Seattle Metro Provides Opponents For Fl Boys

Colville and Cheney’s boys should encounter a wide spectrum of what the Metro League has to offer.

Blanchet (14-11), Colville’s opponent Wednesday to open the State AA Tournament, draws praise for working hard and overachieving. The Braves’ top player, 6-foot-2 senior forward Charlie Wellnitz (15 points per game), is most known for his football prowess. Everybody else averages between 7-9 points for the Seattle school.

“It doesn’t sound bad at all,” said Colville coach Bill Pilgeram. “It looks like we should match up well.”

Cheney begins against another Seattle team, Cleveland (15-10), a high-scoring group not noted for disciplined play. Leo Dickerson, Barry Willis, Clyde Travis and Martin Harris all average in double figures. Harris had a run-in with an O’Dea player during a 30-point district loss.

“The No. 1 concern for us, even though we’ve gone to state (10) times, is to make sure the kids stay focused on why we’re going,” said Cheney coach Denny Humphrey.

Cheney (16-8) qualified for state last year, Colville (16-6) the season before. Both went 0-2.

Returning to the Tacoma Dome for the Blackhawks are top scoring threats Tucker Urdahl, August Parker and Paul Malisani, plus Pat Stiffler and Eric Sobotta, junior varsity players last year.

Cheney lost three of its final five league games, but is 3-1 in postseason. Colville, the league and district champ, has won 12 of 13.

On the girls side, Cheney is riding high with eight consecutive wins. The Blackhawks, state qualifiers in each of coach Marty Jessett’s three years, are 65-10 during his tenure.

Two of those losses at state sent Cheney home early last year.

“Our girls are obviously satisfied to be going, but not just to go,” Jessett said. “A lot of them (seven) went last year and were disappointed with two and out.”

Junior point guard Anna Getz, the Frontier scoring champ with a 20.3 average, and sophomore Kara Weitman lead Cheney’s scoring. Senior Ginger Ewing is making her third consecutive state trip.

The third-ranked Blackhawks drew fourth-ranked Prosser (22-3). Montana State University-bound Chrissy Reade (16.7) is the Mustangs’ version of Getz. Senior Meredith Walker averaged 14 points inside.

League champ West Valley (18-4) is 2-2 after 16 consecutive wins, but the Eagles are confident their first state trip since ‘88 will work out.

“Cheney gives me the impression they can play with (the state field), and we feel we can play with Cheney, so we should be able to do fine,” said WV coach Mark Kuipers.

The Eagles open with Franklin Pierce (17-5) of Tacoma. The Cardinals, like WV, rely on balance. Senior point guard Megan Merz (13 ppg) and junior forward Jody Sargent (12.8) lead an average-sized team.

WV starts four seniors and scoring leader Gabby McClintock (12 ppg). Angie Kallas (11 ppg), whose twin sister Andrea is playing at the State AAA with Central Valley, is a 3-point threat.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: State AA Dates: Wednesday-Saturday Site: Tacoma Dome Defending champs: Boys - Gig Harbor. Girls - Blanchet Other returning placers: Boys - O’Dea (third), Seattle Prep (fifth) and Lynden (sixth). Girls - Kennedy (second), Monroe (third), Mount Si (sixth) and Prosser (seventh). Number of returning teams: Boys - eight. Girls - nine. Local participants: Boys - Colville, Cheney. Girls - Cheney, West Valley.