Seniors take final shot

Rick Walker may get the most of basketball while coaching his King’s West Warriors boys squad, which made state for the first time this winter. But there’s another basketball program with Walker at the helm that is also achieving success.

The West Sound All-Star Games, played last Tuesday at the Olympic College Bremer Center, in its third year of existence, pits area senior hoopsters against one another in a showdown that will likely write a final chapter in many of the players’ high school careers.

This year, 26 boys and 26 girls got one last chance to make an impact. For the girls, Amy Spieker and Emily Zygmontowicz represented Central Kitsap. Kashia Hudson, Heather Hansen and Jessica White were elected for Oly and Chelsea Marak was the lone Klahowya Eagle in the competition.

For the boys, Central Kitsap’s Neil Fryer, Glenn Perkins, Trent Bearbower and Alex Arena made the squad, while there were no Oly or Klahowya representatives.

Walker said he is extremely happy with the way the program has grown.

“Each year has been really, really good,” Walker said. “It’s a time when players get together and enjoy each other’s company. They play on the same team as someone they might not otherwise. And they have a fun time doing it.”

Walker said one of the things that makes this all-star game unique is its area focus.

“We see these players throughout the years at a particular school,” he said. “It’s the last time to see them in high school for their final game. It’s a unique opportunity for us as fans to come and watch them and celebrate their careers.”

On the girls end, the Puget Sound squad, led by Spieker’s game-high 12 points, won the low-scoring affair 37-33. Zygmontowicz chipped in for 2.

For the Cascade squad, Bremerton’s Alishia Lindsay led the way with 10. Hudson added 2 points. Hansen, White and Marak did not play in the game.

The boys Cascade team beat Puget Sound 83-70 thanks to a monster effort from North Kitsap’s Ryan Young, who scored 26 to lead all scorers. Port Angeles’ Brian Hoch added 17. Fryer scored 6 and Perkins had 5 for CK. Bearbower and Arena didn’t score.

The Puget Sound team was led by Jamil Moore’s (South Kitsap) 16.

Walker said for some of the kids, it’s a chance to get recognition they may not otherwise recieve.

“Some of the players, some of these seniors, see all the state all-star games going on,” Walker said. “Here in our local area, they do have that chance.”

He said he sees the event continuing for a long time to come.

“We just want to continue to recognize the seniors that excel on particular teams,” Walker said.

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