- Newport
- Bellevue
- Roosevelt
- Bainbridge
- Curtis
- Rogers
- Auburn Mountainview
- Enumclaw
- Auburn Riverside
- Puyallup
By virtue of winning the North Division, the
Newport Knights earned an automatic berth in the State Championships and avoided the mayhem and pressure of the divisional playoffs at KCAC. With no one to play locally, the Knights headed to San Diego for a little playoff primer against the California boys. You can expect the Knights to earn a few wins along with a few servings of humble pie. Regardless of the outcome in California, the Knights are still
No. 1 in Washington.
Bellevue faced a daunting task to start the week. If they wanted to advance to State, they needed to secure victories over Bainbridge and Roosevelt. The Wolverines took care of business in workman like fashion, grinding out a three point win over Bainbridge and a two point victory over Roosevelt. Welcome to State and the
No. 2 ranking. Bellevue is also travelling to San Diego. Like Newport, the Wolverines should get a few wins and also learn a few lessons. Last week, the committee advised
Roosevelt to pick up the wheels and put them back on the bus before heading down to KCAC for the North division playoffs. It was just assumed that the Roughriders would remember to inflate the tires before they left. Roosevelt overcame a sluggish first half against an upset minded Mercer Island and narrowly averted playoff elimination by outscoring the Islanders 6 to 1 in the 2nd half and surviving with a 1 point victory. Against Bellevue, the Roughriders were in the game the whole way before Bellevue shut them down in the 4th quarter. Roosevelt drops to
No. 3 this week, but at least they're still alive in the playoff hunt. Hey Roosevelt, you just might want to tighten the lug nuts before your Halloween trip to KCAC.
Bainbridge started the week with a first round match against Bellevue. In a hard fought battle, the Spartans fell short and found themselves needing to beat a rejuvenated Mercer Island or face elimination. Bainbridge easily took care of business downing Mercer Island by a score of 14 -3 and hold on to their
No. 4 ranking. Now Bainbridge has the pleasure of facing Roosevelt in a winner to state/loser out game on Halloween night. That's right folks, it's No. 3 vs. No.4 in an elimination game. Wow, it just doesn't get more exciting! A note to fans and parents planning to attend this game. This one promises to be a thriller.
If you either have heart problems, are pregnant, or think you are are pregnant, please check with your health care professional before attending this event. In the most anticipated game of last week,
Curtis visited Rogers in another rematch of last years' championship. Rogers was looking for a regular season sweep and a chance to move up in the rankings. Curtis was looking for revenge after dropping an earlier season match by 2 points. Normally one would expect a lot of offense when these two powers meet, but it turned out to be the defensive showdown of the season. Curtis was up 4-1 at the half and held on for a 5 - 3 victory and claim the title of West Division Champion. Offense may win games, but defense wins championships. Both teams look ready to take their show to State. Curtis finished the regular season with wins over Puyallup and Lakes, and retain the
No. 5 ranking.
Rogers closed out the week with a victory over Mark Morris and enter the state playoff ranked
No. 6. Looks like
Auburn Mountainview took the Committee's suggestion to tighten up their defense seriously. The Lions made a big statement by slowing down Auburn Riverside's potent offense in a 12 -7 victory. The Lions closed out the week with an impressive 21 -10 win over Wilson and move up one spot this week to
No. 7. Auburn Mountainview is the East Division Champion and appears to be ready for the playoffs. The Committee knows the Lions believe they should be ranked higher, but there is a bit of a logjam ahead of them. The
Enumclaw Hornets have been getting a little better each week and last weeks 14-13 victory over Auburn Riverside has to be the icing on their cake for the regular season. It might have been a bit of a slow start at the beginning of the season, but the Hornets are proving that they can play with anyone. Playoff opponents beware, the Hornets jump up to
No. 8 this week. The Ravens of
Auburn Riverside had their feathers ruffled this week in division play with tough losses to Auburn Mountainview and Enumclaw. With those two teams moving up, the Ravens drop down two positions to
No. 9. Probably not the way they wanted to end the regular season, but a valuable lesson to learn before the playoffs. Rest up Ravens, its been a great season and a good run in the playoffs is not out of the question. Yes
Puyallup, that means you are dropping one spot to
No. 10. It's not your fault. The Vikings added to their win total with victories over Emerald Ridge and Kentridge. A three point loss to Curtis is very respectable and shows improvement from earlier in the season. Hey, it's really no big deal. Puyallup is still moving onto the playoffs and the rankings don't influence the playoff seeding (I think). Win a few in the playoffs and move up.
Correct! These rankings have no influence on the seedlings for state. It's just one persons attempt at being unbiased. A league that does not have enough cross over games between the three divisions, but still ranks the north teams over the south. Why don't you be honest and put Mercer Island at number 5.
