A5
THE ASTORIAN • SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2020
SPORTS
OBITUARIES
Larry LeRoy Gardner Sr.
Astoria
April 8, 1947 — Nov. 4, 2020
Astoria’s
Aundi Kustura
Astoria’s
Carly Hogan
Seaside’s
Maddi Utti
Seaside’s
Janie Hogan
Seaside’s
Erika Hamer
Clatsop County all-time greatest players
Astoria, Seaside
girls basketball
By GARY HENLEY
The Astorian
Clatsop County’s best girls basket-
ball player ever? She’s still playing.
In a recent informal poll of local
longtime girls basketball coaches, Sea-
side’s Maddi Utti at least won the pop-
ular vote as the all-time best girls bal-
ler in the county.
A 2017 graduate of Seaside High
School, Utti is entering her senior sea-
son at Fresno State University where
the 5-foot-11 forward has already put
together an impressive list of accom-
plishments for the Bulldogs, includ-
ing conference Player of the Year last
season.
In addition to Utti, the top names
joining her on the all-time greatest list
of players in the county include War-
renton’s DeeDee Arnall, Knappa’s
Rene’e Evans , and Astoria’s Aundi
Kustura and Chris Tarabochia.
“Statistically, Maddi Utti is the top
kid from Seaside,”
says Wally Hamer,
longtime coach at Sea-
side. “Just look at what
she’s doing in college.
I respect the heck out
of her.”
In selecting an all-
Wally Hamer
time team in anything,
there’s more to just
records, numbers and awards, Hamer
said.
“As a coach, you always look at
how hard a kid practices, their heart
and how much they give to the team,”
he said. “I look at a lot more than statis-
tics. I look at what a player contributes
to a team, and it goes way beyond what
people see. You have to be there every
day in practice to know what a kid does
and gives to the program.”
After that, the numbers and records
will take care of themselves.
With the help of a few local coach-
ing legends, an all-time list of the
top fi ve Astoria and Seaside athletes
include the following players.
All-time Astoria
Aundi Kustura: A f our-year starter,
Astoria’s all-time leading scorer with
1,136 points, league MVP and fi rst team
all-state as a senior. She took part in the
state tournament all four years. Kustura
played four years at Pacifi c Lutheran
University, where she is tied for third in
the university’s history in 3-point fi eld
goal percentage (.363, 78-for-215), and
is still third in free throw percentage in
a single season (.882, 45-of-51). Kus-
tura was all-Northwest Conference in
2004 and 2005, and team captain her
fi nal three seasons. She was Pacifi c
Lutheran’s Female Athlete of the Year
as a senior.
Carly Hogan: Led Astoria in scoring
and rebounding, and made second team
all-state tournament in 1991, when she
set a new state tournament free throw
record. As a starter at the University of
Portland, she took part in the 1994 and
1995 NCAA tournaments.
Kelli Johnston: League Player of the
Year for the 1993 to 1994 season. She
made the all-state tournament second
team in 1994, fi rst team in 1995.
Amy Reinebach: Before Kustura,
she was Astoria’s all-time leading
scorer. At the University of Portland,
she fi nished her career (1986 to 1990)
as the school’s all-time leader in made
free throws (283, still 10th in school
history). Team MVP during the 1988 to
1989 season, and All-West Coast Con-
ference in 1989 to 1990.
Chris Tarabochia: Astoria was
77-20 in her four varsity years (1978
to 1982), in which she was fi rst team
all-league as a junior and senior. Made
fi rst team all-state tournament in 1981,
second team in 1982, and was the fi rst
in school history to score over 1,000
points (1,013). At Pacifi c University,
Tarabochia still holds school records
for most points in a game, with 40 in
1985 (tied in 2004 by Arnall), most free
throws in a single game (16, 1986) and
most rebounds in a game (24, 1986).
