Category: Sports

Tulalip triumphs over Angel of the Winds

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

In a spirited clash of local rival casinos turned community partners, staff members from Tulalip Resort Casino and Angel of the Winds Casino competed for a charitable cause – with all proceeds going to the Arlington Community Resource Center. It was a picturesque June evening when the two casino teams journeyed south to the iconic Husky Softball Stadium located on the University of Washington campus. 

Leading up to this year’s game was constant chatter from team T.G.O. about how Angel of the Winds Casino won big in last year’s inaugural contest. Intent on avoiding another whooping at the hands of their rival, the local team practiced at the Youth Center’s ball field once a week for a month to establish everyone’s role and build team chemistry. They also recruited several new players who could potentially provide more power behind the plate. One such player was 48-year-old Tulalip tribal member Mike Contraro, who is known as something of a softball legend in his heyday.

“Honestly, this has been such a cool experience and really a great idea to get casino employees together outside of work,” shared Mike while getting his practice swings in pre-game. He’s spent decades at the Resort, most notably as Facilities/Engineering Director. “This is my first time at Husky Softball Stadium. My family traveled here, too, so they’re sitting in the bleachers and making the most of this experience, too. They’re more motivation for me to, hopefully, hit one out of the park.

“The recruiting pitch to me was pretty simple. They lost last year and I hate losing,” he added. “The goal is definitely to win this one and even up the rivalry at one game apiece.”

Following both teams pre-game stretching and on-field warmups, the stage was set for Tulalip’s chance at redemption in the home of the 2009 NCAA champion Huskies.

In the 1st inning, Tulalip took a 3-0 lead. To which Angels quickly responded by hitting a 2-run homerun and a solo shot in the bottom of the 1st to tie the game 3-3. The power display continued a couple innings later when Tulalip Resort valet Elliot Kaking belted a 3-run blast over the left field wall. Tulalip’s 6-3 lead was short-lived once again as Angels hit two 2-run homers in the bottom of the 3rd inning to take their first lead of the game.

Between the 3rd and 4th innings, we found T.G.O. player Kenneth Reedy thoroughly enjoying his view from the NCAA certified, Husky dugout. The 35-year-old Kenneth is enrolled in the Klamath Tribes of Oregon, but was raised on the Tulalip Reservation. In fact, he attended Quil Ceda Elementary and Heritage High School before joining the Tulalip Resort workforce. His workplace home for the past 17 years.

“Playing softball is a lot of fun. I usually play year-a-round and couldn’t pass up the opportunity to play on a casino team,” said Kenneth from his dugout perch. “We’ve come a long way from where we started as a team. It’s hard to get people with different skill levels and athletic ability to come together to complete a task like this, but we did it and had a lot of fun in the process.

“I’m just in awe that we are at UW, playing on their softball field and getting to be in their actual dugouts,” he continued. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.” 

Back to the game. Angels led going into the 5th inning and their team was beginning to chirp with confidence that they’d win again. That chirping quickly ended after Tulalip hit another 3-run homerun, this time by information systems technician Rylee Chase-McGill. Injecting more life to the team was security officer Kekoa Castillo who followed that up with a solo homerun of his own.

Tulalip’s roaring comeback via the long ball ignited the team’s dugout and drew cheers from family and friends in the crowd.

Angel of the Winds briefly reclaimed the lead in the sixth, but Tulalip responded one final time in the top of the seventh. Melissa Hendren, T.G.O. hiring specialist, launched a towering two-run shot that ultimately secured a thrilling 14-12 win.

Players from both sides gathered at home plate after the game for handshakes and hugs, proving that while the rivalry is real, the shared purpose of sport, comradery and benefitting a local charity is even stronger.

“We’re always looking for strategic ways to award our team members and to bring some fun into the work environment,” explained Wendy Fryberg, Tulalip Resort Executive Vice President of Administration, after her team’s winning effort. “We provided buses to transport our team members to the stadium, and so they could invite their families to attend and travel with them, too. I think my favorite part was giving our team members an opportunity to showcase their skills in this professional-type atmosphere. I overheard a number of kids rooting for their parents when they were at bat or got a hit. This was definitely a successful, family-friendly affair.”

Wendy’s point was made crystal clear by anyone who saw or was within earshot of Mike Contraro’s cheering section. His wife A.J. and their kids cheered loudly and proudly for him during each at bat and every fielding effort. His pre-game manifestation efforts to hit a homerun nearly came to be when he belted a ball to the left field wall. It looked to be gone off the bat, but came up just a few feet short and was caught on the warning track.

“I like “OHHHHH” and all excited thinking he hit a homerun,” admitted Mike’s 12-year-old daughter Charlie. “But it was just short. I’m still so happy he played because it’s been so long since he last played. It was important for me, my siblings, and our mom to be here and cheer him on. My dad has been to so many of my basketball games and is always rooting for me. It felt good to be able to root for him.”

Mike may not have gotten that home run in UW Softball Stadium, but he did get an unforgettable W. He also shared a special moment with his kids after they ran on to the field to celebrate Tulalip’s victory.

Both casinos confirmed plans to keep the charity game tradition going, hoping to draw even bigger crowds next summer.

