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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 7, 2016)
10 schools january7 2016 VHS Winter Sports Report Boys Basketball – The Loggers are in first place in the Northwest League with a 4-0 league record and a 9-1 record overall. Following an opening season loss to Clatskanie, Vernonia has run off nine straight wins, including a 79-18 victory over Faith Bible on Tuesday, January 5. The Loggers are currently ranked #3 in the OSAA 2A poll. The current win streak includes a 73-30 home win over Delphian, a tough 78-73 victory at City Christian and a 91-35 win at home against Neah- Kah-Nie. Over the Winter Holiday the Loggers easily won the St. Paul Holiday Tournament with a 78-37 victory over Perrydale followed by a 93-40 win over host St. Paul. Head Coach David Weller says that in spite of several injuries, the team has been playing very well, and has made the most of the exceptional depth on the roster to fill minutes. “That’s what’s so great about this team, we have so many guys who can play in so many spots, if one guy goes down the next guy steps up and fills his spot,” said Weller. Chemistry was a question for Weller heading into the season. “We have a lot of player that can score and the chemistry is starting to come togeth- er,” says Weller. “We haven’t had any problems with guys wanting to make sure they get their 20 points. Right now it’s just about the team and about win- ning for them.” Weller says the team in work- ing to play smarter and eliminate the high number of turnovers they are creat- ing and also to improve their toughness, both physically and mentally. “We want to be that tough team that no one wants to play and that intimidates you when we step on the floor,” said Weller. Weller says the team is continu- ing to improve even through numerous blow outs of opponents. “It’s allowed us to have success doing things that we’re working on in practices,” said Weller. “When you play in games that are tight and close you don’t always get to see the success of those things. So there were a lot of things that were positive for us in those games.” Sophomore Clay Sullivan con- tinues to be the team leader and offen- sive focus on the court. “Clay always plays 110 percent and always figures out a way to make an impact on the game,” says Weller. “He leads by example in practice and in games. He always goes hard.” Weller says Sullivan is also de- veloping a better court and game sense. He is understanding the flow of the game and taking charge of the team when it’s needed. Brett Jones has earned a starting spot because of his on court hustle and scrappy play. He has also developed a dangerous outside shot. “He’s been our hottest three point shooter recently,” says Weller. Arne Schiemann is improving his game and becoming a weapon. At 6’ 9” he’s figuring out how to use his height to be successful and has been get- ting more physical under the basket. At 6’ 6” Robert Conner is work- ing his way into the lineup after nursing a knee injury early in the season. His court leadership has been a plus and he also provides a tough and, at times, dominant presence around the hoop. “He’s been a difference maker for us,” says Weller. Weller says Francesco Milan has been a pleasant surprise and contin- ues to come off the bench and provides good court vision and has been a solid player in recent games. Senior Jared Medearis has pro- vided relief for Sullivan at point guard and has improved his game this year. Weller says he al- ways plays hard and has been doing a better job protecting the ball and seeing the court. Early season start- ers Tristan Adams and Marc Henke have both missed time due to knee injuries but are working their way back into the lineup. “This roster is so deep and every one of these guys is going to get a chance in every game,” says Weller. “We have the luxury of go- ing with the hot player or the player that goes in and makes a differ- ence. They know when they get in there, they need to make their minutes count. We want them to make us HAVE to play them.” The Loggers will play the next four league games away at Knappa, Co- lumbia Christian, Nestucca and Gaston. On January 19 they return home to face Country Christian before traveling on January 23 to face #7 Western Menno- nite. Wrestling – The Loggers took second place at the Haggerty Invitational in Nestucca with Jake Harbour and Mekhi Williams both taking first, Nick Bennett taking third, and Storm Henson finish- ing fourth. At the Clatskanie Tournament and the Bob Bishop Invitational the team struggled against what head coach Chris Barnes says was some very strong com- petition. At Claskanie Jake Harbour bat- tled back at 152 to win the consolation bracket and take third after an opening round loss. “Those tournaments against strong competition are real eye openers from a coaching stand point because it points out a lot of things that we need to be working on,” says Barnes. Amanda Sicard continues to impress at 113, especially when she wrestles against other girls. Barnes says she has pinned every girls she’s faced so far this season. Kailia Jackson and Katie Good- man placed fifth and sixth at 106 at the Bob Bishop Invitational. 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Girls Basketball – The Lady Loggers are on an eight game winning streak after defeating league rival Faith Bible 46-23 on Tuesday, January 5. Vernonia is now ranked #3 in OSAA 2A and are the second highest scoring team in 2A. They sit in first place in the Northwest League with a 9-1 over all record and a 3-0 record in league play. The Loggers won the St. Paul Holiday Tournament with a 63-19 win over Perrydale and a 44-41 victory over a good St. Paul team that head coach Steve Whiteman says are a contender to go to state. “That was a big game for us,” said Whiteman. The Lady Loggers also had two league wins before the holiday break, defeating Neah-Kah-Nie 52-30 at home and winning at City Christian 47- 32. Whiteman says his team might be a surprise around the state because they performed so well last year. “Ev- erybody was sure that we couldn’t pos- sibly have anybody left this year,” says Whiteman. “Our girls are out to prove that we’ve still got it.” Whiteman stresses that team- work has been a strength for his squad this season. ‘It’s really about the team.” he explained. “We have a lot of good players that can shoot well, yet they’ll give up their shot if there is a better one.” Whiteman says Paige Smith is as good a post player as he’s ever had and that 6’ 1” junior Megan Ely contin- continued on page 12 We saddle shoe. Do you? 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