06 June 2016 PP 06-16-16 Final1

Sporting News & Information • Sports Broadcasts • Action Photos • Since 1991!
Jeff Place’s
SPORTS PLACE
THE PLACE FOR SPORTS
Volume 2, Issue 6 • www.jeffplace.com • [email protected] • June, 2016
The Ascension
SCOREBOARD
STATE CHAMPIONS
2A BASEBALL
SELAH
14
CEDARCREST
3
2A SOFTBALL
OTHELLO
FIFE
3
1
TRACK & FIELD
BICKLETON BOYS
NACHES GIRL’S
ZILLAH BOY’S
OTHERS
BASEBALL
ELLENSBURG
RIVERSIDE CHR.
SOUTHRIDGE
SOFTBALL
RICHLAND
SELAH
3rd
3rd
3rd
3rd
4th
BOY’S SOCCER
CONNELL
2nd
HIGHLAND
4th
TENNIS
LaSALLE GIRLS 3rd
W. VALLEY BOYS 4th
ZILLAH BOYS
6th
TRACK & FIELD
E-BURG GIRLS 5TH
HANFORD GIRLS 10TH
KAMIAKIN GIRLS 3rd
KAMIAKIN BOYS 10TH
PASCO GIRLS
9TH
SELAH BOYS
6th
LISTEN TO
PROSSER MUSTANG
FOOTBALL
FRI., SEPT 2
Kennewick at Prosser
www.jeffplace.com
Zillah’s Doug Burge Moves from Coaching to Superintendent
H
e will actually remain on
the same campus, moving from
the grade school
building to an
office near the
elementary gym.
Yet, the duties
that Doug Burge
will face will be
much larger than
being the grade
school principal
or high school
basketball coach.
As the former
Highland graduate moves into
Kevin McKay’s
office as Zillah
Superintendent,
he will be taking
on new challenges, but is ready
JEFF PLACE/Sports Place Media
for this phase of
Doug
Burge
succeeds
Kevin
McKay, who is
his life.
heading to Sunnyside as their Superinten“I have always dent. Zillah won the state title in 2014.
had a vision to
position,” he
tant for 16
pursue a supersaid, “I just want
years), has done
intendency when
to
do
my
best
a great job in the
I was done with
and learn as
Zillah School
coaching,” he exmuch as I can
District and has
plained adding,
about all facets
been a model of
“I am excited for
of
my
new
role.”
consistency,”
this new chapter
Burge noted.
in my life.”
“Kevin, (who
ironically served
Burge, who
“I’m not conas Doug’s assissays that he has
cerned about the
learned a lot
from McKay explained, “I hope
to keep things
going in the
same direction.”
“(But) I want
to build a network of colleagues that I
can confer with
as needed,” he
said, while adding that McKay
will be on top of
that list.
Hired from
Naches 23 years
ago, back in
1993, Burge has
brandished a solid reputation in
the community
and should be a
good fit for the
Leopard nation.
Drawing on
his experience of
22 years as an
administrator,
he has also wore
many hats, working in three different buildings.
Hired to help
an extremely talented basketball
team realize
their potential,
(see page 6)
THE HOT LIST
SAT/SUN
JUNE 11-12
ALL-STATE
BASEBALL GAMES
Parker Field
Yakima, TBA
The best baseball
players in the state
will head to Yakima
for the all-state
baseball games.
It will be in memory of the late Pete
Orgill and the roster
includes Jonathan
Imperial of Davis,
who is headed to
the Air Force Academy.
SATURDAY
JUNE 25
1A/2A
ALL-STATE
FOOTBALL GAME
Zaepfel Stadium
Yakima, TBA
Several of the
best small-school
football players
across the state will
be competing in this
classic at Earl
Barden Field.
The replay of the
game can be heard
on jeffplace.com
TUESDAY
JULY 5
SUNNYSIDE at
PROSSER JR LEGION
BASEBALL GAME
3:00PM
A look at next
year’s stars now as
the Mustangs field
their first Legion
team in years. The
exciting J.R. Coleman is a player to
watch.
LIVE FOR NOW
PEPSI-COLA BOTTLING COMPANY OF YAKIMA
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The Place for Sports
Page 2
WILEY, ZAVALA
EARN CWAC
SCHOLARSHIPS
June, 2016
Sports Shorts
Hoop Drama Unfolds in the Yakima Valley
SEVERAL SCHOOLS LOOKING FOR NEW COACHES
ANTHONY
WILEY
PROSSER
MUSTANGS
A
nthony Wiley of
Prosser and Desiree Zavala of
Grandview both earned
$750 college scholarship
awards from the
CWAC.