Aiden in the Outfield

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

Lakewood High School senior Aiden Jones made sure to leave a lasting impression in his final season wearing Cougar maroon and gold. The powerful right fielder put together a standout year at the plate and in the field, earning second team All-Northwest Conference honors and drawing interest from college programs eager to add his bat to their roster.

“Aiden brings so much to our team. He’s a strong presence in the lineup, in the field, and in the dugout,” said Lakewood head coach Jackson Conn. “His strength is quite literal, he’s a strong kid with a massive arm, but he’s also mentally strong. His leadership, discipline and patience set him apart as a senior and team captain. He’s worked with our team’s underclassmen all year long and been invaluable to us coaches in teaching those on and off the field skills.”

Aiden, known around the league for his smooth right-handed swing and clutch hitting, wrapped up his senior campaign with an impressive .371 batting average and .429 on-base percentage. According to Max Preps, he amassed 23 hits, 22 RBI’s and scored 11 runs to round out one of the most complete offensive seasons in recent Lakewood history.

“I was fortunate to coach Aiden all four years he played at Lakewood. I witnessed his growth and progression from his freshman year to his senior year,” said Coach Conn. “He had so many great games for us, but the moment that stands out most for me as his coach was when he hit his first homerun here at home. He worked so hard in the offseason and really put the time in weight room to pack on lean muscle and take his power to the next level. Then to see all that hard work pay off when he hit that homerun off one of the best pitcher’s in our conference. It looked like he was floating around the bases. He was so excited and the rest of the team was so excited for him.”

From opening day to the team’s final out, Aiden approached every opportunity with composed confidence while serving as the Cougars’ most dangerous hitter. Batting in the cleanup spot, he consistently delivered in key moments, including clutch at bats in rivalry wins over both Sedro-Woolley and Squalicum. Perhaps his most memorable moment, or just his grandparents’ favorite one, was blasting a homerun off his Louisville Slugger Atlas in the final game of the season vs. Lynden. 

“Baseball gives you a lot of life lessons,” explained the hard-hitting, 18-year-old Tulalip tribal member. “In this game, you fail a lot more than you succeed. For example, there are Hall of Fame players who averaged 3 for 10 at the plate. This translates to the real world because everyone is waiting for opportunities to succeed, but when those opportunities come, are you prepared to capitalize? And when you strikeout, because we all do, how do you respond to the next opportunity?”

His ability to capitalize on his opportunities by tracking pitches and delivering extra-base hits made him a fixture in the heart of Lakewood’s lineup and a constant threat to opposing pitchers. While his offensive numbers often started conversations, Aiden was just as dependable defensively as an everyday right fielder. He showcased strong range, reliable hands, and a sharp throwing arm, recording multiple assists—including several run-saving throws enroute to a whopping .900 fielding percentage.

“I play with great confidence, regardless of who is pitching or who is at bat,” asserted the six-foot, two-hundred-pound Aiden who is all muscle and pure testosterone. “At the end of the day, this is just a game, but it’s a game I’ve prepared myself to play at the highest level. I lift six days a week in the offseason, hit the batting cages 3 days a week, and spend a couple hours as often as I can studying the greats. I watch film of the best players to study their mechanics and learn from their professional habits.”

Aiden’s complete skill set and strong academic record has started to open doors at the next level. College coaches from across the Northwest and California reached out to him during his stellar senior year. With his high school days now behind him and an entire summer of recruitment opportunities in front of him, Aiden is steadfast on waiting for the perfect pitch before committing his bat to any collegiate program.

Once he commits to a college, he’ll be fulfilling a dream that was manifested nearly two decades ago when a new born Aiden attended his first baseball. His grandparents, Pam and Butch Blount, recall a month’s old Aiden taking in the sights and sounds of the game while cheering on their son Cody, Aiden’s uncle, playing select ball.

“Raising our grandson has been amazing,” said grandmother Pam while rocking a pair of custom-made earrings that have Aiden’s name and jersey number on them. “We’ve shuttled him back and forth from so many practices, games, tournaments and training facilities that it’s impossible to remember a time when he didn’t have baseball in his life. He’s put his whole heart and soul into this game and into becoming the best player he can be. 

“Of course, we want him to play college ball somewhere somewhat local so we can continue to watch him play,” she added. “Wherever he decides to go, we know he’ll continue to push himself to be great and to take this game as far as he can take it.”

With his graduation just days in the rearview mirror, Aiden’s high school career comes to a close. He leaves behind a legacy of hard work, big swings, and bigger moments. For Lakewood Cougar’s baseball, #23’s impact won’t soon be forgotten. And for college scouts, the best may be yet to come.

Royals stun Jetts with last-second touchdown in thrilling playoff battle

By Wade Sheldon, Tulalip News 

A warm and golden summer evening set the perfect stage for semi-pro playoff football at Quil Ceda Stadium on Saturday, June 14, as the Everett Royals clashed with the Federal Way-based King County Jetts. Over 60 fans filled the bleachers under the Marysville-Pilchuck sunset, cheering for a game packed with grit, heart, and late-game heroics.

