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BASKETBALL: West Seattle HS boys’ season ends with state-tournament loss

Congratulations to the West Seattle High School boys’ basketball team for their strong season, which ended tonight at Bellevue College.

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)

In their first game of this year’s state tournament, the Wildcats fell to North Thurston, 51-34. Half their points came in the final quarter, but they started connecting too late, including this defiant dunk by #23, sophomore Alex Pierce:

The struggle started early – WSHS didn’t get on the scoreboard until a basket by #2, senior Maximus Holliman, more than midway through the first quarter.

He had eight points on the night, as did #5, senior Ryder Mackay:

The Wildcats never did manage to consistently break through North Thurston’s defense, which meant they had to do a lot of outside shooting, without much success, though #3, junior Bo Gionet, got two 3s:

The WSHS boys finished the season 14-12.

BASKETBALL: West Seattle High School girls’ season ends with close game

Congratulations to the West Seattle High School girls’ basketball team for a strong season. It ended far from home this afternoon, with a 47-45 loss to Lynnwood in a state-tournament regional game at Arlington High School. According to writer Doug Petrowski‘s tweets from the game, WS led 16-7 after the first quarter, with Carmen Cruz netting four 3-pointers; the Everett Herald‘s Evan Wiederspohn tweeted that Cruz led WSHS scoring with 24. The Wildcats finish the season 16-10.

BASKETBALL: West Seattle HS girls win opening game in state tournament

8:21 PM: On their home court, the West Seattle High School girls’ basketball team has just won their opening game in this year’s state tournament, beating Central Kitsap, 48-37. Photos and details after we get back to HQ!

10:48 PM: Though the Wildcats led the Cougars by double digits for more than half the game. it was not a case of coasting to victory. They were behind 11-9 at the end of the first quarter, getting lots of shots but unable to convert many of them. In the second quarter, WSHS suddenly got prolific with three-pointers.

First one was by #0, senior Lauren Wright, then one by #4, junior Carmen Cruz, and then #22, junior Lucy Larson, netted three triples in the last two minutes before halftime – she was the Wildcats’ top scorer on the night, with 14 points:

Head coach Darnell Taylor‘s team went into halftime up 30-19.

First points of the second half came on a basket by Cruz, the night’s second-leading scorer with 13 points:

In the last minute of the third quarter, a triple by #11, senior Brooke Swanson (WSHS’s third top scorer tonight with 10 points), gave WSHS their widest lead, 42-22:

After that, though, Central Kitsap started a comeback attempt, with 10 unanswered points, halving West Seattle’s lead, until #21, sophomore Alyssa Neumann, broke the spell with a basket at four minutes to go. The Cougars answered with their own, but WSHS didn’t let them get any closer, and finished out the win in their home gym.

Another must-win game is next – the Westside girls (16-9) have to head 50 miles north to Arlington for a noon Saturday game against Lynnwood (16-6).

YOU’RE INVITED! Big Band Dinner Dance for, and with, student musicians

That’s the West Seattle Big Band in an outdoor performance last summer. But you don’t have to wait until warmer weather to enjoy their music – they’re guest stars at a benefit for the West Seattle High School music program in just a week and a half, with excellent student musicians featured too! Here’s the announcement sent to us:

West Seattle High School Big Band Dinner Dance
Friday, March 3, 2023 from 6-9 pm
West Seattle High School Commons

The community is invited to our Annual Dinner Dance and Benefit, in support of our High School Music Program. Tickets are available at this link, either with dinner provided by the West Seattle High School Culinary Department or Dance only.

Performance by our Special Guest – the West Seattle Big Band, under the direction of Jim Edwards. Earlier performances by all our music groups – Jazz I & II, Band, Choir, Orchestra and Percussion – under the direction of our music teachers, Ethan Thomas and Taylor Fritts.

Thank you to our wonderful sponsor, West Side Music Academy! Auction items will be available to bid on, and all donations will be gratefully accepted.

Visit our webpage to purchase tickets and find more information, as we update it regularly. Please email westseattle.musicboosters@gmail.com with any questions.

Preschooler in the family? Look ahead to kindergarten with online event Wednesday

February 20, 2023 9:40 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

If you have a preschool-age child, this is for you. The announcement was sent by the Greater Seattle YMCA (parent organization of longtime WSB sponsor West Seattle YMCA):

Ready for Kindergarten? By KCLS & YMCA of Greater Seattle

Wednesday, February 22; 2:00 pm-3:00 pm

Join us online to learn about:

-Reading at Home
-Kindergarten Expectations
-Literacy Resources

Register: tinyurl.com/KinderFeb22

This is a FREE session for the community and is aimed for families with 3-5 year-olds.

