Mike Vlahovich: WIAA figures show Rogers dropping to 3A
Preliminary enrollment figures determining school classifications are in from the WIAA. If they pass scrutiny when finalized in January, the makeup of the Greater Spokane and Columbia Basin leagues will change a bit next year.
Rogers, with an enrollment of 1,234, is projected to become Class 3A over the next two-year cycle. Eastmont of East Wenatchee, with an enrollment of 1,286, will move into the 4A ranks.
The preliminary classification figures will switch the 4A advantage of the CBL to 8-7 and reduce its 3A advantage to 6-4.
“It’s the best-case scenario for our kids,” said Rogers activities coordinator Eric Anderson. “It puts a whole new perspective on things.”
“I know we’re just excited to be given this opportunity. It gives the kids a lot more hope anytime you compete closer to your enrollment size.”
One other area team switching classifications is Colfax, which at 170 students will move from 1A to 2B next year.
Shadle’s enrollment projection is 1,283 students, just more than the 4A limit. Here are the WIAA enrollment breakdowns: Class 4A – 1,281 and up; 3A – 919-1,280; 2A – 468-918; 1A – 188-467; 2B – 88-187; and 1B – through 87.
The projected GSL enrollments: Lewis and Clark 1,596, Mead 1,410, Central Valley 1,381, Ferris 1,345, University 1,305, Shadle 1,283, Rogers, 1,234, Mt. Spokane 1,164, North Central 1,153, East Valley 1,052 and Gonzaga Prep 356. G-Prep chooses to opt up to 4A.
Murphy’s Law
During the December meeting of the WIAA Executive Board, approval was made to submit an amendment to the Representative Assembly that would provide opportunities for a penalty other than forfeiture when a member school plays an ineligible participant.
The decision came to a head following this fall’s forfeiture of the Archbishop Murphy football season following the lapse of a player’s physical examination form.
But there had been past unsuccessful efforts of leagues to seek alternative redress for minor infractions, including the GSL.
During the 2001-2002 basketball season, Shadle forfeited two games because late in two blowout wins it inadvertently used a reserve who had already used his quarter allotment in junior varsity games. The forfeits cost the Highlanders a league title and the league, to little avail, made a proposal to lesson the penalty when it clearly had no bearing on the outcome of the game.
G-Prep forfeited a 48-7 football victory for the same reason in 2006.
Bsports.org All-State
Josh Goodwin, the former Mead athlete who quarterbacked Almira/Coulee-Hartline to the State 1B state title, is Bsports.org 1B Player of the Year.
He rushed for 1,232 yards and passed for 1,649 and a combined 49 touchdowns for the Warriors, who defeated Odessa for the title.
The Defensive Player of the Year was Odessa linebacker Travis Todd, who had 138 tackles, 45 solo and two pass interceptions.
Team list in Scoreboard (C6).
Wrestlers test selves
This weekend marks the 36th year for the Tri-State Wrestling Tournament in Coeur d’Alene.
This annual mid-December extravaganza is an early-season gauge for the best wrestlers from more than three states. Last year there were titlists from Idaho, Oregon, Montana and all parts of Washington, University’s Brian Owen and Riverside’s Ryan DesRoches among them.
The tourney begins at 10 a.m. Friday and continues at 9 a.m. Saturday, with championship matches starting at 5 p.m.
Benefit game
Northwest Christian will host Reardan Wednesday in basketball with half of the gate going to Cancer Patient Care in memory of Keith Dyk, who starred at NWC and died at age 26 in 1991. There will also be a presentation about Dyk at halftime of the boys game. Girls tip off at 6 and the boys at 7:30.