Bloggers comment on regional changes
(Posted April 25) There were some interesting comments from bloggers about the changes forthcoming in next year’s Greater Spokane League-Big Nine regional playoffs, prompting these thoughts:
Thought No. 1 – If six state tournaments are not financially viable, as some say, prompting WIAA Representative Assembly discussion for potential change from the 16-team format, then there seems no need to burden Washington with that many. As some wrote, let’s return to the AAA, AA, A and B tournaments.
Why? Because state tournament allotments driven by WIAA enrollment breakdowns and the desire to give more schools a chance at participation have created the mess the Big Nine and GSL find themselves in (with only two and three GSL teams advancing in alternate years against six and five from the Columbia Basin).
The Big Nine was smart by insisting that three Kennewick schools move up to 4A giving them 11 and eventually 12. The GSL is down to six with drops into 3A. That means Columbia Basin schools get two and three state berths in alternating years. The GSL gets one each time.
It makes little sense for the Big Nine to risk berths for the reward of gaining one. In reality, the GSL should be glad for a chance at stealing some of those extra berths.
But if the state scaled back to four classifications – making it easier to stage profitable tournaments – the resulting enrollment change would maintain the integrity of each league, likely give Eastern Washington a pool of between 23 and 27 schools all in one classification to choose from, at least four state berths annually and a near-even split of league schools for regional purposes.
Thought No. 2 – If the current concept remains, the GSL should consider heading in the 3A direction. University and Ferris enrollments are dropping, people say, and Mt. Spokane activities coordinator John Miller said he was under the impression Mead is not that far over. Although no one is of a mind to pass a bond issue in these economic times, there have been rumblings that a third CV district high school needs to be built in Liberty Lake.
If so, ultimately having eight or more 3A GSL schools, plus three from the Basin would provide a state bonus.
Thought No. 3 – Money issues and the desire of coaches wanting a better chance to qualify for a state tournament are driving forces. Maybe it is time to change our mindset of a state-driven emphasis regarding high school athletics. There should be no expectation, when schools offer sports, that success or failure is predicated on continuing beyond the league season.
New look Wildcats
(Posted April 23) Mt. Spokane is different from last year’s defending league champions and state qualifiers. But the team is again the GSL’s No. 1 seed to the 3A sub-regional baseball playoffs.
It is a team starting with seven juniors or sophomores in the lineup. Arizona State University-bound shortstop Jarek Cunningham has missed the season while rehabbing a knee injury, but there’s hope that he could rejoin the team by the playoffs.
“It would be like acquiring a free agent for the stretch run, you know,” said coach Alex Schuerman.
Catcher Tyler Jackson injured his back and missed six or seven games behind the dish. Nate Blackham broke a finger in practice and missed the first seven games of the season. He was a big reason offensively that Mt. Spokane beat NC on Tuesday. Nic Fowler missed a start with a sore arm.
“We’re young and injured, but we’ve battled through that,” said Schuerman. “You always look at your own team with (visions) of grandeur, and I like our chances. I told the guys we want to be playing our best at the end and make some noise in the playoffs.”