Inducted into the Pacifi c Hall of
Fame in 1995, Tarabochia ranks sec-
ond on the Pacifi c career scoring list
with 1,512 points, second in career
rebounding (822), and currently holds
eight individual or season records. An
NAIA All-American in 1985 to 1986
and all-Northwest Conference three
straight years, she was the fi rst Pacifi c
women’s player to have her number
retired.
All-time Seaside “Maddi Utti is
clearly in my mind the best women’s
player in our history,” said former Gulls
coach Mike Hawes. “Erika Hamer
… unfortunately she was injured her
senior year, but she would’ve been
right up there. And Marla Olstedt was
a great all around player, athletic and
smart.”
As was Kaitlin Lewis, who was
“very good throughout her career,
though injured her junior year,” Hawes
said. “Certainly she with Maddi made a
formidable duo. That fi rst team of Wal-
ly’s last run was very good. We ended
up fi fth, but the state was loaded that
year.”
Maddi Utti: At or near the top of
every list in Seaside girls basketball,
Utti may also be the county’s fi rst
player to reach the WNBA.
Entering her senior year at Fresno
State, Utti was the 2020 Mountain
West Player of the Year, the only player
in Fresno State’s history to win the
award outright.
She started all 32 games (played
SEVENDAY FORECAST FOR ASTORIA
TODAY
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
every minute in seven games) and led
the conference in fi eld goals made
and steals, and ranked third in scoring
average.
Utti led the Lady Gulls to their high-
est fi nish ever just four years ago, cap-
ping a career in which she was selected
all-state all four years. She holds the
all-time Seaside records for points
(1,794), assists (504) and steals (503).
Erika Hamer: All-league (including
league MVP as a junior) her fi rst three
years with the Gulls, before a pre-sea-
son knee injury ended her senior sea-
son. She is Seaside’s career leader in
assists and made 3-pointers. Recovered
to play college ball at the University of
Redlands and Clark College.
“I’m a little biased, but of the best
pure players to come through Sea-
side as a point guard, Erika was prob-
ably the best one,” Hamer, her dad and
coach, said. “I don’t like tooting my
own kid’s horn, but Erika was a great
leader, worked her butt off, and lost her
senior year unfortunately. (In a pre-sea-
son jamboree at Astoria) she had just
made six three’s in a row, came down
on a fast break, and got caught up on
someone’s foot, and her season was
over.”
Janie Hogan: Inducted into the
Clark College Hall of Fame in 2019.
At Clark, she was part of the fi rst team
in school history to go undefeated (33-
0). Hogan was fi rst team all-league,
led league in scoring and rebounding,
and had 33 rebounds in one game. For
Seaside, she was second team all-state
tournament in 1987. She transferred
to Prairie High School in Washington
state for her senior year.
“Maddi, of course, is the No. 1
player out of Seaside,” Hamer said.
“Janie Hogan, who played for me, was
Maddi Utti of the ‘80’s. In just pure tal-
ent, Janie was a phenomenal player.”
Kaitlin Lewis: Second team all-state
in 2014, as well as Cowapa League
MVP and second team all-state tour-
nament. Battled a knee injury while
at Lower Columbia College, and now
serves as an assistant coach at Bushnell
University in Eugene.
Marla Olstedt: Entering her fi rst
year as the Gulls’ coach, Olstedt is one
of the best all-around athletes in Sea-
side history with numerous all-league
or all-state awards in soccer, basketball
and track. She also played at Lower
Columbia College.
Said Hamer, “Janie Hogan was our
best player in the ‘80s; in the ‘90s it was
Erika and Alix (Daggatt), and Maddi in
the 2010s. Kaitlin was a good player,
too. She blew her knee out, but made
it through her senior year, and by the
end of the season she was doing really
well.”
Others in the mix for the all-time
Lady Gulls would be Diane Elliott
(Class of ‘86) and Julie Hought, all-
state tournament in 1978.
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
Larry LeRoy Gardner of Scappoose, with his fi rst
Sr. moved to heaven Nov. wife, Donna Nelson.