There were several
outstanding candidates
including Jeremy Bade
of East Valley and Lexie Bland of Ellensburg.
Wiley, who beat out
seven other finalists,
will be attending Ohio
State University and
Zavala (who outdistanced eight contenders)
plans to attend Southern Oregon University.
Female finalists:
Kylie Gutierrez - East Valley
Lexie Bland - Ellensburg
Karlee Etter - Ephrata
Olivia Giles - Othello
Ariah Yager - Prosser
Kaitlin Ramsey - Quincy
Carley Davis - Selah
Brooke Sandoval - Wapato
Male Finalists
Jeremy Bade - East Valley
Tate Stevenson - Ellensburg
Tyler Hess - Ephrata
Anthony Mendoza - Grandview
Luis Aceves - Othello
Johan Farias - Quincy
Vance Wood - Selah
Ron’s
Coin & Collectibles
6 North
Page 2 •
3rd
T
he Yakima Valley
remains mesmerized when it comes
to basketball.
Although the sport
was popular for decades,
it wasn’t until the AAU
explosion during the late
1980’s and early 1990’s
that it gathered steam.
Today, basketball may
be the most followed
sport in the area with
athletes participating in
gyms nearly all year long.
Expectations are high
but reality is low.
Many times, coaches
are under tremendous
pressure to run aggressive off-season programs
and if they don’t win, face
tremendous scrutiny.
Six programs will be
welcoming in new coaches next year. Two are due
to retirements (Zillah,
Mabton), while four others may have new coaches for other reasons.
Doug Burge has retired at Zillah and his
replacement will be former Granger standout,
•
•
•
•
Mario Mengarelli.
Brock Ledgerwood
has retired at Mabton
and will be heading back
to Pomeroy to work on
the family farm.
Adam Strom is leaving Yakama Tribal for
the girl’s coaching job at
YVCC.
Derek Birley, fresh
off Wapato’s sixth place
finish at state, has also
stepped down. He would
like to spend more time
with his family, which is
understandable.
Glen Braman has
resigned as Grandview’s
boys coach and Robi
Raab, the CWAC Girl’s
Coach of the Year, was
asked to reapply at East
Valley.
Some moves might
make sense, others are
head scratchers and in
the case of Strom, exciting.
It is unfortunate, but
the demands on coaching
in today’s environment is
extremely high. Here’s
betting a lot of those
names will resurface.
KEN HALL
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SPORTS PLACE • www.jeffplace.com
ROE NAMED
at HANFORD
The Hanford High
School Athletic Department
is excited
to announce the hiring of Nat
Roe as new Head Baseball Coach.
oe is a 1989 graduate of the Richland School
District, where he was
an all-conference 3
sport athlete.
He went on to be an
All–NWACC baseball
player at Columbia Basin College, before graduating from
Washington State with
a degree in Civil
Engineering/Environme
ntal Science.
He has been very
successful as the Falcon
assistant coach since
2009.
Nat is also the manager of the Senior
American Legion Hanford Flames, and has
led them to 5 state appearances in the last 6
years, winning the
Flames first ever state
title in 2013.
Nat and his wife Jocelyn have 3 kids – one
current Falcon (Lila)
and two future Falcons
(Derrek and Dylan).
Roe replaces Tom
DeWitz, a former Boise
State All-American who
is returning to Idaho to
coach football.
R
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June, 2016
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Page 3
Do What You Love — But It Has to Make Sense
— FROM THE SIDELINES —
I
self mesmerized.
n high school, I was
known as a “Sports
It was the beginning of
Encyclopedia.”
my life in which I began
taking a hard look at
Growing up as pretty
much an only child (broth- sports. After football, I
gravitated toer graduated when
wards baseball.
I was in first
grade), my mom
Through the
was often gone.
years, I studied
She was working
players, teams
trying to do the
and leagues. Anathings a single
lyzed trades and
mother does when
found out why
you try to make an
some teams were
honest living.
successful while
So, to escape my EDITOR’S COLUMN others failed.
loneliness and
Jeff Place
Take the New
keep myself occuYork Mets for expied, I dove into sports.
ample.