The game opened with nerves on both sides. The Royals fumbled on their first possession, handing the Jetts early momentum. What followed was a defensive slugfest, featuring a staggering six total turnovers in the first half alone. The Jetts finally broke through to take a 6-0 lead—one they carried into halftime as both offenses struggled to find rhythm.

Tulalip Tribal member #16, Timothy Hill Thomas, made an early impact, recovering a fumble and recording a pair of first-quarter tackles to help keep the Royals within reach. Fellow tribal member #56, David Enick, contributed with a couple of assisted tackles leading to stops on downs.

After a slow offensive start, the Royals began to show life in the second half. A deep 45-yard touchdown strike tied the game at 6-6 midway through the third quarter. Despite multiple quarterback changes, Everett’s offense started clicking, capitalizing on a key turnover with short, smart passes to grab a 12-6 lead early in the fourth quarter.

The Jetts weren’t done yet. With just 25 seconds remaining, they pulled off a miraculous 30-yard touchdown catch to knot the score at 12 apiece, setting up what seemed like an inevitable overtime showdown.

But the Royals’ return man #23 had other plans.

Fielding the ensuing kickoff, he sprinted 75 yards to the house, bursting through multiple tackles. The Royals’ bench erupted, waving goodbye to the stunned Jetts as their season faded with just 15 seconds left. Everett’s defense sealed the deal on the final possession, securing the 18-12 victory in dramatic fashion.

After the game, Royals head coach Boyd Demus reflected on the hard-fought win. “We could have played way better,” he admitted. “It was a hard fight, but we came out with the win. The defense gets an A, the offense pulled it together in the second half, so I’d give them a B. Overall, I’d say it was a B+ effort from my guys. All the hard work paid off.”

Looking ahead to next week’s playoff showdown, Demus acknowledged the challenge ahead. “We face the undefeated Grit City Knights again. Last time we held them until the fourth and just ran out of gas. This time, we’re healthy and ready. We’re looking forward to this match.”

Linebacker Timothy Hill Thomas shared his excitement about advancing. “It feels good to be playing again,” he said. “It’s been a long time. I held it down and we got the dub. We’re ready for what’s next.”

Defensive tackle David Enick added, “I had lots of fun out there. It was awesome. I can’t wait for next week—we face the undefeated team and I think we’ve got them this time.”

The Royals now prepare for their rematch against the formidable Grit City Knights at Franklin Pierce Stadium on Saturday, June 21, at 5:30 p.m. With confidence surging and momentum on their side, Everett will look to dethrone the unbeaten powerhouse and punch their ticket to the championship.

Waves, wind, and community at annual Canoe Races

By Wade Sheldon, Tulalip News

The shores of Tulalip Bay were alive with action May 17–18 as families, clubs, and communities from across Washington and Canada gathered for the 2025 Tulalip canoe races—part of the seasonal War Canoe Series. This year’s event marked the third race in the circuit, which continues every weekend through the end of August at various Indigenous reservations. From single and double paddler events to the 6- and 11-man races, the competition was as diverse as it was spirited. A special biathlon-style race even had participants sprint around the ball field before paddling a solo canoe through the course.

Saturday opened with wet and blustery conditions that challenged paddlers physically and mentally. By Sunday, however, the skies cleared, offering sunshine and calmer waters that made for smoother racing and a more festive shoreline.

Among those competing was Makaio Mamac from Lummi, who participated in the men’s 6- and 11-man events. “Just getting out,” he said with a laugh when asked about the most challenging part of racing. For Mamac, the sport is less about medals and more about community: “I mostly just do it to be with my people.” He credited running as his main form of training and admitted Saturday’s rainy weather made it tough to get motivated, but still, he went out and raced. “You get to meet many people and go places,” he said. “It’s a lot of fun.”

Another pair of competitors, brothers Remus Wyse-Morris and Jacob Seward from Vancouver Island, have been paddling since childhood. “Like generations,” they answered together when asked how long their family has been involved. For 17-year-old Seward, racing is more than a sport: “To me, it means life. It’s about training, learning, and getting better while absorbing teachings from the water.” He described his pre-race routine as one of quiet focus and strategy, gauging wind and currents, and thinking through the course. While Saturday’s waves were rough, the brothers especially enjoyed the unique biathlon-style race. “It was pretty fun!” said Seward, who described riding the waves as a highlight.

Wyse-Morris echoed that sentiment, saying his favorite part was “probably just the biathlon.” When asked what advice he’d give a young person just starting, he responded, “It’s not all about winning; it’s about having a good time with the people you love.”

For teen paddler Kiarra Williams from Swinomish, staying upright in the stormy weather was a memorable experience. “OMG, I got drenched in water on Saturday!” she exclaimed. Despite the splashy start, Williams has been racing for over two years and takes pride in her focus while on the water, especially during tricky turns, which she says are the most challenging part.

Lummi paddler Kylie Bob shared similar feelings about the weekend. “Canoe racing means hanging out with friends and family, meeting new people, and enjoying everyone’s company,” she said. For her, the highlight was making new connections along the beach and between races.