In 1975, while working
4, 2020, in the early morn-
at Crown Zeller-
ing hours, at
bach, he met and
Providence Sea-
fell in love with
side
Hospital,
Renee Broder-
with his daugh-
ick, the love of
ter,
Michelle
his life. Together,
Sparks, by his
they had two
side. He was 73
daughters, Jamie
years old.
Madden, of Flor-
Larry
had
ida, and Michelle
been living with
Sparks, of Scap-
many
health
Larry Gardner
poose.
They
issues, but mela-
remained mar-
noma cancer was
ried until Renee’s
the straw that
death in 2010.
fi nally broke the
Larry worked
camel’s back.
hard and played
Larry
was
born April 8, 1947, in Bell- hard. He always provided
ingham, Washington, to for his family. He also
Roy and Jacqueline Gard- loved helping people, and
ner, both of Bellingham, would give anybody the
and deceased. He was the shirt off his back. He loved
sports and coached both
oldest of his fi ve siblings.
After graduating from girls and boys youth bas-
Lake
Quinault
High ketball for many years.
He loved to bowl at the
School in 1965, he joined
the U.S. Air Force. He l anes, go golfi ng and was
served our country during a member of AA and the
the Vietnam War, and was Veterans of Foreign Wars.
honorably discharged from And he absolutely loved to
Keesler Air Force Base in go fi shing. Being a grandpa
Mississippi after complet- fi lled his fi nal days.
Larry is survived by
ing his training for radio
relay equipment repairman siblings, Terry Gardner, of
Arkansas, Judy Talmadge,
in 1980.
Upon returning home, of Amity, Mike Gardner,
he worked as a lead man of Portland, and Damen
at Crown Zellerbach until Gardner, of Scappoose;
they closed down, and then his three children, Steven,
retired from Boise Cas- Jamie and Michelle; and
cade in St. Helens , work- eight grandchildren.
A celebration of life
ing in the e nvironmental
will be held at a later date
d epartment.
Larry had two sons, at Columbia Funeral Home
Larry
Gardner
Jr., in St. Helens . Please sign
deceased, of McMinn- our online guest book at
ville, and Steven Gardner, columbiafh.com
James Randolph Wilkins
Astoria
Jan. 7, 1943 — Nov. 3, 2020
James “Jim” Randolph erfront Trolley was enthusi-
Wilkins , son of Fred and astic and ongoing.
From jazz and upright
Bonnie Wilkins, was born
bass to guitar and
in Oakland, Cal-
his vocal styl-
ifornia,
and
ings, music was
passed away in
Jim’s
lifelong
Astoria .
passion. He was
Survivors
a member of rock
include his wife,
and string bands
Regina;
son,
and other music
James Wilkins;
later in life. In
daughters, Chris-
retirement,
he
tine
Wilkins,
taught himself to
Marney
Heff-
James Wilkins
play the banjo.
lin and Jessica
His ownership
Wilkins;
three
grandchildren; and three of a restaurant in Astoria
great-grandchildren. His enabled him to bring a wide
siblings, Ann Wilkins, variety of musical talent to
Judith Wilkins and Thomas the North Coast.
He was an insightful
Wilkins also remain.
He founded a contract- writer, a football and rugby
ing business that employed fan, a union supporter, and,
many, while paying fam- in the end, usually right. He
ily-living wages and ben- will be missed. A celebra-
efi ts. His intellect was tion of life will be planned
refl ected in his prodigious for a later date.
Ocean View Funeral &
reading. He preferred to pur-
chase books from his local, Cremation Service of Asto-
independent bookseller. He ria handled the arrange-
was ready to respond when ments. An online guest
causes needed him. His book may be signed at
support for the Astoria Riv- OceanViewAstoria.com
facebook.com/dailyastorian
REGIONAL FORECAST
Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.