I think it really started
In 1969, they became
rolling when Jerry Siekathe “Amazing Mets,” by
witch and I pretended we
winning the World Series
had NFL teams and we
over the powerful Baltidrafted players.
more Orioles.
This was over 30 years
With stellar pitching
ago and before fantasy
(Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosfootball was even thought
man, Gary Gentry, Tug
about. We drafted player
McGraw), they won 102
after player until we filled
games, which shocked the
out a team.
baseball world.
I still remember one of
The previous year, they
his top choices was David
were 73-89 and by winJaynes, an All-American
ning they placed tremenquarterback from Kansas.
dous pressure on the
He was elated when I
organization to repeat. As
didn’t grab him. Actually
an organization, they were
drafted by Kansas City, he good but couldn’t repeat
washed out of the league
the magic of 1969.
in two years because of a
By trying to trade for
bad arm.
standout players over the
He also took Lynn
next few years to recapSwann of USC. Now that
ture the magic, they lost a
was a smart choice.
lot of young talent to other
clubs. One was Nolan RyCan’t remember who I
an, a reliever in 1969. We
drafted, but I found my-
SERVING:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Espresso Coaches & Bus Drivers Eat Free!
433 S. Elm • Toppenish • (509) 865-4349
(With their teams)
all know his story.
Another was Amos
Otis, who was dealt in
1970 to Kansas City and
became a Gold Glove center fielder and all-star
with the Royals.
Just keeping those two
would have definitely
changed the face of the
organization and perhaps
helped them back to the
World Series.
But, toss in future allstars Ken Singleton (OF),
Tim Foli (SS) plus pitchers Jim Bibby and Steve
Renko and you get the
idea. (There were several
others too including Whitey Herzog, who left New
York to manage.)
That brings to mind an
important question;
How many times do we
struggle in our day-to-day
life and make decisions
based on the moment, trying to get ahead that
eventually wrecks our future? I know that I have
done too many times to
recount.
If we put together a
plan, work it and stay
true to it, we can usually
avoid those pitfalls.
Here’s hoping that you
enjoy the choices you’ve
made today and you have
an even brighter future.
Quotes
“The best way out is always
through.”
Robert Frost
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Page 4
June, 2016
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Baseball • Basketball • Football • Soccer • Softball • Volleyball • Wrestling • Track & Field
VALLEY STANDOUTS
RICK CASTANEDA
Granger Spartans • Fastpitch Softball
Proof that competition in athletics makes more successful adults is Rick Castaneda. The former Spartan athlete continues to do well in the film world. After having tremendous success a
couple years ago with “Cement Suitcase” which was shot on location in the Yakima Valley, he
has been working all over the world.
Recently he was in Dubai and Egypt for film shoots. he is a remarkable example of someone
who followed their dream and found success.
HECTOR ROBLES
Toppenish Wildcats • Soccer
The Toppenish Wildcats not only won the CWAC soccer championship, but they made it to
the elite eight, beating a talented Grandview team. One of the keys was CWAC Defensive
Player of the Year, Hector Robles, a four-year varsity starter.
“Hector is our general in the back line,” states head coach, Uriel Gonzalez. “(He is) very fast
and fearless to sacrifice his body to stop the opponent, controlling the defense and keeping
everybody organized.” Also a good student, Robles has a 3.0 GPA.
ANTHONY ALVARADO
Wapato Wolves/CBC • Baseball
Wapato has had several good baseball players through the years and one Wapato grad
has been able to make the transition to the college level.
Anthony Alvarado of CBC came in needing to get an out for the Hawks against I-90 rival,
YVCC. The side-winding lefty did just that to help quell a rally.
Pitching out of the bullpen, the freshman has struck out four batters in 6 innings of work. At
Wapato, he was also their starting quarterback.
ALEXIS REDFIELD
Zillah Leopards • Cross Country & Track
One of the most prolific runners in Zillah, if not Yakima Valley history, is senior Alexis Redfield.
The long-distance runner, who turned out in the last minute as a freshman, has not only captured titles, but now a college scholarship as at major university.
Redfield is headed to Washington State University on both a cross-country and track scholarship. At state this year, she competed in the 800 and 1600 meters along with the 4x400 relay
team.
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The Place for Sports
June, 2016
Page 5
BENTON RURAL ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION • Member-Owned and Operated Electric Cooperative Since 1937
KASON BLAIR
W
ith spring
sports wrapping up, there
are champions everywhere.
But perhaps, the best accolades
you can earn is when your school
recognizes you.
