PREP NOTEBOOK: Marysville-Pilchuck’s Crenshaw wreaks havoc on opposing goalies
Published 2:43 pm Monday, May 4, 2009
John Crenshaw is a playmaker. In an instant, his speed, agility and determination create nightmares for opponents.
A junior midfielder, Crenshaw is having a spectacular season for the first-place Marysville-Pilchuck High School boys soccer team. Through 14 games, he tallied 18 goals and eight assists, both team-leading totals for the Tomahawks, who were 12-0-2 entering Monday’s game versus Lake Stevens.
Constantly wreaking havoc near the net, Crenshaw had two goals and an assist April 28 in M-P’s 5-3 victory over Snohomish. Afterward, M-P senior Seth Jones praised his relentless teammate.
“Playing with him is amazing. It’s unbelievable,” Jones said. “His speed and his passion for the game — he never gives up. He’ll go for anything. It’s just fun to see him go out there and create plays out of nothing.”
With Crenshaw’s help, the Tomahawks have outscored foes 48-15. During a nine-game winning streak, they have scored 31 goals, allowed seven and earned four shutouts.
Crenshaw improved dramatically between the 2008 and 2009 seasons, said Jones. The second-year varsity team member has “stepped up and been a huge leader for our team,” Jones said.
Ranked No. 8 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America/adidas regional poll, M-P plays its final regular-season game Wednesday against Arlington in Marysville.
Glacier Peak’s injury woes
Before its debut season, the Glacier Peak boys soccer team was picked to win the Wesco South in The Herald’s coaches’ poll. But season-ending injuries to two of the team’s top players — defender/captain Craig Eberli (broken leg) and forward Shane Miller (stress fracture in back) — have hurt the Grizzlies, who through last week were 1-4-2 in Wesco South games (5-7-2 overall). The misfortune has been a huge challenge for Glacier Peak, coach Daghan Kesim said. But, on the bright side, it has helped the team build good character, he said.
Lynnwood learns to adapt
Matt Rockne is the Lynnwood softball team’s fourth head coach in four years. All that change could be frustrating for players, but senior pitcher Julia Nealer said the Royals make the best of it. “All the girls have just adapted really well to it,” Nealer said, “and we all have (good) team chemistry. Having a new coach hasn’t really affected us any, except for each coach bringing in a new (system) to teach us more.” Lynnwood (11-4 overall) is tied for third place in the Wesco South.
College commitments and signings
The following student-athletes signed or committed to play collegiate sports: Mariner teammates Tevin Dillon and Michael Minor (Bellevue Community College basketball) and Nick Malysheff (North Seattle Community College basketball); Jackson’s Alison Ponce (University of Washington cross country/track), Ben Lance (Gonzaga University cross country/track) and Ian McLeod (Western Washington University cross country/track); and Stanwood teammates Lyndsay Burrows and Corinne Stillman (Bellevue CC softball).
Mike Cane, 425-339-3471, mcane@heraldnet.com
