The Kamiak High School girls basketball program has a new leader.
May Tupua, a 1996 Lynnwood graduate, has been selected to be the team’s new head coach, Kamiak athletics director Sean Monica announced in a press release Monday.
“I’m really passionate about developing the girls and helping them become future leaders,” Tupua said. “Growing up playing sports, a lot of the trades and the values that I learn in sports I apply today.
“… I learned a lot when I was playing, and I thought I’d give back and help shape the future for some of the girls.”
Tupua replaces Brian Norman, who guided the Knights to a 69-68 record and two Class 4A state regional appearances over six seasons.
Tupua spent the past three seasons as an assistant coach at her alma mater and has been coaching the Seattle Swarm AAU’s class of 2026 team.
Social-distancing practices will keep Tupua from meeting in person with her players and getting a chance to see what sort of talent she has at her disposal in the near future, but she said Norman has helped her become familiar with who the team is set to return next season. She also said she plans to set up Zoom sessions with players in an effort to start building relationships as soon as possible while still abiding by social-distancing measures.
Tupua, who works as a senior manager at Boeing, was a three-sport athlete while attending Lynnwood, participating on the Royals’ girls basketball, volleyball and track and field teams. Tupua helped the girls basketball squad to a sixth-place finish at the 3A state tournament in 1994.
Openings listed for two more girls basketball programs
Lynnwood and Mariner each had head girls basketball coaches recently step down from their respective positions.
Both schools posted openings for the positions in late April on the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association’s website.
The Royals are looking to replace Brandon Newby, who led the school’s girls basketball team for the past three seasons. Newby compiled a 30-35 record with the Royals, which included a run to the regional round of the 3A state tournament in his first season.
Jamie Gepner leaves the Marauders’ girls program after just two seasons at the helm. Gepner took over a Mariner team that was coming off a landmark 15-win 2017-18 season, but was also hit hard by the graduation and transfers of key players after the season. Gepner compiled a 6-33 record with the Marauders.
Monroe’s Fregoso to play D-II football
Monroe quarterback Gio Fregoso announced Tuesday on Twitter that he’ll be continuing his football career with NCAA Division-II East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma.
#COMMITTED #FAMILY #TIGERNATION🐅 pic.twitter.com/VcdmqDLMVW
— Gio Fregoso (@gio_fregoso) May 5, 2020
Fregoso completed 144 of 209 passes (68.9%) and tossed 21 touchdowns and just five interceptions in his senior season with the Bearcats. Fregoso added a touchdown rushing and was selected second-team All-Wesco 4A. He also helped Monroe to a Week 10 playoff game.
Division-I boys hoops showcase canceled
The WIAA announced Monday that the association and the Washington Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Association have made the decision to cancel their Division-I Basketball Showcase amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The showcase was scheduled for June 27 and 28 at Bellevue College. There are no plans to reschedule the even due to “the uncertainty of this health crisis and the recruiting window set forth by the NCAA,” the statement from the WIAA said.
The showcase features 16 teams, selected by region, with 10 players on each squad.
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