Kason Blair was PLAYER
recently named as
Prosser High’s
Howard Wilson
Award winner, the
third generation winner in his family. Jan, his grandfather, and aunt
Blair’s
brother,
Kooper and
his dad,
Jeff, were
also nominated for
the award.
Becky
Wildman,
won the Ellen Berndt
Award for
top female
athlete.
PROSSER MUSTANGS
Kelly also garnered the award for
the school’s top athlete their senior
years.
Blair, who starred
OF THE in football and basketball, will head to Columbia Basin College
in Pasco to play basketball, with an eye
on completing his career at a fouryear college.
WEEK
At Benton REA, our members define our every action. We’re not satisfied until they’re satisfied. And that means
more than providing reliable electricity. It means we’re committed to providing power and an opportunity to the many
communities our members call home. If you get your electricity from Benton REA — you’re more than a customer.
You’re a MEMBER!
Benton Rural Electric Association
(509) 786-2913 • Toll Free: 1-800-221-6987
www.bentonrea.org
Benton REA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider
Z
ILLAH
Miller’s
The Z-Leps trailed
3-2 after two and then
exploded for a 16-4
five-inning ten-run
Softball
victory.
victory.
Freshman Madison Grenz was
Junior Courtney Williams was
3-4 with 6 RBI’s.
3-3 with two doubles
the final game,
to key the effort.
TEAM OF THE theInLeopards
met ConThat brought up
nell, who had been to
Naches, who had just
the 1A state tournalost to Ki-Be in the
ment 18 straight
winner’s bracket.
years.
The two teams had split earlier in
Zillah led 5-0 after one before setthe year and the Rangers were contling in for a 10-3 victory and third
sidered a state favorite.
straight 1A state appearance.
T
hey had just come off one of
the most devastating losses in
years – a 10-0 shutout in the
opening game of the SCAC District
Softball Tournament.
With their backs against the
wall, they headed to West Valley on
Saturday, May 21, knowing that any
loss would end their season.
After a heavy rain the previous
night and overcast skies, coach Daniel Robillard’s squad came out with
fire in their eyes.
They opened with Royal at 10 AM
and despite inclimate weather, heated up their bats for a 16-6 ten-run
LEOPARDS
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Page 6
June, 2016
Burge Profile
Mengarelli will take over coaching duties
(From the front page)
mentor and friend.” as a
key influence along with
Dean Nicholson (Central)
and Dave Quall, his coach
at Skagit Valley.
As for memories, he has
a ton of them. During his
span, Zillah has had 14 allstate players while 24 more
have played in the WIBCA
(Washington Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Association) All-State games.
“I was blessed to coach
so many great players,” he
said. “I have many athletes
that I’m still close to today.
A special bond from coaching many fine men.”
“We were able to be one
of the top 1A programs in
the state year in and year
out,” he said. “We have a
storied tradition and coaching has been a real preparation for many things I do
on a daily basis.”
He listed communicating
effectively, leading others,
organization, motivating
and listening as key factors
that transcend
into the administrative side.
Burge admits
it will be tough
not coaching and
he will miss the
interaction of
the players the
most.
“My best
JEFF PLACE/Sports Place Media
memories are the
Burge
will
be
succeeded
as coach by forstate titles and it
mer
Granger
standout,
Mario
Mengarelli.
was truly special
when my son
of Cincinnati.)
(Scotty) was on the court in
He can also watch Mario
2014,” he stated. “It has
Mengarelli
put his stamp
been a great ride!”
on the program.
As Burge adjusts into
A former all-star player
his new role, he will also
in
football
and basketball
have another adjustment
at
Granger,
it is ironic he is
— that of a spectator. But
the
new
head
coach at the
it is one he relishes.
Spartans’ hated rival, ZilScotty will be playing
lah.
this next winter at the OreBut, he has been a valugon Institute of Technology
able
assistant and alon a basketball scholarship
though more quiet than
and his youngest daughter,
Burge, he will be surroundMcKenna, is still at ZHS.
(His oldest daughter, Madi- ed by solid assistants like
Erick Delp and Tyler Widson, attends the University
ner, the latter who both
played for Burge.
Plus Mengarelli brings a
solid family support system
and is beloved by all.
As for Burge, he would
like to thank the Zillah
Boys Basketball “family”
and community for all the
support they’ve given him
throughout the years.
“It has been a special
time in my life and I have
enjoyed every minute of it,”
he states. “I have some fantastic memories that can
never be taken away from
me.”