Veteran racer Dr. Lexi Tom, also from Lummi, brought over 30 years of paddling experience to the event. Originally from Miami, Tom said starting the race season at Tulalip was special. “When I arrived Saturday, it was stormy,” she recalled, “but the weather improved significantly by the afternoon.” Her crew came prepared with extra bailers and were relieved the course hadn’t been extended—rough waters can add a layer of difficulty, especially at the season’s start.

Tom co-founded the Marisa Mae Canoe Club with her sisters, repairing an 11-person canoe and welcoming younger paddlers into their group. For her, these races are about more than sport—connection, continuity, and culture. “It keeps the kids engaged with the water,” she emphasized. “It keeps our traditions alive.”

She also noted how meaningful it was to see people from many different nations and families reconnecting on the shoreline after a long winter apart. Many spent the weekend laughing, catching up, and sharing meals, whether racing or watching.

Athletes honored after historical winter sports campaign

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

This past winter sports season, spanning from December to March, dozens of Tulalip youth showcased their athletic prowess on the highest stages of amateur competition. Marysville Pilchuck wrestling and Tulalip Heritage basketball both garnered state-wide recognition enroute to making school history, while other Tulalip high schoolers and middle schoolers showed out in their respective sports and postseason tournaments.

  To honor all those athletes who contributed to making the winter campaign unforgettable, the Youth Enrichment division hosted a stirring event at the Youth Center on March 28.

“We had a bunch of local athletes make it to the State level in their sport and thought we would come together to make that good medicine by hosting an honoring and coastal jam,” explained outreach advocate Odessa Flores. “It’s important we, as a community, take the time to hold space for these athletes and their accomplishments.”

Churning out accomplished athletes is something the Reservation has no difficulty doing. It seems like every family has that legendary uncle or auntie who embellishes only slightly when recounting their on-court or on-field domination. You know the ones. They aren’t bashful and will take as much credit as they can for teaching the current crop of players everything they know.

How much impact those old heads have actually had on the amazing athletes of 2025 is somewhere between incalculable and immeasurable. Past generations crawled and walked so the current generation could run. No longer forced to play just on the Reservation, proud Tulalip culture bearers now are fixtures on school teams all around Snohomish County.

Whether attending home school, public school or private school, our Tulalip athletes are excelling in the classroom and keeping themselves eligible to play sports in the fall, winter and spring seasons. More opportunity equals increased exposure and more playing time for youth who dream of playing on the college level.

During the Youth Enrichment event, each attending athlete was wrapped in a blanket before taking to center court. Then the mic came out. One by one, the athletes stated their name, age, and sports played. As they bashfully introduced themselves in front of the large audience, the sentiment was not lost that among them could be the next RaeQuan Battle (men’s college hooper turned pro), Mikail Montez (women’s college hooper), Zues Echevarria (college footballer) or Milo Jones (college wrestler).

Often times, what separates the dreamers from the believers is simple support. Thankfully, the Youth Enrichment division is full of devoted staff members who are committed to supporting Tulalip’s youth and helping turn dreams into reality.

“It makes my heart so full to witness the results of all the hard work our kids put in to better themselves and better their families,” said Odessa. “We created a gratitude tree just for this event so each athlete could add their own leaf that states what they are grateful for. It really represents the deep-rooted impact each of us has on the larger community.” 

Heritage Hawks show out at State. Make history with 4th place finish

By Micheal Rios, photos courtesy Willy Enick and Deyamonta Diaz

Four games in four days. Under the bright lights of Spokane Arena. For a chance at bucket-getting glory. That was the mission for the (19-4) Tulalip Heritage Hawks boys basketball team who journeyed to Spokane, Washington for the much-heralded WIAA State Tournament.

After an exhilarating (15-1) regular season, 2nd place finish at District’s, and a 3rd place finish at Tri-District’s, the Hawks winning ways earned them a ticket to State. They were slotted as the tournament’s #6 seed.

Wednesday, March 5

In Spokane, Tulalip’s first opponent was #14 Summit Classical Christian. They boys previously played and defeated Summit, 66-53, in the Tri-District Tournament. That familiarity with a previously vanquished foe injected additional confidence into an already confident squad. The Hawks jumped out to an early 19-11 1st quarter lead thanks to a well-balanced scoring attack. Each member of the starting lineup scored a basket by the end of the opening quarter. 

Their tenacity didn’t let up. The Hawks flew away with a 70-51 win. This particular game was a great example of ball movement and scoring distribution, exemplified by the well-rounded scoring attack.  Davien 19 points, Davis 14 points, J.J. 13 points, Ziggy 12 points and Amare 8 points.

Thursday, March 6

The following afternoon, Tulalip faced off with #4 DeSales Catholic out of Walla Walla. Entering the game with a whopping (24-2) record, DeSales proved they were every bit as good as their 24 wins said they were.

Heritage held tough in the 1st quarter, where they only trailed by 3 points, 13-16, after eight minutes of play. But over the course of the 2nd and 3rd quarters, DeSales continued to outscore and outexecute the Hawks. Entering the 4th quarter, Tulalip trailed 38-54.

The 3-ball wasn’t falling for any Hawk outside of Davien, who made 3 of them, and made it impossible to rally enough points for a proper comeback attempt. The Hawks wings got clipped to the tune of a 51-68 loss. Davien led all scorers with 29 points and Ziggy chipped in 10 points.

