Mike Vlahovich: Talented boys now in stellar senior class

When my son was asked to play AAU basketball as a sixth-grader, I went to the first practice and was impressed by the level of the team’s talent. Comparing it with the years my older son played in league years before, I thought to myself, “It’s going to take a pretty good team to beat these guys.”

“Pretty good,” indeed. While our group was better than average – three or four are still playing today –compared to some other teams in that league, the going was tough. Two dominant teams had players who liberally populate Ferris sports, and there were two or three others our players couldn’t touch.

It was then I knew that this group of kids had a chance to be something special, and here they are as seniors whose promise has come to fruition.

It isn’t always so. Many youth teams are often the province of the most mature kids who peak early and never improve, to be overtaken by others that do.

Players like Ferris’ Shawn Stockton and Jared Karstetter and Shadle’s Zack Humphrey were mature for their years and led their team to titles, and they continued to improve.

Others like Ferris’ Beau Brett and West Valley’s Bryan Peterson, as I recall, were subs on teams in their early years, among those late bloomers who have developed into three-sport standouts at their respective schools and are already promised to Pac-10 baseball teams.

They excel in a particular sport, but are good enough to do all three well. Humphrey and Peterson are just two examples, respective basketball and baseball junkies who will quarterback their football teams.

They are just a handful of youngsters playing then and are starring in sports still. They stand out as did the remarkable girls class of 2005 when my daughter played youth sports.

You knew, even as sixth- and seventh-graders, that they would have instant impact when they reached high school.

It’s a pleasure being able to watch their growth

Many in this year’s acclaimed class of 2008, readying for tonight’s football openers, are beginning their last high school go-around. Others will go on to play in college.

It is truly a special time when memories are made, but as important: “Your senior year is a fun year,” said Ferris coach Jim Sharkey. “And these guys are having fun.”

“Last year I wrote several columns about the value of maintaining freshmen sports when Spokane Public Schools were mulling how to deal with its budget crisis. Ninth-grade athletics was potentially on the chopping block.

District officials, thankfully, found ways to save them.

“We examined all options and felt sports creates opportunity for students who often won’t make it (through school) if they are not offered,” said Terren Roloff, the Director of Community Relations.

She said that the community gave its opinions and that the district listened.

“It came right down to what was best for kids as far as academic achievement,” said Roloff. “The school board felt sports was a great opportunity for students who might not (otherwise) stay in school.”

A lot of varsity coaches, I’d guess, breathed a sigh of relief.