“I am very proud of the
program and can’t wait to
JEFF PLACE/Sports Place Media see it progress under Coach
A LOOK BACK. Doug Burge (far left) with his first basketball team back in 1994. they won the 1A state Mengarelli,” he adds saying, “Go Leopards!” u
championship.
Zillah won the 1A state
title that first year and
Burge soon moved into administrative duties.
He first served as the
ZHS Assistant Principal
and Athletic Director (He
held that post for four
years.)
Then came a three year
term as the Zillah Middle
School Principal while also
serving in the dual role as
athletic director.
From there, it was on to
Hilton Elementary as their
principal, a post he still
holds until this summer
when he replaces McKay.
It was easy to see that
Burge was getting a lot of
training in how the school
district functions at various
levels and he also served at
the Special Education Director for three years.
Despite all the admiration he has for McKay,
Burge points to coaching
legend Pat Fitterer, “A true
Page 6 •
SPORTS PLACE • www.jeffplace.com
The Place for Sports
June, 2016
Page 7
MEMORY LANE
George
Garcia
Photos
Burge cutting down net at 2015
state championship.
Brady Widner played college
basketball in Wenatchee.
Coaches & Bus Drivers Eat FREE With Their Team!
Justin Dunsmore plays college
basketball in Montana.
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Scotty
Burge
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Page 8
June, 2016
The Final Step
After years of domination and reaching the finals Six Times, Selah won it all
T
he two most
great team, you have
dominant high
to learn to play great,”
school sports
he said.
programs over the
“After the Prosser
past 25 years in the
game, we had a list of
Yakima Valley are the
things that we took for
Prosser Mustang footgranted with so many
ball team and Selah
new players,” Archer
baseball.
added.
Ironically, this past
“So, we took the
year, both storied
next three days off
CWAC programs won
practice and scripted
state championships.
them to work on all the
For Prosser, it was
things we felt our new
one of several. But for
players need to work
the Vikings, it was
on,” he continued.
their first after several
They also practiced
attempts since 1990.
live against their JV in
When Bob Archer
order to put their varJEFF PLACE/Sports Place Media sity players in those
took over the Selah
baseball program in
situations.
When it come to fundamentals, Selah is rock1990, they immediate- solid. Shortstop Dac Archer shows the proper
“That was a huge
ly found success, play- way to field a grounder.
factor in our success,”
ing for, but losing the
said Archer proudly. “We
state championship that sea- players from Selah helped
corrected the problems and
establish
the
tradition
of
son.
went on to the next game.”
toughness, discipline, being
Including that first year,
prepared and playing for
The results speak for
Selah has played at the state your teammate.”
themselves.
tournament 23 times in 27
“No player is bigger than
Selah beat a tough Quinyears and has made it eleven
the program or the team,” he cy team 11-0, then swept
in a row.
added. “Accountability
East Valley at the Red DevThe Archer family, (son
among teammates is a very
ils’ home field and dropped
Mike took over in 1996), has
important aspect of our traseven more opponents before
built a program that should
dition.”
a key matchup on April 19
be the envy of most.
against unbeaten (and topThat accountability was
When you first head to
ranked) Ellensburg at Carput to the test this year,
the baseball field at Carlon
lon Park.
when the team was rolling
Park, it could be confused
early in the season.
Playing like a team poswith a minor league operasessed, they won the first
Fresh
off
a
state
champition.
game 5-1 and bested Bulldog
onship appearance the year
Billboard ads dot the outace, Xander Orejudos 5-2 in
before and off to a 4-0 start,
field wall, there are cozy
the second game.
they had just steam-rolled
bleachers, an immaculate
Prosser 16-2 in the first half
Selah would go on to meet
baseball diamond and a
of a double-header.
Ellensburg at Districts and
press box that brings all the
Regionals, winning both 5-2
Just as fate would have it,
sights and sounds that make
and 5-1.
the
Vikings
lost
their
first
the sport a great place to be.
game and the Mustangs won
The last one was imporBut most importantly, is
their first 3-2, in the nightcap.
tant because it put the Viks
the pride in the program.
into the state championship
“That game was a good
“Our tradition is very imgame for the second straight
learning experience for our
portant states,” Mike Aryear.
players and coaches,” excher, who played catcher in
plained Archer. “We didn’t
With six second-place finhis days as a Viking player.
play bad, it’s just that we
ishes (90, 94, 96, 07, 09, 15),
didn’t play great.”