Friday, March 7

Tulalip was left with no other choice but to shake off the previous day’s loss with the quickness because they had an early day tip-off with #7 Moses Lake Christian. Embodying the shooter’s mindset to the fullest was sophomore Amare Hatch. He went scoreless vs. DeSales, but in a matter of minutes he made she he got into the scorer’s book this game. Amare drained back-to-back 3-pointers that helped ignite his team’s early offense. Heritage took a 19-11 lead after one quarter of play.

Moses Lake wasn’t going to go away without a fight thought. They came back with a 2nd quarter onslaught that caught Tulalip off guard. Heritage trailed 26-29 at halftime.

In the 2nd half, it was a pair of sophomore sensations, J.J. Gray and Ziggy Myles-Gilford, who caught fire when their team needed them most. Both boys combined to score 32 of their team’s 41 2nd half points and helped propel their Hawks to a 67-54 win.

J.J. led the Hawks in scoring with 25 points, while Davien added 17 points and Ziggy 13 points. The fight and determination by the Hawks to continue their postseason journey is exemplified by a dominant 4th quarter in which they nearly scored twice as many points as Moses Lake. 

The must-have win elevated the Hawks into the 4th place game. 

Saturday, March 8

Tulalip’s favorite team of Rez ballers rose shortly after a sunrise for their final game of the ’24-’25 season. Tipping off promptly at 9:30am with a matchup with #3 Willapa Valley was no problem for a team full of young legs and a supply of seemingly endless energy.

It’s important to note that Heritage lost to Willapa Valley just eight days earlier, 53-66, in Chehalis. With that loss still fresh in their minds, the Hawks were primed for a classic get-back game.

In the 1st quarter, all five starters scored a basket. Coming off the bench, junior Tokala Black Tomahawk got in on the scoring spree as well to help his team jump out to a 20-15 lead. Both teams scored exactly 12 points in the 2nd quarter. This gave Heritage a 32-27 halftime advantage.

Forward Ziggy Myles-Gilford put on a show in the 3rd quarter while gobbling up rebounds and powering his way to the bucket for big time layups. Heritage’s defense put the clamps on all would-be scorers, playing some of their best discipled defense of the season. Willapa Valley only mustered a measly 6 points in the 3rd quarter, while the Hawks were soaring at their accustomed tempo and scored 18 points. At the end of three, Tulalip held a commanding 50-33 lead.

With their defense remaining locked in, Tulalip quelled any notion of a Willapa Valley comeback. While welcomed chants of “Tulalip Power!” rained down upon them, the boys were all smiles as they basked in a 64-46 victory. They capped off a truly memorable (22-5) season with a 4th place clinching performance to be proud of. Ziggy led all scorers with 17 points, J.J. 14 points, Davien 11 points and Davis 10 points.

After the tournament’s conclusion, junior guard Davien Parks was awarded one of the five coveted spots on the All-Tournament team.

“Our four days at state this year was great for my boys,” reflected head coach Shawn Sanchey. “We had fun out there doing our thing, gaining experience and going to battle in the Spokane Arena. Our team represented well and earned their hardware. We took home fourth place, which lands the second best placing in school history!

  “It was tough not reaching the goal of winning it all, but we adjusted to the circumstances and set a new goal,” he continued. “It’s a great feeling that they buckled down to take care of business and bring home the 4th place trophy. This State experience builds character for us and deepens the motivation to do what it takes to reach that final goal next year. We plan to get a busy off-season summer schedule doing trainings, weight lifting, leagues and tournaments to help elevate our program and take it to the next level.”

For those devout Heritage fans already looking forward to next year, all the Hawks core players are expected to return, including all 5 starters. With a full State experience now under their belts and another year of program building for the Heritage coaching staff, expectations in 2026 will be even higher for a soaring group of Hawks who etched their names into school history with a 4th place trophy.

State 1st Round: Hawks vs. Vikings goes down to the wire

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

After their 3rd place finish in the Tri-District Tournament, the (19-3) Tulalip Heritage boys basketball team ventured 2 ½ hours south for a much anticipated 1st round matchup in the WIAA 1B State Tournament. Their opponent? The (21-2) Willapa Valley Vikings out of Menlo, Washington.

The day’s finale after a full slate of 1st round games played on February 28 at W.F. High School in Chehalis, the Hawks and Vikings tipped-off at 8:05pm.

Junior shooting guard Davien Parks was sizzling early. He put his Hawks on the board with a strong drive to the bucket and score, followed by a transition layup, and then made a 15-foot jumper. His six early points notched the game at 6-6 nearly halfway through the opening quarter. Moments later, sophomore Ziggy Myles-Gilford entered the game. Ziggy missed the previous two Heritage games with a sprained ankle. He wasted no time shooting and knocking down his first jump shot of the game, resulting in an applause from the Tulalip fans in attendance, that put his Hawks up 8-7.

Heritage’s offense remained most effective in transition. Whether it was pushing the ball ahead after securing a defensive rebound or after turning the Vikings over, the boys were intent on pushing the pace and instituting their preferred high-octane style of play. Transition bucket after transition bucket, and one layup after another, Heritage was rolling early. Up 20-17 with seconds left in the 1st quarter, the Vikings missed a shot, corralled an offensive rebound, and scored on a put back as the quarter-ending buzzer sounded. 20-19 Hawks after one.