Learn about South Seattle College during ‘Discover’ events

February 20, 2023 10:03 am
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Thinking about college? You can attend right here in West Seattle. Learn about South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) and its sibling colleges during this series of upcoming events:

The Seattle Colleges District, including South Seattle College, is holding annual Discover Seattle Colleges events late February into early March. Join us virtually or in-person to learn about our programs and services. There will be two in-person open houses at South Seattle College’s main campus in West Seattle (March 7) and our Georgetown campus (March 6). Registration is now open for Spring Quarter, starting April 3, with in-person, online and hybrid courses available.

Online Events – Monday, Feb. 27 – Thursday, March 2, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
In-person Open House – Monday, March 6 – Thursday, March 9, 3-6 p.m.

Visit seattlecolleges.edu/discover for dates, topics, locations and sign-up links.

Part I: Online Events ∙ Feb. 27-March 2

The first series is four online events exploring academic programs and career pathways at Seattle Colleges. Each one-hour online event offers prospective students (and their families) a chance to hear from instructors and learn more about the programs that interest them. The events are organized by area of study and include presentations from faculty in academic programs or career pathways in the following areas:

Health and Medical / Education and Human Services: Monday, Feb. 27, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Business and Accounting / Science, Engineering and Technology: Tuesday, Feb. 28, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Culinary, Hospitality and Wine / Skilled Trades and Technical Training: Wednesday, March 1, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Arts, Design and Graphics / Social Sciences, Humanities and Languages: Thursday, March 2, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Part II: Campus Open Houses ∙ March 6-9
The second event series is campus open houses. Prospective students and community members are invited to learn about our programs, take campus tours, and enjoy refreshments, demonstrations and college giveaways. Talk to faculty and staff about your goals and learn more about admissions and student resources.

Georgetown Apprenticeship & Education Center, South Seattle College: Monday, March 6, 3-6 p.m.
South Seattle College Main Campus (in West Seattle): Tuesday, March 7, 3-6 p.m.

Seattle Central College and North Seattle College also have open houses this week

Interested participants are invited to attend all events. Learn more and sign up on our website at seattlecolleges.edu/discover.

BASKETBALL: First state-tournament games set for West Seattle High School teams

As noted here Saturday night, both West Seattle High School teams have made it into the state tournament. Tonight, we know when and where they’ll play their first games. As announced by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, here’s the schedule:

GIRLS: Tuesday (February 21st) 7 pm, at WSHS vs. Central Kitsap

BOYS: Saturday (February 25th) 8 pm, at Bellevue College vs. winner of Tuesday’s EverettNorth Thurston game

Both are open to the public, with admission charges.

BASKETBALL: Final district-tournament games for West Seattle High School teams

Though their victories last night earned them berths in state-tournament competition no matter what, West Seattle High School‘s girls’ and boys’ basketball teams each had to play one last district game this afternoon at Bellevue College. Both scores are now in: The girls won, beating Eastside Catholic, 60-57, taking fifth place in the district; the boys lost to Rainier Beach, 71-58, finishing sixth. Seedings for the state tournament are due to be announced tomorrow afternoon, so that’s when we should know where and when both teams will play their first games in state competition, which begins Tuesday.

BASKETBALL: West Seattle HS girls going to state too, after win at districts

9:29 PM: West Seattle High School is also sending its girls’ team to the state tournament. The Wildcats just beat Holy Names 47-35 to clinch the spot. This game also was played at Bellevue College; details and photos when we get back to HQ.

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)

ADDED 3:20 AM: This was a little rough in the early going, with Holy Names’ defense succeeding for a while in keeping West Seattle from getting inside, forcing tough-to-land outside shots. But the Wildcats kept battling back.

That aggressive style, though, got them into foul trouble fairly quickly, giving Holy Names so many foul shots that those compromised much of the Cougars’ scoring. Nonetheless, WSHS stayed in command, with a 22-10 lead at halftime. Scoring leaders were #4, junior Carmen Cruz and #20, sophomore Colby Timmons.

Head coach Darnell Taylor‘s Wildcats play their final district game at 4:45 pm today (Saturday) at Bellevue College (3000 Landerholm Circle SE) vs. Eastside Catholic – winner takes 5th place, but both teans are guaranteed trips to the state tournament, which runs February 21-March 4.n

BASKETBALL: West Seattle HS boys win spot at state with victory at districts

7:58 PM: The West Seattle High School boys’ basketball team is headed to the state tournament after a big win in districts tonight – 72-49 over Liberty HS at Bellevue College. Details and photos later.