“Our players from the
losing didn’t seem like an
1990’s and the early Pak
option and it wasn’t as Selah
“You don’t have to be a
Page 8 •
SPORTS PLACE • www.jeffplace.com
beat Cedarcrest 14-3, for the
first state baseball championship in school history.
The title may have come
because they had to learn
how to beat Ellensburg, who
was a state favorite all season long.
“Ellensburg was tough
and is a rival especially with
Xander on the mound,” said
Archer, who just finished his
21st year at Selah.
Beating Orejudos was especially important and Archer knows him all too well.
“He was our top pitcher
last summer with the Pepsi
Paks,” he said. “Our line-up
depth was a key to beating
him, but I hate running into
a rival in the playoffs. They
are well-coached and play
hard, so we knew we had to
be on top of our game.”
Archer, who began coaching the Pak during the summer of 1984 and coached
Toppenish from 1985-89 also
feels their league helped prepare them for state.
“The CWAC is tough!!,”
he stated. “It was pitcher
heavy again this year with
every team having a guy
that could beat you on any
given day. It has always
been a competitive league.”
Although Selah will lose
seven seniors this year, two
manned key spots while
three others were solid role
players.
The biggest loss may be
6-foot-5 center fielder/ pitcher Dustin Yates, the CWAC
Player of the Year, who is
headed to Spokane Falls to
play college ball.
“He progressed at a
steady pace,” Archer noted.
“A key component was the
weight room and strength. I
think he has a very big upside.”
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June, 2016
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Page 9
Another key senior was
Dan Legg, who played third
base and pitched. He was
their leading hitter with a
.444 average.
“I love Dan Legg,” exclaimed Archer!
“He is a guy who bought
into the program and has
gotten better each year. Although not flashy, he is very
fundamental.”
Senior Wyatt Pettijohn
will also be missed. Although primarily a runner,
the football standout was an
important part of the senior
leadership and always a positive player to be around.
Fellow seniors, Tyler
Monson (1B/P), Reggie Hull
(shared 2B with junior Dan
Wold) plus RJ McNett and
Jesus Velarde will also be
missed but the underclassmen coming back next year
make the Vikings a state
favorite again.
Start with their ace, junior Cort Dietrich. “At 6-5,
he is still developing,” says
Archer. “He was outstanding
for us as a pitcher and as he
gets stronger, he is only going to get better.”
Dietrich is a strike thrower with 66 K’s in 59 innings
while only walking 19 batters.
The son of the head
coach, Shortstop Dac Archer,
is a junior who can only be
appreciated by seeing him
play. Named after Dac Randall, who played for Selah
years ago, he has outstanding arm strength and has a
knack for getting on base.
He also understands the
game very well.
A pleasant surprise this
year was junior outfielder
Waylon Pettijohn, Wyatt’s
younger brother.
“He loves baseball and is
an aggressive player, especially as a hitter,” Archer
notes.
Others like junior Riley
Quincy (1B/C/OF), sophomore Carter Chapman (1B),
junior OF Mitchell Belton,
plus freshmen Payton Andreas (OF/P) and Reid Rasmussen (P) make the
Vikings smile when thinking
about next year’s chances.
However, if they have
anyone close to being a superstar, it may be freshman
catcher Carter Young, who
also can play third and
short.
Equipped with maybe the
best arm in the league, he
was the team’s leadoff hitter.
“At times, he was 1.9 seconds to second base (on his
throws) states Archer. “He
controlled the running game
very well. Carter obviously
has a very high upside and
will be an important part of
our success going forward.”
Young will also participate with team USA this
summer on a trip to Japan.
Overall, Archer is excited
about the team he has coming back. He also is proud of
his assistants, supportive
wife (Julie) and feels very
“thankful, blessed and humble to have this job.”
Here’s betting the Selah
baseball nation feels the
same way about him. u
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www.jeffplace.com •
SPORTS PLACE • Page 9
The Place for Sports
Page 10
N’T
D
I
T
BE YOU D KNOW
The
Legend
Sid Otton
T
he name of Sid
Otton is well
known across the
state in high school
football.
But did you know
the 72-year-old grew up
in Lewiston, Idaho?
The Tumwater
coaching legend has
won several state titles
and is the state’s alltime winningest coach
with over 350 wins to
his credit. It is a mark
that will probably never
be equaled.