In the 2nd quarter, the offensive efficiency took a hit as the Hawks continued to push the pace. Sophomore guard J.J. Gray had himself a crowd pleasing stretch when he splashed a 3-pointer, came up with a couple steals, and outjumped multiple Vikings players for a rebound. The 5’5 J.J. even managed to climb the proverbial ladder and block the 6’2 Vikings center’s point-blank shot attempt. All that action came during a near 5-minute dry spell when both teams were struggling to score. 

Up 25-21, with two minutes until halftime, the Hawks again found success from their transition game when first Davis and then J.J. broke free for layups. Looking to take a 31-26 lead into halftime, the Hawks watched as the Vikings hit another quarter-ending buzzer beater. This time, it was a prayer heaved from out near half court that went in. 31-29 Hawks at the half.

Notably, the Hawks went 1-5 from 3-point in the 1st half. The lack of 3-point shots were indicative of an effective attack mindset by the boys. They were getting to the bucket and feasting in transition over the game’s first two quarters. This was also observed by the Vikings coaching staff who made a halftime adjustment to play less press coverage, opting to give the Hawks more space on the perimeter.

Over the course of the 2nd half, the Vikings defensive decision to load up the paint and close off driving lanes, while giving more space to Heritage perimeter players resulted in way more 3-point attempts for the Hawks. Unfortunately, they weren’t able capitalize on their 3-point barrage, like they were able to do so often during the regular season. At one point, the Hawks missed eight straight attempts from long distance and finished the 2nd half just 2-13 from downtown. 

Even with the ineffective 3-point shooting, the Hawks managed to keep the score close midway through the 4th quarter, 47-51, after junior forward Tokala Black Tomahawk found nothing but nylon on a jump shot. 

Ultimately, the lack of accustomed firepower that was missing from the Hawks on this night would prove to be too big of an obstacle to overcome. They ended up on the wrong side of a 51-59 loss.

The 51 total points is the second lowest scoring output by the Hawks all season.

After the game, J.J., who led Heritage in scoring with 19 points, shared, “Regardless of who are opponent is or what the defense is doing, it’s still just basketball. For me, it’s simple. It’s about playing team ball, getting the best looks possible, and scoring more points [than the other team]. We got a lot of good looks tonight, but didn’t make enough of them. There’s going to be games like that. We really wanted to win this game, but now we have to stay humble and keep our focus on playing as a team and getting the next win.”

Despite the disappointing loss to Willapa Valley, the now (19-4) Hawks will continue on their State Tournament journey. Next up, they travel to eastern Washington for a March 5 matchup with Summit Classical Christian in a loser-out game to be played inside Spokane Arena. Heritage previously defeated Summit, 66-53, two weeks ago in the Tri-District 3rd place game.

Hawks close out Summit Classical Christian with clutch play, take 3rd place at Tri-Districts

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

A year ago, the Tulalip boys were playing in the 4th round of the Tri-District Tournament hosted at Mt. Vernon Christian. In a highly contested game with the Muckleshoot Kings, the Hawks claimed a 3rd place finish after a thrilling 65-59 W.

Fast forward to this past weekend, the Tulalip boys were again playing in the 4th round of the Tri-District Tournament. This time it was hosted at the newly minted Muckleshoot Community Center. Their opponent? Summit Classical Christian (15-5) out of Issaquah. Just like last year, it would be another knock-down, drag-out battle that would come down to late game execution with a 3rd place finish and 2-game guarantee at State on the line. 

The bright lights of Muckleshoot’s gym made for the perfect backdrop of what would be an epic example of clutchness by the Heritage Hawks (18-3). From the opening tip, it was clear the game would be a battle of wills and contrasting styles of play. Summit had all the height with several six-footers on the court at all times, but what Heritage lacked in height they made up for with blazing speed and quickness.

In the 1st quarter, Tulalip was determined to push the tempo and attack the basket regardless if shot blockers awaited them or not. They wanted Summit to know that they’d keep attacking and weren’t afraid of any contact from a would-be six-foot defender. Their constant pressure on the defense yielded multiple uncontested looks from downtown, where Amare splashed one and Davien splashed two, giving Heritage an early 20-13 lead. 

Summit was intentional about getting the ball down low and consistently exploiting mismatches to their advantage in the 2nd quarter. Their height and rebounding ability were difficult to counter in the half court sets. Fortunately, Davien continued to his hot shooting from outside by hitting back-to-back 3-pointers. Notably, he was the only Hawk to get a bucket in the 2nd quarter. Going into halftime the game was knotted at 30-30.

Both teams scored exactly 13 points in the 3rd quarter. Summit’s scoring came from contested jumpers and long distance 2s, while Heritage’s offense came from a series of runners and floaters in the painted area.

Entering the 4th quarter, the game was tied 43-43. Guards J.J. Gray and Davien both showed their athletic prowess with a fancy finish each, contorting their bodies to get a shot off while multiple defenders went for a block attempt. Scoring on high degree of difficulty shots, Summit countered by splashing a 3 and then another long 2.