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)

ADDED 1:40 AM: The Wildcats took the lead two and a half minutes into the game and never looked back. They just kept building, and Liberty had no chance to even attempt a comeback. By halftime, WSHS was up 38 to 29, then extended the lead into double digits in the second half.

West Seattle had four players with double-digit point totals – #2, senior Maximus Holliman; #3, junior Bo Gionet; #5, senior Ryder Mackay; and #11, senior Luke Wade.

For outside-shooting fans, this game had plenty of threes, and sharpshooting combined with tough defense led WSHS to the big win. Tomorrow, head coach Dan Kriley and the Wildcats have one more game at the district tournament, 3 pm today (Saturday) vs. Rainier Beach, again at Bellevue College (3000 Landerholm Circle SE).

The game is for fifth place in the district, but both teams already are guaranteed a spot at the state tournament, which starts next Tuesday (February 21st) – opening-round matchups and locations are yet to be determined.

FOLLOWUP: Case counts for COVID at West Seattle High School

As reported here last week, masks were recommended through this week at West Seattle High School because of “multiple” COVID cases. The original announcement to families didn’t say how many, however. But if you check the district dashboard, the stat is stark – between February 7th and 14th, for example, 82 cases were reported at WSHS – the only school in the entire district to even have a double-digit total; next-highest total in the district was 7 cases at three schools outside West Seattle, while the next-highest total in the greater West Seattle area was Madison Middle School with 5 cases. The WSHS masking recommendation runs through Friday, which is the last school day before the district’s weeklong mid-winter break.

SPORTS: West Seattle HS diver to state championships for 2nd year in a row

When the state 3A high-school diving championships are held tomorrow night in Federal Way, a local student will be there – for the second time! Here’s the announcement we received:

West Seattle High School junior Giovanni Slye will be competing at the state diving championship tomorrow (Thursday) at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way. His performance at the Districts meet last weekend guaranteed him a spot at the statewide competition. Diving Coach Stephanie Hunt is proud to take him all the way to state two years in a row.

Event info is here. You can see on page 5 here who he’s competing against.

BASKETBALL: West Seattle High School teams get one more chance at district playoffs

February 14, 2023 10:03 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Tough night for both West Seattle High School basketball teams at the King County District 2 3A playoffs. Both played at Bellevue College, and both lost. This afternoon, the girls fell to Bishop Blanchet, 55-48, and tonight, the boys lost to Eastside Catholic, 54-48. Both get one more chance to advance in the playoffs, with loser-out games Friday night (February 17th) at Bellevue College – the boys vs. Liberty at 6:30 pm, the girls vs. Holy Names at 8 pm.

SPORTS: Search for softball coaches

February 12, 2023 4:22 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Spring sports are approaching and West Seattle High School is looking for softball coaches. Athletic Director Corey Sorenson asked us to publish the announcement:

West Seattle High School is looking for qualified applicants interested in being a Head Coach or Assistant Coach for Girls Fastpitch Softball this year. Applicants are encouraged to apply in the link provided and contact Mr. Sorenson at cjsorenson@seattleschools.org. (Application Link – Head Coach or Assistant Coach)

BASKETBALL: West Seattle High School boys win district-tournament opener

February 11, 2023 10:03 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

The second round of the high-school basketball postseason has begun!

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)

Tonight at West Seattle High School, the Wildcats won their first game in the district tournament. Strong defense as well as offense took WSHS to a 60-41 victory over visiting Mercer Island.

Top Wildcat scorer on the night was #5, senior Ryder Mackay (above), with 20 points. Not far behind at 18 points was #24, senior Chase Clifton.

#3, junior Bo Gionet, was next with eight points. Head coach Dan Kriley‘s Wildcats (13-9) move on to play Eastside Catholic Tuesday night (February 14th), 8 pm at Bellevue College (3000 Landerholm Circle SE).

Ticket info for Tuesday’s game is here.

Love, sweet love: Donuts for your Valentine!

February 10, 2023 8:39 pm
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 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

If somebody you love is a Krispy Kreme fan – or maybe you yourself can’t resist the glazed treats – here’s a Valentine’s Day deal. The Madison Middle School PTSA is selling Krispy Kreme donuts again, for pickup outside the school on Valentine’s Day afternoon. You need to get your order in by 8 pm Saturday night (February 11th). Here’s the link for ordering – $15/dozen. If you just can’t commit in advance, they do expect to have some donuts available for walk-ups (cash or PayPal). Donut pickup will be 3:30-4:30 pm Tuesday (February 14th) outside Madison, 3429 45th SW.

