Some people call Brittany Eskridge “The Sleeper.”
“I haven’t quite woken up to realize my potential,” explained Eskridge, a Jackson High School senior.
Fortunately for Eskridge, a 6-foot-2 post player, the right folks are well aware of her budding basketball ability.
Eskridge verbally accepted a full-ride scholarship offer from Oregon State University on Sunday after taking an official recruiting visit to Corvallis. The honorable mention All-Wesco South player, who averaged about 10 points per game last season, also considered Fresno State and San Francisco.
Eskridge said she had been leaning toward Fresno State and had low expectations for her Oregon State visit, the Corvallis trip pleasantly surprised her: “I fell in love with the staff and the players right away. It just felt like home.”
Known for her shot-blocking and rebounding prowess, Eskridge has worked hard to bolster her game. She could eventually become a very dynamic college player, Jackson girls basketball coach Jeannie Thompson said. “Her best features are her body size and athleticism,” Thompson said, citing the post’s quickness, jumping ability and long arms. “With those athletic abilities she’ s a great investment for a school like (Oregon State) to spend some time and money developing her.”
Eskridge, who started playing basketball about six years ago, said she originally thought Corvallis would be too cold and too small. But the weekend visit quickly changed her mind.
As she got into a car with her father on Sunday and prepared to return home, the decision hit her: “I said, ‘Dad, this is where I need to be.’ “
It looks like The Sleeper woke up.
New E-W baseball coach
Matt Barker was hired as head baseball coach at Edmonds-Woodway. The 1994 E-W graduate was the junior varsity coach last season. He replaces former E-W coach Joe Webster. Barker was previously a head coach at Shoreline Community College and Squalicum High. “Matt has a keen understanding of what it takes to develop (student-athletes) from both a mental and physical standpoint,” Terri McMahan, Edmonds School District athletic director, said in a press release.
Super Mann
Senior running back Josh Mann broke Sultan’s single-season rushing record on Friday in a victory over Lakewood. According to Sultan coach Jim MacDicken, Mann increased his rushing total to 1,238 yards in nine games, surpassing the previous mark of 1,230 yards set by Randy Carberry in 1972 (also in nine games). Carberry, who attends every Sultan home game, said he is honored to see such a fine young man break the record. Mann has a chance to increase his total on Friday when Sultan (6-3) plays Lynden (8-1) in a Class 2A District 1 playoff game.
King’s bros. go 1-2
Twin brothers Evan and Jeff Dull of King’s placed first and second, respectively, Saturday at the District 1 1A cross country championships. The seniors led King’s to the boys team title. Olivia Thomas (second place) helped the King’s girls win too.
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