He’s a young man of many talents, on and off the court.

I know Damascus Purnell as a burly junior forward who prowls the paint for the Mariner High School boys basketball team and leads the Marauders in scoring. Based on a recent announcement, Purnell clearly has some impressive non-sports skills too.

Purnell designed a logo honoring the Civil Conservation Corps in his graphic arts class at Mariner. His logo was picked “to appear next year in literature promoting national parks and the 75th anniversary of the founding of the CCC, a work-relief program from 1933 to 1942 for young men from unemployed families,” according to a story in today’s Herald written by Eric Stevick.

For more details on Purnell’s award-winning design, click here.

Tonight Purnell will put aside his graphic arts pursuits and take on the unbeaten Meadowdale Mavericks (5-0). Mariner (4-1) plays host to Meadowdale at 7:30 p.m. in a key Western Conference South Division game.

I’ll be there, and I expect to see a physical, low-scoring battle. Both teams are known for playing excellent defense. Meadowdale has allowed an average of just 42 points per game this season against four Wesco foes (Arlington, Everett, Edmonds-Woodway and Jackson). Meanwhile, Mariner has given up an average of just 33.8 points in its five games.

Purnell (11.5 points per game) and senior guard Joey Dillon (10.6 ppg) are Mariner’s top scorers. Meadowdale, one of the South’s deepest, tallest squads, is led by senior center Evan Matteson (12.8 ppg) and senior guard Paul Werner (11.0).

My prediction: Meadowdale 47, Mariner 44.