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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 7, 2017)
schools december7 2017 VHS Winter Sports Preview “If our fans will just come watch a few times, I think they will start to under- stand the sport better and will get excited about it,” says Barnes. “This is going to be a very exciting season.” Boys Basketball – The Loggers head into this season with a lot of questions after graduating a core group of five seniors last year. Head coach David Weller has a solid group of eight play- ers that lack a lot of varsity experience, but should make up for some of that with speed, quickness, and athleticism. “We’re not going to win games this year on just skill or by just show- ing up, like we’ve been able to the last few years,” says Weller. “We’re going to have to go out and get after it and win ugly sometimes. We’re going to have to scrap and fight and play hard in every game this year.” Leading the team is senior Clay Sullivan who will conclude an outstand- ing four year career as a Logger varsity player. Sullivan should once again be considered one of the top players in the state, after helping lead the Loggers to the state title two years ago as a sopho- more, where he was named First Team All-Tournament. He followed that up last season by earning player of the game honors twice for the Loggers who finished sixth at the State Tournament, and being named Second Team All- Tournament. Sullivan will, as expected, be the focus on offense and combines a deadly outside shot with speed and quickness going to the basket, along with 6-4 height to provide some rebounding around the rim. “It’s Clay’s team this year and he’s going to shoot the ball more than anybody else on the team,” says Weller. Junior Jakob Handegard will also provide some height at 6-4 and help around the rim, but also has a nice outside shot that will help keep defenses honest. Senior Gaven Everett will pro- vide a bit more bulk and strength in the post. Both senior Andrew Vazquez and sophomore Gunnar Harral are quick and athletic; Harral may come off the bench sometimes to be a defensive specialist and provide a spark. Sophomore Kale Sullivan looks like he is going to handle point guard duties this year, which al- lows the team to create more plays for older brother Clay. Senior Brendyn Mullikin, an all-around outstanding athlete who 11 continued from page 10 wrestled last year, and exchange student Nicola Biondi, provide some needed depth. The Loggers will face a tough task in the Northwest League this sea- son, with Columbia Christian, who beat the Loggers twice in the regular season and in their final game at the State Tour- nament last season, along with Faith Bible and City Christian. “I expect us to make it into one of the playoff spots from our league and hopefully we’re playing well at the end of the season and we’re the team no one wants to see at the end of the year,” said Weller. The Loggers opened the season with a dominant 91-52 win against an overmatched Gervais side in the opening round of the Vernonia Tournament on December 1 and followed that up with a 57-46 loss to Umatilla, who is ranked #3 in 3A in early season polls. The Loggers lost 57-56 to #4 ranked Kennedy in a non-league home match-up on December 5, and play Portland Christian December 7. They open Northwest League play with away games at City Christian on December 12 and Knappa December 14, and then return home against Neah-Kah-Nie on December 16. The Loggers will play in the St. Paul Tournament on December 21-22. Girls Basketball – The Lady Loggers are in a bit of a rebuilding year and have a mixed group of mostly young players that do have a fair amount of varsity ex- perience. Head coach Jim Krahn has some Jordan Walters returning talent to form a core group of eight players, but not a lot of depth be- yond that. “We should be very competi- tive, but it’s a bit of an unknown because we don’t have a lot of starters returning from last year, but we do have players with varsity experience, so we should do OK,” said Krahn. The Lady Loggers have some good height on the squad with post play- ers Morgan Harral, a senior, and sopho- more Lauren Ely. Freshman Jenna Han- degard may swing between varsity and the JV squad. The wings are very athletic and quick with junior Joyce Everett, sophomores Jordan Walters and Jessica Butcher, and freshman Jayden Hartman. “Jayden is very quick and I think she is going to be a very effective player for us,” says Krahn. “Both Joyce and Jor- dan have really improved since last year.” Senior Courtney Barklow may share point guard duties with Everett and Walters. Exchange student Anja Kostic provides some needed depth. “We have good leadership and the team has come together pretty well,” says Krahn. “We have the potential to be a good team and we should make the playoffs. The Lady Loggers opened their season with a 41-25 loss to Gervais in the opening round of the Vernonia Tour- nament on December 1, and followed that up with a 36-20 win against River- dale on December 2. Their non-league schedule continued with a 67-21 home loss against #4 Kennedy on Decem- ber 5. They play Portland Christian at home December 7. The Lady Loggers start Northwest League play with away games at City Christian on December 12 and Knappa December 14, and then return home to face Neah-Kah-Nie on December 16. The Lady Loggers will compete in the St. Paul Tournament on December 21-22. Vernonia School Board Meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month. The next School Board Meeting is scheduled for December 14 at 6:00 pm in the Schools Library. 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Emergency Number (503) 397-6470 700 Weed Ave. Vernonia, OR