ReplyDeleteIt should also be pointed out that the state tournament is going to be high school tournament between high school teams and year round teams who do not have to follow by the same rules as the "high school" teams. We have teams that are playing in more than their 20 game schedule, 8th graders, more than 2 tournaments and zero school support. This is just an attempt by failing league trying to hurt the integrity of a successful south league.
There is not oversight of the north teams, so no reason to follow the same rules
Mean my comments in the politest way possible. The North teams are very good. Their actions this season have not illustrated that they want or ever will be high school teams.
ReplyDeleteI would hope that the commissioners would pay attention to this and protect the athletes and coaches who have very hard to follow the rules creating a all-high school league. I know I have the support of 8 of the state teams and 14 overall.
I hope this is a one year thing. No one seems to be happy with the north teams being part of the state tournament since they don't play by the same rules at all. After November 5th will the north teams cease to play until summer and stop again August 1 until fall sports begin?
ReplyDeleteRespect the opinion expressed above but let's clear up a few misconceptions before this conversation potentailly deteriorates into something that was not intended. First, in terms of player eligibility the north teams agreed this year to follow WIAA eligibility rules. They actually play less games than the southend teams and no northend team participated in more than two tournaments. The high school club teams are not year-round clubs. They do cease play after the high school season ends and do not start up until fall sports begin. Some of the northend players do play for year-round clubs which is similar to high school soccer players that play for year-round clubs. The primary year-round clubs that they play for are Rain City and United. The difference in quality of play over the last few years is mostly attributable to the influence of the United club. Most of the elite United players (with one notable exception) that influenced play in the northend are either playing for CPA or graduated last year. It is interesting to note that United also has southend players and many southend players also play for Puget Sound Water Polo. To my knowledge, only one team allows 8th graders to play JV. Because the northend JV league is a club league they have been able to do so. If the high school league officials require them to stop allowing 8th graders, I'm sure they will stop doing so. I can't speak on school support for all the teams but it seems like some of them must have support. I respect and admire the integrity of the south league but I don't think inclusion of the north is a threat to the south teams. The south divisions were down to 13 teams. One was ineligible for the playoffs and another had to forfeit quite a few games which makes 11 viable teams this year. One could argue that a merger of the leagues is in the best interest of everyone in the long run.
ReplyDeleteJust so everyone knows, Bellevue has no year around players...ie..no one plays for United or Rain City. The team is a true High School Team and the coaches have followed all of the WIAA rules, probably more than most.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that it is a problem with year round players that find club teams to join. The problem is when teams are practicing and playing together year round, or even outside of the the time approved by the league. I have heard that some teams play in tournaments outside of the time approved by the league.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe that is the case. Some high school teammates might be playing on the same year-round club, but the high school team is not practicing or playing together outside of the season. Pool time in the northend is too expensive to make that very practical.
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ReplyDeleteJust curious, who is the best water polo coach in the state?
ReplyDeleteIs there going to be another impact players recognition article this year? I found that to be very interesting.
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ReplyDeleteWait, last time I checked, the Rain City coach was the head coach of Bellevue, and the player scoring almost all of Bellevue's goals played on the Untied JO's team. Hmmm no year round players?
ReplyDeleteThe "player scoring almost all of Bellevue's goals" is not a year round player and did not play on the United JO's". He plays two other High School sports. The Rain City Head Coach does not coach Bellevue.
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ReplyDeleteWho else thinks that the Bellevue head coach is the Committee? He comes to SO MANY games. Hahahaha
ReplyDeleteOh I mistook the assistant coach (Evan Kaseguma)for the Bellevue head coach. And I agree with the above. I have seen him at a lot of our games as well.
ReplyDeleteWho cares who the "committee" is?...The only thing they, whomever they are, is promoting water polo in the nw....that is a good thing, and they don't seem biased to me.
ReplyDeleteMike VanEaton is the best coach
ReplyDeleteriverside is not the best team but they are good
ReplyDeleteRiverside just may be the very best next year....we shall see!!
ReplyDeleteRiverside has improved greatly, I cant wait to see them next year!
ReplyDeleteIt's obveous new port betterest than all the resteses. #1 all the way. Yeah boy.
ReplyDeleteWater Polo can never make it as a high school sport in this area, no more than swimming can. The best athletes, clubs and swimmers are those from all year round club teams or they at least swim or play in the off season. The WIAA attempt to make swimming and water polo fit into a football and basketball mold only serves to bring the level of play down. The Water Polo Commission for both north and south teams would best serve the athletes by giving the WIAA the finger and maintaining the highest game play they can. Merging both north and south with common rules would be a good thing but limiting the north teams to arbitrary rules, again, only makes the game play come down. Do you think Rogers would have been able to compete at all without some of those kids playing in the off season with Curtis? No way. This is the best example of how important it is to play all year round. Look at Southern Cals. high school formula. They are the most successful programs in the US. Emulate the best and you will be the best.
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