Student-created Climate Clock tells a different kind of time in Madison Middle School library

(WSB photos. From left, Madison librarian Stacia Bell, Climate Clock creators Aidan Busby and Lola Thaler, teacher Robin Russell)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Talk about follow-through.

While in 8th grade at Madison Middle School last year, two students collaborated on a project so ambitious, they continued work on it even after the school year ended and they moved on to high school.

Now the result has a prominent place in the Madison library, where it presents a simple but powerful message to everyone who visits.

That’s the Climate Clock designed and built by Lola Thaler and Aidan Busby. They returned to Madison to install it a few weeks back, and now it presents a continuous two-part message. “It’s not a doomsday clock,” they are quick to tell you. You could in fact describe it as an anti-doomsday clock – the countdown shows the time remaining for emissions-elimination action to limit the planet to 1.5 degrees (C) of warming. So you can look at it as “cup half full” – there’s still time. The second number, chosen from other possibilities, shows the percentage of global energy use that’s renewable – another cause for hope, as that number rises (though slowly so far).

Not only did Lola and Aidan plan, design, and build the climate clock – he did the programming – they got funding for it; Lola applied for – and received – a $200 grant from the Madison PTSA.

This was a “Social Change” project originated while they were in teacher Robin Russell‘s class. Lola happened onto the concept of a climate clock while doing research. They could have ordered one. But the teacher suggested, “Maybe you could make your own.”

Aidan says he heard about the project and jumped in – “I thought it would be interesting to build.” He was the tech expert for the project, both hardware and coding.

Then they talked with Madison librarian Stacia Bell about setting it up in the library. She says this is the first time she can recall a student project seeking and obtaining PTSA funding. She’s proud to host it: “It’s become a topic of conversation.”

For teacher Ms. Russell, she remains impressed at how much time Lola and Aidan put into it – and how they saw it through. Finding the time was a challenge, the students admit – Aidan’s family was out of town for the summer, and Lola recalls it required “short bursts of work.” Aidan put dozens of hours into the coding, “including debugging.”

As for the clock’s message, it’s serious business to both. “I think we need to make serious changes,” Aidan observes, especially “better energy choices … solar, nuclear.” Lola sees the big picture – personal changes can only go so far, and beyond them, “it’s frustrating that it’s just a few big corporations doing most of the damage.”

Last year she also gave a Climate Clock presentation in the citywide Environmental Slam, held online in May.

The ultimate message is to challenge the status quo. “If we are to go on with business as usual, the goal won’t be met in time,” says Lola. So raising awareness is imperative. “The most important thing is educating others,” Ms. Bell agrees.

And that’s the lesson of students’ Social Change projects, Ms. Russell says: “That each person CAN make a difference.”

If you want inspiration to make a difference yourself, more information is available at climateclock.world (which also features additional metrics of ongoing world action).

BASKETBALL: West Seattle HS teams both play Seattle Prep as postseason continues

February 9, 2023 11:56 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Both West Seattle High School basketball teams played postseason games against Seattle Prep tonight – on opposite sides of the city. The girls played Prep at Ballard, and won 66-40, for a third-place finish in the Metro League tournament. They move on to the district championships with a 3:30 pm game next Tuesday at Bellevue College, vs. either Bishop Blanchet or Juanita.

(Added: WSB photo – #2, Max Holliman, 14 points)

The boys played closer to home tonight, facing Prep in the Chief Sealth IHS gym. This was a close game – the Wildcats lost 68-66, finishing sixth in the Metro tournament. They too move on to the district championships, with a must-win 7 pm game Saturday in their home gym vs. Mercer Island.

CORONAVIRUS: West Seattle High School cases lead to masking recommendation

Thanks for the forward. West Seattle High School principal Brian Vance has sent families this note:

There have been multiple positive COVID-19 cases identified in the past week here at WSHS. In response, the district is implementing a COVID testing event and recommended masking protocol at WSHS.

Out of an abundance of caution, we are recommending that all students at West Seattle High School wear a well-fitting and high-quality mask for the next 10 calendar days starting Friday, 2/10/23 to help prevent further transmission of COVID-19. This will include Friday and next week. Masking is recommended but voluntary.

Our goal is to keep as many students learning in-person as possible while maintaining a safe environment. To help do that, we ask that you please monitor your child for COVID symptoms and keep them home if they are sick.