Seattle
52 38
Cloudy
49 41
51 46
52 42
51 40
51 39
52 39
An afternoon
Breezy with rainA chance of rain Rain possible Clouds and sun
Rain and drizzle
shower
Aberdeen
Olympia
50/39
51/39
Wenatchee
Tacoma
Moses
Lake
50/34
ALMANAC
UNDER THE SKY
TODAY'S TIDES
Astoria through Thursday
Tonight’s Sky: Conjunction
of waxing crescent moon and
Saturn.
Astoria / Port Docks
Temperatures
High/low ................................ 51/37
Normal high/low .................. 53/40
Record high .................. 64 in 1987
Record low .................... 24 in 1977
Precipitation
Thursday ................................. 0.40”
Month to date ........................ 8.22”
Normal month to date ......... 6.75”
Year to date .......................... 54.61”
Normal year to date ........... 53.22”
Forecasts and graphics provided by
AccuWeather, Inc. ©2020
Time
High (ft.) Time Low (ft.)
6:30 a.m.
5:34 p.m.
7.1 12:06 p.m. 3.6
7.0
none
Cape Disappointment
6:15 a.m.
5:13 p.m.
Source: Jim Todd, OMSI
Hammond
SUN AND MOON
Sunrise today .................. 7:25 a.m.
Sunset tonight ............... 4:37 p.m.
Moonrise today ............. 1:28 p.m.
Moonset today ............ 11:22 p.m.
First
Full
Last
New
6:21 a.m.
5:26 p.m.
Warrenton
6:25 a.m.
5:29 p.m.
Knappa
7:07 a.m.
6:11 p.m.
Depoe Bay
Nov 21 Nov 30 Dec 7 Dec 14
5:33 a.m.
4:27 p.m.
7.0 11:29 a.m. 4.1
7.0
none
7.2 11:46 a.m. 3.8
7.2
none
7.5 11:50 a.m. 3.7
7.4
none
7.3 12:48 a.m. 0.3
7.3 1:07 p.m. 3.1
7.2 10:59 a.m. 4.2
7.2 11:30 p.m. 0.7
City
Atlanta
Boston
Chicago
Dallas
Denver
Honolulu
Houston
Los Angeles
Miami
New York City
Phoenix
San Francisco
Wash., DC
Sun.
Hi/Lo/W
70/51/pc
57/36/pc
44/37/pc
77/58/sh
51/24/pc
86/76/r
79/59/pc
72/52/s
82/73/sh
61/43/s
85/58/pc
62/44/s
65/47/pc
67/51/c
44/41/c
46/31/r
63/48/sh
50/31/s
85/75/sh
79/58/pc
72/52/s
82/70/sh
49/48/c
84/60/pc
59/47/s
56/52/c
Weather (W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy,
c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms,
r-rain, sf-snow fl urries, sn-snow, i-ice.
43/28
Hermiston
The Dalles 46/27
Enterprise
Pendleton 40/27
45/27
45/30
La Grande
42/26
49/30
NATIONAL CITIES
Today
Hi/Lo/W
42/29
Kennewick Walla Walla
47/30 Lewiston
45/26
50/36
Salem
Pullman
45/27
Longview
52/38 Portland
51/36
40/27
Yakima 44/27
49/33
Astoria
Spokane
40/30
Corvallis
48/29
Albany
49/33
John Day
Eugene
Bend
47/29
46/19
43/20
Ontario
40/25
Caldwell
Burns
39/14
43/21
Medford
51/30
Klamath Falls
44/17
City
Baker City
Brookings
Ilwaco
Newberg
Newport
Today
Hi/Lo/W
39/20/pc
56/42/pc
51/40/pc
50/34/pc
53/37/pc
Sun.
Hi/Lo/W
38/24/pc
51/44/r
49/41/r
47/39/c
50/42/r
City
North Bend
Roseburg
Seaside
Springfi eld
Vancouver
Today
Hi/Lo/W
55/38/pc
46/30/c
51/38/pc
47/30/pc
51/34/pc
Sun.
Hi/Lo/W
52/43/r
48/40/r
49/41/r
48/38/r
48/40/r