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Serving Orcas, Lopez and San Juan County
WEDNESDAY, February 11, 2015 VOL. 48, NO. 6 75¢ islandssounder.com
Stormy Hildreth wins Orcas Has Talent crown – page 3
Vikings head into playoffs by MARTY ZIER Sports contributor
Both Viking teams wrapped up the week with critical wins to move into their final regular season game this week, a nonleague contest against powerhouse Auburn Adventist. Orcas has already secured home-court advantage for their first playoff games on Saturday, Feb. 14.
Girls basketball On Feb. 3, the Lady Vikings traveled to Shoreline Christian for their second win of the season against the Chargers, 54-31. After their star player scored at will at their last meeting, Viking Coach Gregg Sasan had a defensive solution that paid off – the double team. “Shoreline only had six players so we ran at them hard,” Sasan said. “We also doubled up on their key player which left our remaining three players to guard their four and the girls did a good job. Mlelanie Flint photo
Lilly Miller during the Darrington game. Orcas won 45-32.
They really hustled.” Orcas defense suffocated the Charger offense, helping the Vikings stretch the lead 44-27, starting the fourth quarter with key Shoreline players frustrated and resigned to the bench. Orcas scoring was led by Kilee Rogers with 19, Hannah BrunnerGaydos 13, Bethany Hansen and Katy Minnis both with 6, Lilly Miller and Halle Thompson both with 4 and Jessie Nichols with 2. The Lady Vikings traveled to Darrington on Feb. 6 for a physical 45-32 win against an improving Logger team. “It was a brawl, plain and simple,” Sasan said. “Darrington came out very physical, but we came out physical too. Lilly Miller really stepped it up.” In the fourth quarter, Darrington played intent on controlling the paint and shutting down BrunnerGaydos, but it hurt them. They lost their dominate post after an excessive foul generated a technical. Orcas was able to stretch the lead thereafter. Scoring was led by Brunner-Gaydos with 14, Rogers 10, Miller 9, Thompson 8, Hansen and Joie Zier both with 2.
Lolita officially on endangered list by EMILY GREENBERG Journal Reporter
After over a year of deliberation, the National Marine Fisheries Service has decided to include Lolita in the Endangered Species Act listing of the southern resident killer whales. While welcome news for advocates of the orca whale that’s been living in captivity for more than 40 years, the new status does not impact its residence at Miami’s Seaquarium. “The Endangered Species Act doesn’t prohibit the keeping of captive animals,” said Fisheries Service Spokesman Michael Milstein. “This was not a decision on releasing Lolita. There’s no mechanism to enforce her removal.” The listing was announced Feb. 6, and will go into effect in 90 days. Though the designation does not mandate her release, it does protect Lolita from “harm and harassment,” as provided by the ESA. The initial petition to include the captive orca under the ESA was put forth by People for Ethical Treatment of Animals. PETA Attorney Jared Goodman disputes NMFS’ stand on Lolita’s release. “The decision doesn’t affect her residence
because it appears the agency will not actively enforce the Endangered Species Act once Lolita’s listing goes into effect,” Goodman said. The decision to include Lolita under the ESA listing is a victory for whale advocates in itself, because citizens now have a right to file lawsuits on the orca’s behalf. If NMFS proves unwilling to return Lolita to her native Washington waters, Goodman said a civil lawsuit could be made to prove that Lolita’s current state of captivity is a violation of the ESA. Whether PETA will file such a suit is not yet known.
In the meantime, a PETA lawsuit against the United States Department of Agriculture is on appeal. The USDA is responsible for enforcing the Animal Welfare Act, which PETA says Seaquarium is in violation of on three counts: the small size of Lolita’s tank, the lack of protection from the Miami sun and the absence of an orca companion. If established in court that Seaquarium is in violation of the Animal Welfare Act, harm done to the animal by these violations will also be recognized, and the ESA may be in violation if Lolita is continued to be kept in the same condition. Although Lolita’s new status may put more power into the hands of whale advocates, NMFS remains as the keeper of the gate. In a press release dated Feb. 4, the federal agency announced that any future plan to move or release Lolita would require a permit and would undergo “rigorous scientific review,” before being issued. “Between Seaquarium and the government this could go on for some time,” said Ken
SEE LOLITA, PAGE 6
Boys basketball The Vikings boys traveled to Seattle on Feb. 3 for a key league win against Shoreline Christian, 74-68. In what Coach Corey Wiscomb called an “electric, fastpaced run-and-gun game,” Orcas guards Pasha Bullock and Jordan Randolph led an effective defensive press and controlled the offense, both scoring 17 points. “Pasha and Jordan proved themselves to be a force to be reckoned with in the league,” Wiscomb said. “Brother Murphy played solid post and dropped 13. Miles Harlow scored 6 points. Michael Chesher added 9. Steven Bodenhamer stepped off the bench to add intensity to the press and scored 5. Freshman Vanya Bullock continued to be a consistent shooter and put in 7 points.” On Feb. 6, the Viking boys traveled to Darrington for the their final regular season game, executing a tough fought win at the Logger Homecoming game, 64-57. “Brother Murphy had 21 points and some of his best rebounding of the season,” Wiscomb said. “Jordan Randolph is the point man on defense and put in 16. Pasha finished with 11 points, 9 from a 3-point land. Miles and Michael each added 6 with tremendous defensive play. Yusuf Duni stepped up and scored 3 points.”
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