Trailing 47-48 with 6:30 to play, coach Shawn Sanchey put Amare back in the game with 4 fouls. In high school ball, players only get 5 fouls. Amare’s foul trouble forced him to sit out the entire 3rd quarter and opening plays of the 4th. The bench time meant he had the fresh legs necessary to ignite his team’s uptempo style again. 

Amare back in the game gave Tulalip a 3-headed ballhandling monster that Summit was too exhausted and too worn down to keep up with. Over the game’s final six minutes, the boys decisive decision making and commitment to ball movement resulted in crisp passes and clutch buckets to the delight of their adoring fan base.

With the three ballhandlers dissecting the defense, forwards Davis and Tokala each scored two buckets apiece in the closing moments to clinch victory. A final score of 66-53 after once trailing 47-48 meant a so impressive 19-5 run by Heritage down the stretch to secure another Tri-District 3rd place finish.

Following the game, sophomore point guard Amare Hatch said of playing the final frame with 4 fouls, “My mindset was to keep playing hard defense, keep my hands up, and to stay out of my head so I could just play ball. I know my role is to bring the energy and when I’m spreading the ball around, it just opens up the game for everyone else. That’s when we’re playing our best. It feels really good to get this dub in front of all our fans and even the bigger tribal community who showed up to support us here in Muckleshoot.”

While Amare only finished with 3 points, he filled the intangibles box score by showcasing heart, hustle and grit when his team needed him most. J.J finished with 19 points, Davis added 12 points, and Davien continued to add to his resume by leading all scorers with 26 points, including making 4 of the team’s 5 made 3-pointers.  

“Compared to all the height Summit had, we are a smaller run and gun team, but we are powered by a group of guards who will run for 4 quarters and not get tired,” said junior shooting guard Davien Parks. “At this point in the playoffs, we are going to keep seeing teams with more size and bigger bodies but when you have confidence in your game, like we do, that won’t stop us from playing our brand of basketball. Confidence can make up for a lot. For me, I believe I can takeover in any game I play and that this team can beat anybody in the State.”

A Heritage Hawks team full of confidence and armed with a determination to make school history now move on to the WIAA State Tournament. Their first round opponent is Willapa Valley. Game scheduled for 8pm Friday, February 28, at W.F. High School in Chehalis.

Hawks punch their ticket to State with 69-61 win over Muckleshoot

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

A second round Tri-District Tournament matchup with the Muckleshoot Kings (16-4) was expected to draw such a large crowd that the game was moved from Francy J. Sheldon gymnasium to Marysville Getchell. Those at the top who made that bold decision were proven right as Rez ball fans from across the I-5 corridor ventured to Marysville to watch the Tulalip Heritage Hawks (17-2) punch their ticket to the WIAA 1B State Tournament.

“The atmosphere at practice this week was good. The boys were excited for this matchup and were eager to play on this floor,” said head coach Shawn Sanchey pre-game. “We know the energy is going to be turned up a notch anytime two tribal school play one another, especially in the playoffs with fan bases that travel super well. There’s going to be a ton of talent on the floor, but we’re expecting our starters to do what they’ve been all season, which is executing our offense and keeping to our style of play.”

In front of hundreds of enthusiastic tribal onlookers, the Hawks and Kings put on a show. Muckleshoot jumped out to an early 9-3 lead with Tulalip’s offense appearing sluggish after the opening whistle. The ‘home team’ quickly responded though. Led by sophomore guard J.J. Gray and junior forward Davien Parks who opted to forgo the 3-ball in favor of attacking their matchup and getting quality looks from the painted area. The Hawks finished the 1st quarter on an 11-3 run to take a 14-12 lead. A lead they would not surrender.

They pushed their lead to 32-28 at halftime, and extended quickly to double-digits after Davien showed a flurry of moves to score around the basket. Up 42-32, Heritage’s offense began firing on all cylinders after shooting just 1-12 from 3-point territory. First, J.J. splashed a 3-ball. Then his backcourt mate, sophomore guard Amare Hatch, splashed back-to-back 3’s that received an eruption from the crowd and bench players. 

Tulalip took a commanding 67-47 lead midway in the 4th quarter that gave coach Sanchey the breathing room to pull his starters and give his bench players some burn. Chants of “Tulalip power!” rang out as the final game buzzer sounded and Heritage claimed a 69-61 victory.

Following the game, junior forward Tokala Black Tomahawk reflected on his opportunity to play extended minutes and produce big baskets and rebounds after starter Ziggy Myles exited the game early with an ankle injury. “I just wanted to come in and do my part to help our team get this win,” he said. “This morning my dad told me to just make the most of my time on the court and do my best to go after every rebound. Hearing his voice motivates me and it really paid off tonight.”

Tokala finished the game with 11 points, as did Amare. Davien scored 18 points, but it was the shortest Hawks starter, 5-foot-5 J.J. who led Tulalip with 21 points. He seemingly got a bucket whenever Muckleshoot looked to mount a comeback by penetrating the heart of their defense and scoring over multiple taller players, over and over again.

