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About Seaside signal. (Seaside, Or.) 1905-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 21, 2020)
A8 • Friday, August 21, 2020 | Seaside Signal | SeasideSignal.com Local athletes, coaches rake in all-star honors By GARY HENLEY The Astorian ‘Tis the season for high school all-star series and games. But with the exception of a few summer all-star baseball games, most all- star events for seniors in the Class of 2020 were canceled because of the coronavirus. Still, that did not stop cer- tain organizations from nam- ing and honoring their annual summer all-star teams. The latest cancellation was the 68th annual East- West Shrine all-star football game, which would have taken place Aug. 1 in Baker City. The annual contest, which highlights some of the state’s top seniors from the previ- ous fall, showcases players from the 1A, 2A, 3A and 4A levels. As always, the West squad included a few rep- resentatives from Clatsop County. Knappa receiver/defen- sive back Kanai Phillip was joined by Logger lineman Jaxson Goodman, along with Warrenton lineman Mark Warren on the West roster, with alternates that included Astoria’s Ebin Hillard, Sea- side’s David Toyooka and Jeff Ter Har Beau Johnson in action during the 2019-20 season. Warrenton quarterback Jacob Morrow. Tillamook coach and Astoria graduate Kye John- son was slated to be one of the coaches for the West squad. The game became a top contributor in 1981 to the Shriners Hospitals. The game has produced about $75,000 annually for the hospitals since 1981, and approximately $2.5 million during the first 50-years of the game. The last time the game was canceled was 1969, due to violation of NCAA sanctions. Basketball all-stars Earlier this summer, some of the county’s top basketball seniors were to have taken part in the annual Oregon Basketball Coaches Associa- tion all-star series. Coached by Seaside’s Bill Westerholm, Knap- pa’s Paul Isom and Edward Kirk of Oregon Episco- pal, the small school North All-Stars included Seaside’s Ryan Hague and Beau John- son, and Knappa’s Mason Westerholm. Only Westerholm will play at the next level, where he has plans to play basket- ball at Mt. Hood Community College next year. Hague was a two-time state champion for the Gulls. “We are extremely disap- pointed that we are not able to have our all-star series this year,” B.J. Dobrkovsky, the association’s all-star series director, said. “These seniors and coaches, along with their families, have endured so much, and we know this is just another blow to them. We hope that the selection as a member of this year’s team that was selected by coaches all over the state, shows their hard work, dedication, and sacrifice to their team, school and community.” The association is a non- profit organization that relies heavily on local businesses to help support the annual sum- mer all-star series. “This year we have offered up to each player and coach that has a local business or knows a business owner a free spot in our digital pro- gram to honor all their sup- port to high school athletics,” Dobrkovsky said. Coaching awards In addition to the all-stars, the Oregon Athletic Coaches Association named its high school basketball coaches of the year. The list of 2A, 3A and 4A winners included boys basket- ball coaches Blake Ecker (4A Philomath), Edward Kirk (3A Oregon Episcopal) and Eddie Townsend (2A Toledo); and girls’ coaches Ben Silva (4A Philomath), John Blodgett (3A Clatskanie) and Kerry Hall (2A Kennedy). At its annual year-end ban- quet, the coaches association honored coaches who have reached “milestone” years of service in their coaching careers. Recognized for their 25th year of service were Warren- ton’s Rod Heyen and soft- ball/volleyball coach Staci Miethe; 30 years — Asto- ria football coach and ath- letic director Howard Rub, and Seaside’s Jim Poetsch (basketball/golf); 35 years — Lou Marconeri (softball); and Warrenton’s John Mattila (football/girls basketball) was one of four coaches honored for 50 years of service. Indoor: Still looking for more donors to finish project Continued from Page A1 “We are on track to have this project completed around the end of Septem- ber, with an early October Grand Opening Ceremony,” Garrigues said. “Our next steps are to finish the exterior shell, groundwork, frame inte- rior walls, continued work on electrical, plumbing, and HVAC, drywall and interior finishes, painting and finally finish up with outfitting by hanging nets,” decorated with Seagull Pride. They will also be, “set- ting up accessories and equipment such as pricing machines, screens, batting mats and portable mounds.” She added, “It has truly been incredible to see all the local contractors and businesses coming together to help make this project a reality. We have had donated time and materials from local plumbers, electricians, rental companies, building HOW TO SUPPORT THE PROJECT To learn more about the indoor facility project, visit their web- site at https://bit.ly/2ZqqMYB. You can also see updates on the Facebook page, “Indoor Training Facility at Broadway Park.” contractors, material sup- pliers, excavators, concrete and HVAC technicians.” In addition to coaching different sports at the youth and high school levels, Chris Corder “has been the leader of this project, and has spent incalculable hours on this project,” Garrigues said. “From project management, acquiring donated materials and services, and incredible communication on updates on the project, he has been an absolute rockstar.” Also involved are three Seaside Class of 2021 seniors who are volunteer- ing their time on the project for their Pacifica projects. Kandice Flaigg, Jared White and Cash Corder have been participating through fundraising and organiza- tion to digging ditches and installing materials onsite. “They will be assisting us throughout the project, and it’s been a great experi- ence for them to be a part of the project,” Garrigues said. Local businesses and contractors that have helped with the project will be hon- ored on a donor board at the indoor facility, along with other donors who have sent in monetary donations. “We are still looking for more donors to help us round this project out,” she said, “especially as we begin acquiring equipment for the interior and other import- ant equipment like pitching machines, nets, plates and storage cabinets.” 503-338-6063 casa@clatsopcasa.org www.clatsopcasa.org CLATSOP CASA NEEDS VOLUNTEERS NOW – MORE THAN EVER In this time of social distancing, we must all work to remain socially close to children. Child abuse and neglect is likely on the rise in the face of this pandemic, as families are put under more financial and emotional stress, but reporting may be down. Children are no longer in the public eye. One group of people who speak up for children is the Clatsop CASA Program volunteers. They work with children in the child welfare system who have experienced abuse or neglect. They meet with children in person at least monthly, advocate for children’s best interests and provide information to judges that helps them make the most well-informed decisions for each child. These in-person visits provide an opportunity for CASA volunteers to ensure the child is safe and well-cared for. But right now, meeting in person with the children they advocate for is difficult or impossible. This means it is harder for them to gauge what is going on in children’s lives, and their needs. Staff and volunteers at Clatsop CASA are finding creative ways to continue to meet with children. CASA volunteers are using social distancing and masking up to go on walks, video chats by Zoom and Skype, and calling the child’s home frequently. This kind of creativity is what will make a real difference in children’s lives right now. It is the kind of creativity that people in all sectors of society are demonstrating. Clatsop CASA is also working with community partners to strengthen families, enhance service system delivery, and build childhood resiliency. If you are willing to get involved in a life-changing and sometimes life-saving cause—the safety, health and well- being of a child—join us in speaking up for a child at this time of community crisis. When the world re-opens, the need will be greater than ever. Those who want to change a child’s life as a CASA volunteer can use this time to learn more about the children we serve and to take advantage of our upcoming virtual CASA 101 Orientation. This orientation will be offered at both 12 pm and 6 pm on Wednesday, August 26th. This training orientation requires no commitment and is open to the public. To get the link, visit our website at www.clatsopcsa.org or email us at casa@clatsopcasa.org. It is up to all of us to make sure the children in Clatsop County are safe, that OUR children are safe. - Nakesha Womble, Executive Director