After graduating
from Weber State, he
took his first job at tiny
Coupeville (Whidbey
Island) and later moved
to Colfax.
He took the job at
Tumwater 43 years ago
and it wasn’t until 1987
(26 years ago) the TBirds captured their
first state championship. (21-14 over West
Valley of Yakima.)
Highly religious and
soft-spoken, Otton is a
member of the LDS
Church and served as
Bishop of a Ward in
Olympia.
SPORTS TRIVIA
1
FOOD • GOLF • FUN
2
How many children
did Muhammed Ali
have?
A. Three
B. Five
C. Nine
3
How old was Ali
when he won the
title from Sonny Li-
ston?
A. Twenty-two
B. Twenty-three
C. Twenty-one
4
Ali won the title in
1964. Why didn’t he
fight from 1967-70?
A. Legal troubles
B. Was in jail
C. No contenders
5
Who was the inspiration for Ali’s
brash style?
A. A pro wrestler
B. His mother
C. Floyd Patterson
6
Born Cassius Clay,
what was his middle
name?
A. Marcellus
B. Anthony
C. Donald
7
What year did Ali
win an Olympic
Gold Medal?
EXCELLENCE,
then,
IS NOT AN ACT,
but a
HABIT.
This message brought to you by Carpenter Ranches.
Page 10 •
FAMILY FUN
CENTER
What city did Muhammed Ali grow
up in?
A. Cincinnati
B. Chicago
C. Louisville
We are what we repeatedly do.
Aristotle, Greek Philosopher
June, 2016
SPORTS PLACE • www.jeffplace.com
A. 1962
B. 1964
C. 1960
8
Ali made his return
to the ring at age 29
in 1970 against
who?
A. Ernie Terrell
B. Jerry Quarry
C. Floyd Patterson
9
Ali often said that
he was fighting for
who?
A. Little man in ghetto
B. His mother
C. Nation of Islam
1
0 In January, 1981,
what did Ali do that
made the news?
A. Announced a
comeback
B. Talked man from
jumping off ledge
C. Announced he had
Parkinson’s
ANSWERS: 1.) Louisville, 2.) Nine, 3.) 22, 4.)
A, 5.) A, Gorgeous George, 6.) Marcellus, 7.)
1960, 8.) Quarry, 9.) A, 10.) B
Sharon & Randy DuFord
Local Owners
Book Your
Party
Today!
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Mini Golf
9-Hole Golf Course
Driving Range
Daily Lunch Specials
Pedal Karts
Human Foosball
Video Games
Much, Much More!
FAMILY FUN
CENTER
FOOD • GOLF • FUN
530 Cherry Hill Rd.
Granger, WA
Golf: 509-854-1800
Doc’s: 509-854-2294
www.grangerfun.com
www.grangergolf.com
Liberty Church
Visitor’s
Welcome!
Sunday School
9:30 AM
Morning Worship
10:30 AM
(509) 854-1762
PASTOR
Greg Jochen
The Place for Sports
June, 2016
TURN BACK THE CLOCK
DAVE
Martin Family
AUTO SALES • PROSSER
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SPORTS HISTORY
Wilkins Quits as Sonics Coach; Nunez leads NW
Cars
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(509) 786-5344 • Cell: (509) 781-0710
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JUNE 2, 1972:
eattle super-guard,
Lenny Wilkins announces he is through
as player-coach of the Super Sonics.
“I’ve decided to give up
coaching and continue as a
player,” he stated.
The all-star guard knew
the dual role would be difficult. “But the challenge
and the opportunity outweighed any other consideration,” he added.
Seattle finished the year
47-35 which was the best
finish by any Sonic team
since they joined the NBA
as an expansion franchise
back in 1967.
The 36-year-old Wilkins
averaged 16 ppg this past
season and he expressed
disappointment in Seattle’s
ability to make the playoffs
for the fifth straight year.
Note: The following season, Seattle dropped to 26-56
under Tom Nissalke and
Bucky Buckwalter. Bill Russell was hired as coach the
next season.
Wilkins would return as
coach of Seattle in 1978 and
they would win the NBA
Championship.
S
SUNNYSIDE
•
•
•
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Page 11
Air Conditioning
Alignment
Batteries
Belts & Hoses
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110 Sunnyside Avenue
Granger, WA
(509) 854-2500
Locally Owned & Operated
Carl & Judy Hurlburt
Owners
JUNE 1, 1977:
aking a look at small
college statistics,
Dick Nunez of Central Washington University
leads Northwest small college shot putters with a
toss of 52-10.
