February 10, 2012 [17]
www.bellevuereporter.com
BELLEVUE
SPORTS
FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME
I
SPORTS
Leaving their mark
Scoreboard 3A KingCo boys tournament Bellevue 46 Mercer Island 44 Timmy Haehl put in 14 points to lead the Wolverines to the come-frombehind win over Mercer Island and their fourth straight 3A KingCo tourmament title game on Thursday, Feb. 9 after the Reporter’s press time. Bellevue trailed throughout until putting together an 11-3 run to close the game behind swarming defense and some timely free throw shooting from Timmy Haehl and Michael Carlson. Kaleb Warner led the Islanders with 14 in the loss. Lake Washington 65 Sammamish 60 Guy Lynott and Matt Staudacher both put in 21 points as the Kangs, who trailed all evening, erupted with a 16-3 fourth quarter to get the win and advance to the 3A KingCo tournament title game against Bellevue. George Valle scored 18 to lead the Totems and Jacob West added 14 more. Sammamish will face Mercer Island Thursday at Bellevue College in the third place game of the tournament. 3A KingCo girls tournament Juanita 50 Bellevue 52 (OT) The Wolverines survived a buzzer beater from the Rebels Kate Cryderman in the final seconds of the fourth quarter to escape with the two-point win and advance to the 3A KingCo tournament title game on Thursday at Bellevue College against Liberty. Cryderman finished with a game high 29 for state-ranked Juanita while Kate Holmes finished with 17 to help the Wolverines to the win.
One coach is fighting for his life, another dedicating it to the community BY JOSH SUMAN Bellevue Reporter
When Newport takes the court tonight in the second round of the 4A KingCo boys basketball tournament, they will do so coming off four straight losses, with their playoff lives on the line. But after a season around individuals with their actual lives on the line, the pressure should be manageable.
Part of the community
As a Newport alum himself, head coach Steve Haizlip has more than a working knowledge of the dynamics his players face in school and their home lives. For nearly all the players in his program, that means a stable upbringing in a safe community. For Haizlip, it presents an opportunity to show them a new perspective on the neighborhood they call home. “There are people out there not as fortunate,” Haizlip said. “When we think we have it hard, we don’t have it that hard.” That message sunk in loud and clear earlier in the season when Haizlip took his team to Andrew’s Glen, an affordable housing community that serves several military veterans and happens to be located directly across the street from Newport. Players and coaches shared a meal with residents and more importantly, shared in one another’s life experiences. “I think every one of us learned something about underprivileged people and what we can do to make an impact on
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their lives,” senior Billy Sahlinger said. “We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for other people, so it’s time for us to give back as well.” Haizlip said the initial trepidation wore off once the residents arrived and his players began to implement the motto he has imparted on them throughout his time at Newport: respect everyone. “You never know when the tables will turn,” junior Isaac Dotson said. “We’re extremely fortunate to be out here playing, living in a great community and going to a great school.” Dotson said he spent much of the evening talking with a resident who identified himself as “Alonzo Evening”. Hearing the man’s tales of rising through life’s hardships through spirituality left a lasting impression on Dotson, who is widely considered one of the top football prospects in the state for the class of 2013. “He pretty much laid it all out there,” Dotson said. “It was really inspiring to hear what he had to say and it made me more thankful.”
Lifetime underdog
Jeff Hansen can’t see himself coaching anywhere else. A 1993 graduate of Newport, Hansen was good friends with one of Haizlip’s brothers during his youth and has known the head coach’s family for decades. In 2004, at the age of 28, Hansen was SEE NEWPORT, 18
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n a less-than-packed gym at Bellevue College, the echoes reverberated off the walls each time an Islander player stepped to the free throw line. “REEEEEEEEEE-BOUNNNNND”, came the chant from the opposite side of the stands. Not from a raucous student section or the cheer squad, but a single Bellevue freshman, dressed in such a Josh Suman way no one would ever mistake him for anything other than a Wolverine fanatic. Nick Nyquist is the shameless young go-hard’s name and nothing; not a 3 p.m. Tuesday tipoff, a second-half deficit fueled by a litany of missed free throws, or the almost comical nature of being the only student in school colors and on his feet, was going to stop him from cheering on his peers and having a great time in the process. “I’m here because I want to support my team,” Nyquist told me in a matter-of-fact tone during the half. “I just think it’s fun.” Other Bellevue students filed in during the game dressed in school clothes and sitting in cliques, as teenagers are wont to do. Only Nyquist stood and cheered throughout, sporting his emotions on his blue and gold sleeves. He buried his head in his hands when the Wolverines faltered down the stretch, pleaded with the referees on every close call and finally exhaled when the Islanders’ final attempt from half court was late and off the mark, securing a Bellevue win. By his count, this is the fifth or sixth time this season he has Nyquist never misses a game. been the lone representative of CHAD COLEMAN, Bellevue Reporter the student body willing to go “Super Fan” at a game. But for myself, even with a lifetime watching and covering prep sports, it was a first. Some might read this and think I’m taking a shot at the Bellevue fans and students for not loading up the stands for an afternoon game during the middle of the week. Let me assure you I’m not. It’s easy for teens, insecure pack animals by nature, to cram tightly into their designated section and organize chants that are offered up with a shared voice 200-strong. But heading to a game decked-out in fan gear during freshman year and standing solo for the entire game? That takes guts. I’ve heard more than once from opposing fans and media that are surprised the Wolverines don’t pack the stands for each and every contest. If their school had a Nick Nyquist, maybe they would understand.
For the love of the game is a Reporter column written by sports reporter Josh Suman. Call Josh at 425-453-5045.
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Jeff Hansen, an assistant coach with the Newport boys basketball program and heart transplant survivor, looks on during a recent practice. Hansen is currently awaiting a kidney transplant. JOSH SUMAN, Bellevue Reporter
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