Covid Testing Event at WSHS – 2/10/23
In addition to the recommended masking, the district is initiating an in-school COVID-19 testing event on campus on Friday, 2/10/23. SPS staff will only test students who have consent for the current school year. If you would like to have your student tested, please consent to testing on the CIC Health website. Families will receive test results via text message or email.

Seattle Public Schools continues to update its COVID dashboard – you can see it here.

RETURNING: West Seattle 5K

(WSB photo, 2019)

Many big West Seattle events returned last year for the first time since before the pandemic – but not all. One that skipped last year WILL be back this year – the West Seattle 5K. This event raising money for WSHS students via the PTSA is set for Sunday, May 21st, the first WS5K since 2019. It’s a run/walk along Alki, with the start/finish line right in the hart of the beach business district. Organizers tell us they’ll be relaunching the West Seattle 5K website next week, so watch for registration details soon.

BASKETBALL: West Seattle High School girls’ second postseason game

7:54 PM: Score’s in from the second postseason game of the year for the West Seattle High School girls’ basketball team. Playing at Garfield, the Wildcats lost to the top-seeded Bulldogs, 51-37. But they have another Metro League tournament game ahead – tomorrow night at 7 pm at Ballard High School, West Seattle will play the loser of a game under way right now between Seattle Prep and Lakeside.

11:17 PM: Their opponent tomorrow will be Seattle Prep.

ARE YOU READY? Seattle Emergency Communication Hubs team with local school for preparedness prototype

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The earthquake that has killed thousands in Turkey and Syria is a massive disaster that reminds us all on a personal level that preparedness is vital. It can be life-saving both during and after a quake. Local preparedness advocates have long been working to find new ways to get more people to get ready.

Toward that goal, a recent family-education meeting at Gatewood Elementary School doubled as a sort of prototype for volunteer preparedness educators to use for future gatherings in other school/neighborhood settings.

Volunteers from the Seattle Emergency Communication Hubs set up tables to share “Urban Survival Skills” – how to prepare your family, your school, your home, your community, as well as “tech hacks” you can use.

If you aren’t familiar with the Emergency Communication Hubs, here’s an explanation. In short, they are spots where volunteer Hub Captains will set up communication-coordination spots if a disaster takes out normal channels of communication. One easy way to start your preparedness journey is to know your nearest hub location (here’s the West Seattle map) – and if there’s not one nearby, get involved and start one! At the recent Gatewood Elementary meeting, participants milled around the tables, learning about the Hubs and about specific points of preparation.

Ann Forrest from Seattle Emergency Communication Hubs helped coordinate the meeting.

She said that in a larger venue, they could have as many as 17 educational stations. As another volunteer, Deb Barker, showed us, some of the tips are simple, like making sure you always have shoes by your bed in case you’re sleeping when disaster strikes and you have to escape through broken glass and other debris. Also – ensure there’s no furniture (like unsecured bookshelves) that might fall on you. This simple list circulated at the meeting offered suggestions:

Partnership with institutional leaders, when applicable, is important in making a plan. Gatewood principal Kyna Hogg explained to the families at the meeting that they do several kinds of drills regularly, including an evacuation drill.

The families also heard from Forrest about Hub operations – including what they’re not meant for, as well as what they are. Example: Hubs won’t be places to get food/water, but they will be places to connect you with information about finding it if you need it. And a point of pride: West Seattle has more hubs than any other part of the city, as the movement got its start here.

So what’s next? A longtime West Seattle leader in the hub organization, Cindi Barker, stresses that this was a pilot, and intended to see whether people found it useful and interesting. So far, she told us, feedback indicated that it was, so they’re working toward another school meeting, possibly for West Seattle Elementary. From there, the concept could spread, If you have questions, here’s how to contact Seattle Emergency Hubs.

SCHOOLS: Two more West Seattle preview events this week

February 7, 2023 11:52 am
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

If you’re still mulling school choices for next year, two more preview/open-house events to know about for this week:

WEST SEATTLE ELEMENTARY: 7 pm tonight (Tuesday) at Neighborhood House High Point (6400 Sylvan Way SW), prospective West Seattle ES families are invited to learn about the new building opening this fall, academics, after-school activities, and after-school child-care options, Questions in advance? Email friendsofwse@gmail.com.

CHIEF SEALTH INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL: Future/prospective Seahawks are invited to an open house Thursday night (February 9th), 6-8 pm. Tour the school (2600 SW Thistle) and meet Chief Sealth IHS staff and students. Questions in advance? Ask assistant principal Hope Perry, ihperry@seattleschools.org.