us in
terms of placing at districts and
qualifying for state."
The new addition of the
teams has raised the level of
competition seemingly across
the board. Both Bean and
Cemy agreed that the new
make-up of the league will
improve the teams.
"The changes have been
positive," Cemy said. "Better
competition makes you better
in the long run."
"Historically, the Three
Rivers League has been good
so I think it will help us in the
end," Bean said.
Girls'Tennis Team powers
through season matches
The Girls' Tennis Team
went into Districts with a
winning attitude, hoping to
gain momentum toward State.
Four players that advanced to
the State Tournament include
Emily Erbin, junior, Natalie
Smith, senior, Emily Shea,
senior and Mackenzie Coronel,
lucky to make it [to State], but
I'm really excited about it,"
Coronel said. "At State, I guess
I'm looking forward to the
competition because I know
that everyone there is really
good, so I have to step up my
game."
The state tournament
takes place May 19-21
and Ounaphom has high
sophomore.
expectations for the team's two
D anny M c G arry
Erbin and Smith, who were
seeded first, won every match
at Districts, even against their
own teammates, Coronel and
Shea. The duo took home first
place, and hope to continue
their success at State. Smith
returned to the team this
year after tearing her anterior
cruciate ligament (ACL) last
doubles teams.
"Win or lose, everyone's
putting in 110 percent,"
Ounaphom said. "We're going
to fight for points."
Although the two doubles
teams are continuing to State,
unfortunately singles player
Amanda Wagner, senior, did
not.
Photo by Laurel Massaro
Emily Erbin, junior, prepares for the State Meet during a practice on
May 18. Erbin and Natalie Smith, senior, faced Lakeridge, scoring
6-4 and 6-0 respectively in the first round of the State tournament.
They lost in the quarterfinals to West Salem, 6-1 and 6-1.
season.
"Natalie made a huge
comeback after being out
last year. Emily also really
improved this year," Ke
Ounaphom, head coach,
said. "Made and Emily really
improved this year because
they played year-round
tennis."
Coronel and Shea, seeded
sixth at Districts, placed third
after beating every team except
their teammates Erbin and
Smith.
"This year, I was really
"Amanda is back this
season, and has shown a lot
of leadership," Alyssa Heath,
junior, said. Wagner was
seeded fifth in singles at the
District match. According
to Coronel, regardless of the
team's finishes at Districts or
State, they will have improved
immensely throughout the
season.
"This season was
outstanding. Our team became
more competitive during
our (league) matches and at
Districts," Coronel said.