Boys basketball officials to honor Monroe’s Wille, Snohomish’s Wilde
Published 11:40 pm Friday, March 28, 2008
Everyone makes mistakes, including officials.
It seems obvious, right? But by always remembering that simple truth Brett Wille has become one of the area’s most appreciated basketball coaches.
Wille, head coach of the Monroe High School boys hoops team, is the winner of this year’s Norm Lowery Sr. Coach of the Year Award, presented by the Snohomish County Boys Basketball Officials Association.
Wille and other SCBOA award winners will be recognized at 6:30 p.m. tonight during a banquet at Naval Station Everett.
According to official Mark Myers — the SCBOA vice president and banquet chairman — Wille is an even-keeled coach who doesn’t complain or chirp at officials.
“He’s one of those guys that everybody just respects. His temperament is perfect. His ability to interact with officials is top-notch,” Myers said.
Wille guided Monroe to a 13-7 record this past season, including a 10-6 mark in Western Conference North Division games. The Bearcats narrowly missed earning a spot in the Class 4A District 1 tournament, losing a head-to-head tiebreaker with Stanwood and Lake Stevens for the final two North berths.
The SCBOA Coach of the Year Award is picked by officials at the end of the season. It’s given to a coach who demonstrates great sportsmanship, fair play and leadership, Myers said.
“It’s just a big honor for our entire program,” Wille said. “It says a lot about not just me but everybody involved.”
Other SCBOA award winners are Snohomish High senior Zach Wilde (Dennis Myers Player of the Year) and Sultan High (Host School of the Year).
Wilde, The Herald’s 2007-2008 All-Area Boys Basketball Player of the Year, is a four-year varsity-team contributor who became the first player in program history to play in four state tournaments.
Wilde, who averaged 15.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.0 assists in his senior season, came a long way in terms of attitude the past several years, Mark Myers said.
“Zach was a little bit of a challenge to work with when he was a freshman (but) he’s really matured. The officials have really enjoyed seeing him grow,” said Myers.
Wilde’s award includes a $500 scholarship for college. The 6-foot-6 forward has not yet determined his post-high school plans.
The final SCBOA honor goes to Sultan High, the third-consecutive Cascade Conference school to be named Host of the Year. Last year Granite Falls won the award and two years ago King’s won it.
“Sultan really stepped up this year,” said Myers, who praised the school’s hospitality toward officials and its ability to keep fans under control.
Writer Mike Cane: mcane@heraldnet.com. Check out the prep sports blog Double Team at cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/heraldnet/doubleteam.
