The quest to preserve an undefeated record can create an exhausting amount of hype and pressure.
The Meadowdale High School girls basketball team won’t have to worry about that this season.
Meadowdale started its 2006-2007 season 26-0 before losing its final two games in the Class 3A state tournament. But after a 69-67 loss Wednesday against Western Conference South Division rival Jackson, the Mavericks are 4-1.
Meadowdale coach Dan Taylor said he was disappointed his squad blew a nine-point lead in the fourth quarter against Jackson, but the defeat might ultimately provide valuable motivation.
“I love it. It prepares us for playoffs,” said Taylor, who had guided Meadowdale to a 53-7 record in three seasons.
“It’s going to be one of those games we can learn from,” he added. “I’d rather have that early loss that we can pick ourselves up from … than to go undefeated (for so long) like we did last year.”
The emergence of improving players like senior guard Alli Streit and junior center Anna Molitor has impressed Taylor. Against Jackson, the relatively unsung contributors combined to score 23 points. Said Taylor, Molitor “stepped it up. That’s what we expected her to do this season, but for a big game I really appreciated that.”
“(Streit) too. She’s a fighter,” Taylor added. “Right now if I were to give the most inspirational award it’d be her because she does not want to lose.”
Meadowdale will try to bounce back this week from its first loss of the season. The Mavericks have two contests versus Wesco South foes: Wednesday at home against Mariner (1-5) and Friday at Shorecrest (4-2).
Cascade alumni boys hoops game is Saturday
Anyone who ever played boys basketball for Cascade High is invited to participate in the 2007 Crimson &Grey Alumni Basketball Game 1 p.m. Saturday at the Cascade gym. The cost to play is $25. It includes a T-shirt and admission to a post-game pizza social. To sign up contact first-year Cascade head boys basketball coach Jamar Williams at jwilliams@everettsd.org, or call 425-385-6059.
Edmonds-Woodway post Polovina is a rim-rocker
It was an exciting flash of potential, and Gail Pintler hopes to see more of it. Pintler, coach of the Edmonds-Woodway boys basketball team, said he knew junior Kenan Polovina had it in him, referring to the 6-foot-6 post’s powerful two-hand, fast-break dunk Dec, 11 in a 48-45 victory against Mariner. Early in the fourth quarter, Polovina stole the ball at one end of the court and took it all the way to the other end for a jam that came near the end of a huge E-W spurt.
Polovina scored just four points in the game, but his slam was a stunning highlight.
“I know he can jump,” E-W’s Connor Donaldson said, “but I didn’t expect him to throw it down that hard. It looked like he tore the rim off.”
E-W keeper signs with Northwest University
Jordan Holmes, a senior goalkeeper from Edmonds-Woodway, will play next year for the Northwest University women’s soccer team. A three-year starter and 2007 team co-captain, Holmes earned All-Wesco South first team honors this past season. Northwest University, located in Kirkland, is an NAIA school that competes in the Cascade Collegiate Conference.
Hanford senior is state volleyball player of the year
Brittany Quick, a senior middle blocker from Hanford High School, was named the 2007-2008 Gatorade Washington Volleyball Player of the Year. Quick, a 6-foot-1 University of Montana recruit, led Hanford to the Class 3A state championship. She had 17 kills, 11 digs and three blocks in a title-match victory over Auburn Riverside. Her season totals were 464 kills, 316 digs and 258 blocks.
By Mike Cane, Herald Writer
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