Teammates Mike Daniels and Jim Hennessey
lead in the discus and the
mile. Daniels has a toss of
172-11 and Hennessey a
4:09.8 clocking in the mile.
Note: Nunez would later
become the manager at the
Lower Valley Athletic Club
in Prosser.
T
Lenny
Wilkins
JUNE 30, 1984:
ormer BYU quarterback, Steve Young,
led the Los Angeles
Express to a 27-21 victory
of the USFL Champions,
the Michigan Panthers.
The overtime contest
lasted 93 minutes and 33
seconds , the longest football game ever played.
The following season,
Young signed with the
NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers and after a couple
lack-luster years, was traded to San Francisco.
As they say, the rest is
history.
JUNE 30, 1994:
t was a small transaction, but one that paid
dividends for the Seattle Mariners.
Bobby Wells of Yakima
was signed off waivers
from the Philadelphia Phillies.
He went on to pitch
eight productive seasons in
the Major Leagues as a reliever including appearing
in a league-leading 76
games in 1999.
Wells spent four seasons
in Seattle.
F
I
www.jeffplace.com •
SPORTS PLACE • Page 11
The Place for Sports
Page 12
Where Drivers from Prosser, Yakima or
Tri-Cities Go for their Next New or
Used Ford Model Vehicle!
June, 2016
THE BACK PAGE
The Days of Pinkeye
(From May 1995 Issue)
L
Tom Denchel’s
FORD COUNTRY
(509) 786-2155
630 Wine Country Road • Prosser
www.fordcountry.com/Prosser
New Therapy Pool
Opens in Prosser
A newly remodeled pool opened
in Prosser this spring.
A joint collaboration between
Prosser Family Fitness Zone and PMH
Medical Center led to this exciting
new benefit for therapy patients and
the community.
“The aquatic environment provides buoyancy for the body and all
four limbs, but can also provide resistance to movement in any direction,” says Joe Ashton, manager of
Therapy Services for PMH Medical
Center.
PMH Aquatic Therapy patients
receive a treatment program designed by a Physical Therapist specifically for their condition to help
them accomplish their goals.
To learn more about
PMH Aquatic Therapy
services, call 786-6626.
723 Memorial Street • Prosser
Page 12 •
SPORTS PLACE • www.jeffplace.com
Anna York,
PTA
arson Park used to be
the hottest spot in
town when it came to
entertainment.
In 1965, adult fastpitch
softball tallied 32 teams in
Yakima and it remained
high through the 1980’s.
It was not uncommon to
see the stands full, people
watching outside the fence
in lawn chairs and BBQ
grills working overtime.
The names are endless
but perhaps one of the best
rivalries included pitchers
Dick Christensen, Dwayne
“Tiger” Kamphius and the
man who brought flair to
the pitching mound, Scott
“Pinkeye” Wilson.
The owner of Finders
Furniture in Yakima was
flamboyant.
Known as “Pinkeye” because of his pink glasses,
pink glove and pink Cadillac, he really turned heads
when he sported pink cowboy boots with spurs and
spikes while pitching.
“You name it, he did it,”
stated Dave Long, who
used to own Ole’s Tavern.
“When the fans started
getting on him, he came to
the game one time with a
bunch of boxes of hot dogs
and handed them out!”
Wilson is now also involved with the Yakima
Beetles and contributes to
youth baseball in the community.
SPORTS LAUGH
“A
s a kid, we moved
a lot,” said NBA
Hall of Famer,
Larry Bird. “The most
memorable move for me
was the one from West
Baden to French Lick (Indiana).”
“Every time we moved,
we kids got really involved,” said the former
Celtics all-star. “We’d help
paint and wallpaper and so
on.”
“I had a job delivering
papers and there was a
house I was always afraid
to deliver to because it
looked as if ghosts were
live there,” he recounted.
“There had been two
porches, but one was torn
down and the whole place
looked dangerous and
scary,” he said.
“I was really excited
about this move to French
Lick and couldn’t wait to
get there,” Bird stated.
“When we pulled up in the
driveway, my heart almost
stopped beating.”
“It was the scary house!”
Whether planning for retirement, saving
for college or grandchildren or just trying
to protect the financial future, let me
work with you to develop a strategy to
achieve your goal.
BILL JENKIN
1119 Meade Avenue • Prosser
(509) 786-7787