“When we play team ball, you know, move the ball around and get the defense to chase us around, it wears them down over four quarters. Eventually, the other team gets tired and that’s when our speed and stamina show out,” explained J.J. after the win. “It feels great to get the W because we had this matchup circled ever since we found out us and Muckleshoot were on the same side of the bracket. Looking forward, we just got to stay humble and do us, like always.”

Pinning their way to perfection

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

In the world of high school sports, true dominance is rare. Maintaining a season-long undefeated streak? Even rarer. But this ‘24-25 school year, the Marysville Pilchuck wrestling squad didn’t just aim for success, they aimed to rewrite the history books. 

Culminating with a dominant 62-15 match victory over archrival Marysville Getchell, the Tomahawks did just that. They finished the regular season with an unblemished 17-0 record and, in doing so, cemented themselves in school history as the most formidable team to ever step onto the mat.

From the very first match versus Shorewood, when they dominated 67-12, it was clear that this team was something special. They opened the season with a statement victory, setting the tone for what would become a relentless march toward perfection. Match after match, they took down all opponents, including incredible shutouts over Archbishop Murphy, 84-0, and Kamik, 81-0. Over and over again, the M.P. boys outworked and outlasted every competitor who dared to stand in their way. With a combination of lightning-fast takedowns, relentless chain wrestling, and impeccable mat awareness, they dictated the pace in every dual meet.

Tomahawks head coach Marcus Haughian has been leading M.P.’s program for six years and knew early on that this squad had the makings of something historic. “A lot of these kids I’ve coached since they were wrestling in youth program. I knew we really had the makings of something great when many of them decided to come to M.P. and continue wrestling together,” he said in the immediate aftermath of the Berry Bowl victory. “It feels amazing. I’ve seen first-hand how much time, dedication, and hard work this team has put in day in and day out. They deserve all the accolades for coming together as a real team and accomplishing something historic.”

Among his coaching staff are two Tulalip tribal members, Tony Hatch and Sam Davis, who, as history would have it, coached Marcus when he was an M.P. wrestler years ago. Coach Marcus couldn’t praise their efforts and guidance enough as being instrumental to the program. “Tony meant so much to me when I was a high schooler. I still call him coach even though we are colleagues now. And having Sam as a lead youth wrestling coach be here and offer his insights from coaching several of our wrestlers since they were just little kids in invaluable. We have a bunch of tribal kids in this program. They are some of the toughest kids I know. Being able to further develop the connection between Tulalip and Marysville through our wrestling program is something we, as a coaching staff, are proud of.”

While wrestling is the ultimate individual sport, this Tomahawks team thrived on unity. Each wrestler contributed, but a few standouts rose to the occasion time and time again. Senior captain Danny Vergara dominated his 175-pound weight class with a series of flawless headlocks, fireman’s carries, and picture-perfect double-leg takedowns, securing crucial victories in high-pressure situations.

“For me, being a captain is all about showing everyone that’s younger how to practice the right way, how to work hard, and how to practice good sportsmanship regardless if you win or lose,” shared Danny. “This team know how to work hard. We sweat our butts off, literally, to maintain our wrestling weight and practice every day to make each other better. It’s all that hard work that drives us to be perfect.”    

Meanwhile, 120-pound phenom Garrett Turner has stunned the competition with explosive ankle picks, powerful tilts, and relentless riding time, proving that the future is just as bright as the present. In fact, it’s widely assumed by his coaches that Garrett (33 wins) will break former M.P. icon Drew Hatch’s all-time wins record (42 wins) either this post season or early next year.

“The wins have been great, but for me the real highlights of this season have come in practice,” shared Garrett. “Our biggest and best competition is in this locker room because we know what’s on the line for us. Our practices have been full of blood, sweat and tears, and maybe a curb stomp or two, but that’s because iron sharpens iron and we’re always grinding to get better.”

One of the most thrilling moments of the season came when 106-pounder Javohn Henry executed a textbook cradle in the final seconds of a match that seemed up for grabs. The Tulalip senior secured a dramatic fall that sent the home crowd into a frenzy. Proving this team isn’t solely relying on talent, they have the grit to persevere and overcome as well.

“Most people have no idea how much discipline it takes for us to maintain our weight through an entire season. Every pound matters for us and you can miss weight just by weighing in a couple ounces heavy,” explained Javohn who in also known as the heart and soul of Tulalip Heritage’s defensive unit on the football field. He seamlessly transitioned from his bulkier safety/linebacker build to a lean, mean 106-pounder on the wrestling mat. 

“Playing football for Tulalip and now wrestling for Marysville, it’s cool to see all the community and support who follow just sports in general. Of course, it helps when the teams are good, but I know for me I feed off that positive energy,” continued the dual sport 17-year-old. “I’m proud to be adding to this history of Tulalip tribal members who showcase their athletic talents as Tomahawks. We got a bunch of Tulalip representation on this team and now we’re a part of the greatest team in Marysville Pilchuck history. How great is that? It’s a legacy to proud of. That’s for sure.” 

Seasons come and go, but undefeated records are forever. With the regular season over, the focus now shifts to the postseason where several Tomahawks intend to become State champs. Given what they’ve managed to accomplish to this point, there’s no telling just how much more history they are going to make.