The Herald’s 2008-2009 All-Name Basketball Team

Certain names seem like they were made for sports.

One of my all-time favorite local athletes names is Rodrick Rumble, who was a fantastic football/basketball/track and field standout at Oak Harbor High School. His name was fun to say, fun to type and fun to see in print. I was pretty bummed last spring when he finished up at Oak Harbor.

Recently I thought: Which current players have great names? Who is the heir to Rumble’s throne? I scanned rosters of local teams and highlighted my favorites. To keep it simple, I looked only at varsity boys and girls basketball players. I wanted names that were funny, could somehow be tied to a familiar sports reference or were just flat-out cool.

Sure, The Herald’s 2008-2009 All-Name Basketball Team is not quite as prestigious as other honors we announce each school year. And now that I think about it, the athletes’ parents probably deserve all the credit — they named their kids, right?

Enough stalling. Here are my picks for The Herald’s 2008-2009 All-Name Basketball Team. As always, share your thoughts in the comments section. If you find a great name that I missed, tell me!

ALL-NAME TEAM: BOYS BASKETBALL

Hunter Hammer, Coupeville (Easily the coolest name since Rodrick Rumble. I hope they both become pro wrestlers.)

Chuck Norris, South Whidbey (If a foe gets out of line, Chuck delivers a devastating slo-mo karate kick.)

Ryan Legg, Lake Stevens (Senior guard helps the Vikings get a Legg up in Wesco North.)

Paul Clingan, M. Terrace (A pesky defender who is always Clingan to opponents.)

Ryan Bury, Edmonds-Woodway (Junior guard loves to Bury a jump shot.)

BOYS HONORABLE MENTION

Seiya Kitchens, King’s (If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the Kitchens’ way.)

TJ Dodge and Jerodan Dodge, Lake Stevens; and Ryan Dodge, Shorecrest (Experts at their own version of hoops known as Dodge ball.)

Shannan Bird, Lakewood (Makes me think of famous Birds, like Larry, Sue and Big.)

Blair Diamond, Lakewood (This junior forward has flashy skills.)

Brian Wolfe, Snohomish (Plays like he’s starved for competition. Inspires others to be hungry like the Wolfe.)

ALL-NAME TEAM: GIRLS BASKETBALL

Jordan Nemo, Stanwood (She’s the team’s top scorer so opponents are focused on finding Nemo.)

Ashley Hope, Everett (No matter what the score is, this senior co-captain gives the Seagulls Hope.)

Kristina Bride, Snohomish (Contributing significantly as a freshman, she clearly believes in commitment.)

Anna Work, Lakewood (Guarding the Cougars’ leading scorer, who averages 16.2 points, is hard Work.)

Caroline Towles, Shorecrest (The Scots often throw in the Towles because of her great intensity and athleticism.)

GIRLS HONORABLE MENTION

Amy Shook, Mountlake Terrace (No matter the situation, she never Shook under pressure.)

Carlee Duncan, Arlington (This guard is only 5-foot-5 so I don’t predict any Duncan.)

Wytia Peeples, Mountlake Terrace (Critical of ball hogs, she promotes power to the Peeples.)

Kelli Cutright, King’s (On offense, always count on her to Cutright.)