The next seven days will be particularly busy and full of challenges for the state-ranked Jackson High School boys basketball team.
Ranked the fifth-best team in Class 4A on Jan. 4 by the Tacoma News Tribune, the Jackson Timberwolves have three Western Conference 4A crossover games this week, starting with tonight’s game at Arlington (6-1 Wesco 4A, 8-3 overall). Arlington’s only league loss was against North Division rival Monroe (6-1, 9-3), which plays at Jackson (6-0, 10-1) on Thursday. Both games tip off at 7:30 p.m.
On Friday, Jackson of the South Division will battle its third crossover opponent in four days when the T-wolves play at Marysville-Pilchuck (2-4, 3-8).
Then Jackson, the 2010 4A state runnerup, has a high-profile showdown with 3A No. 3 Lincoln of Tacoma. Jackson plays Lincoln at 2:30 p.m. on Monday during the annual King Holiday Hoopfest. The game will be at the University of Washington’s Hec Edmundson Pavilion.
The other games scheduled for Monday at Hec Ed are: Bothell vs. Decatur at 9:30 a.m.; Chief Sealth vs. Bellevue at 11 a.m.; Seattle Prep vs. Lakes at 12:30 p.m.; O’Dea vs. Jefferson at 4 p.m.; Franklin vs. Federal Way at 6 p.m.; and Rainier Beach vs. Garfield at 8 p.m.
Led by University of Oregon recruit Brett Kingma (30 points per game) and senior forward Austin O’Keefe (17.5 ppg), Jackson was originally scheduled to play Decatur in the King Holiday Hoopfest. But a change was granted because Jackson already played Decatur this season. Jackson beat Decatur 74-63 in a season-opening game on Nov. 30.
Jackson’s only loss this season was a 68-63 setback on Dec. 11 against defending 4A state champion Kentwood, ranked No. 3 in 4A.
Ex-wrestler Batts entering Mountlake Terrace Hall of Fame
John Batts, a 1975 graduate of Mountlake Terrace High, will be inducted into the school’s Athletics Hall of Fame on Thursday during the Glacier Peak versus Mountlake Terrace wrestling meet. Varsity action begins at 7 p.m.
Batts was a three-time state wrestling tournament placer for Mountlake Terrace. He won an individual state wrestling title — the first in school history — in ’75. Batts is a firefighter and a former Terrace assistant wrestling coach.
Football coach hall of fame induction Jan. 22 in Bellevue
The Washington State Football Coaches Association will induct four members into its Hall of Fame during a ceremony on Jan. 22 at the Hilton Bellevue Hotel. The Class of 2011 coach inductees are Quincy High’s Bill Alexander, Wilson High’s Don Clegg, Toutle Lake High’s Scott Grabenhorst and O’Dea High’s Monte Kohler. For more information about the event and the coaches’ association, go to www.washcoach.org.
Mike Cane: mcane@heraldnet.com. Check out the prep sports blog Double Team at www.heraldnet.com/doubleteam and follow Cane on Twitter at MikeCaneHerald.
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