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VHS Winter Sports Preview
Boys Basketball—New head coach
David Weller inherits a team that went
to the state tournament last year. That
roster included four key seniors who
graduated that contributed heavily to
last year’s success, but Weller enters this
season with a strong senior contingent
and high expectations for his team.
This year’s Logger team entered
the season ranked third in the state in
the 2A preseason poll. That gives you
a hint of what was expected from this
year’s team and the Loggers have not
disappointed in early non-league com-
petition, going 5-1.
With several key returning
players who saw significant playing
time, Coach Weller has a veteran squad
that has been entertaining to watch and
should make some noise come playoff
time. Weller’s seven seniors, including
three foreign exchange students, gives
him veteran leadership, experience, and
loads of talent.
Weller says he will use his teams
quickness to run an up-tempo offense
that will provide scoring opportunities
for several different players. Weller also
intends to use a pressing defense.
Center Austin Edgar, at 6’6”
gives the Loggers a formidable presence
in the middle. Power forward Austin
Cuttright, at 6’4” provides another big
body and scoring threat on the front line.
Point guard Craig Weller brings speed
and tenacious defense and is an offen-
sive scoring threat. Exchange student
Paul Jiranek provides quickness, runs
the offense from the point guard position
and can score as well, and Alex Lembke,
another exchange student, has offered an
offensive spark off the bench.
Seniors Byron Weller will start
at guard and provide strong defense,
Jerrid Johnston is a defensive specialist
who will also will see significant playing
time. Junior Jesse Edgar is the backup
center and Kendrick Leverton could
play some guard for the varsity. Ex-
change student Finn Hoeck, senior Josh
Butcher and junior Jake Titus round out
the varsity squad.
The Loggers lost a heartbreaker
at 3A Warrenton to open the season
on November 30. Warrenton made a
last second three point shot to defeat
the Loggers 54-53. The Loggers then
hosted Lowell, Toledo and Banks in a
two-day home tournament on December
2 and 3, defeating Lowell 99-26 in the
opener, before pulling out a tough win
52-49 against Banks in the final.
On December 6 the Loggers de-
feated Oregon Episcopal 48-28. The
Loggers finished their non-league sched-
ule at home on December 8 against
Portland Adventist with a 76-69 victory
and then defeated Clatskanie 69-59 on
December 9.
The Loggers open league play
with a five game win streak against
Gaston on Tuesday December 13, travel
to Knappa on December 16 and return
home against Gervais on December 20.
Wrestling—The Vernonia Loggers
return this season with a deep and ex-
perienced core group of wrestlers and
head coach Chris Wolfe had high hopes
heading into the season. Those hopes
were fulfilled when the Loggers brought
home the first place trophy from the
T he C hristmas T ree...
A lasting tradition and part of the warmth
and joy of the holiday season for all of us.
december13
2011
17
Amir Habibuloev,
Ty Talantov, and
Kristian
Wred-
stroem are all
learning quickly.
Matt and Jake
Bringman,
Bill
Organ,
Dylan
Taylor,
Mikol
Pihl,
Sammy
Morgan and Jacob
Levenseller will
all compete for
mat time. This
looks to be a very
Jake Barnes finished second at 170 at the Harrisburg Tournament. deep and talented
squad that should
twelve-team Harrisburg Eagle Classic
Tournament on December 2 to open perform well as a team, especially at
tournaments. As Assistant coach, Chris
their season.
This season sees a change in the Barnes, says, “Wrestling Tournaments
weight classifications—the new weights are won by the points earned by the un-
are: 106, 113, 120, 126, 132, 138, 145, known soldiers.”
Last year, Dooley won his
152, 160, 170, 182, 195, 220, and 285.
The Loggers have a roster second district championship and quali-
packed with talent in the middle weight fied for the state tournament; Benes and
classes but have a few holes at the lower Barnes also both qualified for state with
and upper weights. Returning seniors
continued on page 18
Joe Benes, Shylo
Dooley, Quinn
Johansen, Dillon
Dethlefs, Jake
Barnes,
Jake
Stevens
and
Brett Benes will
lead the team.
Underclassmen
Damian Young,
Ethan Johnston,
and
Dawson
Shay also figure
to play key roles.
Foreign
ex-
change students Jake Stevens took first place at the Harrisburg Tournament at 182.
Reward $500
The Northwest Trail Alliance is offering a reward of up to
$500 for information leading to an arrest and the recovery
of their ST240 trail construction machine and trailer.
Oregon State Police (OSP) is investigating the case.
Between 4:30 PM on November 29, and 7:00 AM, November
30, unknown suspect(s) forced entry into an enclosed
maintenance compound at “Stub” Stewart State Park and stole
NWTA’s utility trailer containing the ST240 and various tools.
Merry Christmas and
Happy New Year from
Senator Betsy Johnson
The enclosed utility trailer is 18’ gray Xtera dual axle with
“Northwest Trail Alliance” black logo with IMBA logo on both
sides of trailer. The ST240 with various tools and accessories
are inside the trailer. Trailer most likely has had logos removed
or covered. Distinctive feature of trailer is right rear fender is
dented and slightly bent, and the rear door has custom heavy
duty hinge.
License plate: U449427 (may have changed plates)
Call hotline at 800-452-7888 immediately if you see the trailer
or have information.