Archives for March 2016

Huskies women beat Stanford 85-76 gain Final Four berth

March 29, 2016 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

UW player Kelsey Plum drive for a layup.(gohuskies.com)

The Washington Huskies women’s basketball team dispatched of Pac 12 rival Stanford 85 to 76 Sunday morning in Lexington, Kentucky for the second time this season to earn a Final Four berth for the first time in team history.

To say the fairy tale continues would be down right disrespectful of the Lady Dogs march to destiny. Technically a fairy tale is a type of short story that typically features European folkloric fantasy characters, such as dwarves, elves, fairies, giants, gnomes, goblins, mermaids, trolls, or witches, and usually magic or enchantments.

Well let me tell you my friend, the Lady Dogs march to the Final is has nothing to do with , fantasy, trolls, witches or enchantments. It’s about a group of individuals who set out on a unified mission, believed in each other and tackled the task at hand one by one methodically and systemically.

“So I’m not surprised at the way we’ve done it. I’m surprised with maybe the manner in which a lot of people have said, wow, y’all are fun to watch or, man, you made it look easy. Certainly it’s not felt easy, Husky head coach Mike Neighbors said of the teams improbable run.

How improbable is Washington’s run? After knocking out Penn in the first round to win their first NCAA tournament game since 2006, the Huskies upset No. 5 Maryland 74-65, in Maryland then dispatched of No.12 Kentucky 85-72 in Lexington of course, then No. 13 Stanford. The Huskies became the fourth team to reach the Final Four with 10 losses. The seventh-seeded HuskiesI 26-10) became the lowest seeded team to advance to the women’s Final Four since Minnesota did it in 2004.

What makes the Lady Dogs march to the final four is that they beat each of the favored teams by imposing their will on each of the opponents. All American guard Kelsey Plum led the Huskies this season with 26.6 point a game and set the Pac-12 record for free throws made and is currently just 24 points from the conference record for points. She also became the fastest player in Pac-12 history to 2,000 career points, doing it in 88 games.

In addition to Plum Washington has several contributors, 6-foot-2 Junior Chantel Osahor, she of the Sam Perkins top of the key flick three point shot, was part post scorer, rebounder and interior defender, all year and during the post season she was named the Most Outstanding Player in the regional after averaging 21.5 points, 17.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists.

Add in the clutch inside and outside shooting touch of Senior forward Talia Walton, you begin to understand that Washington is a hard nosed defensive playing team with multiple scorers who beat you by scoring from inside and outside of the key.

The Dawgs will take on No. 4 Syracuse in the National Semifinal on Sunday, April 3, in Indianapolis.

Sounders forward Clint Dempsey receives National team call up

March 23, 2016 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

Seattle Sounder FC forward Clint Dempsey and former USMNT captain has been called back to National Team duties for the teams upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches against Guatemala. Head Coach Jurgen Klinsmann named 26 players to his roster to face los Chapines, beginning with a match at Estadio Mateo Flores in Guatemala City on Friday, March 25 (7:00 p.m PT) before facing off at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus on Tuesday, March 29 (4:00 p.m. PT )

The National team roster is a blend of youth and experience. The roster has 18 players with previous experience in FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches and includes seven that have already appeared in two or more FIFA World Cup Qualifying cycles. Eight players could earn their first World Cup Qualifying cap in the matches vs. Guatemala.

“Our goal definitely for the two Guatemala fixtures is six points. We badly want to get the job done before the Copa America Centenario if possible,” said Jurgen Klinsmann. “We know it’s going to be very difficult, especially in Guatemala City, but it’s also going to be difficult in Columbus, and there we have a great crowd behind us. We tried to make sure there’s the right mix of players, and we are convinced that this roster is strong enough to get the job done.”

Dempsey is sixth all-time with 120 appearances and fifth with 107 starts for the USMNT, including appearances in each of the last three FIFA World Cups. His 48 career goals rank second all-time, just nine behind Landon Donovan for the USMNT record. Dempsey led the U.S. with nine goals in nine appearances in 2015, including Golden Boot honors at the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup, where he netted seven goals.

The USMNT is 15-4-6 all-time against Guatemala and is currently enjoying a 21-match unbeaten streak – the team’s longest current run against any international opponent. The U.S. is 7-0-5 all-time in World Cup Qualifying games against los Chapines, and has never lost at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, going 7-0-3 all-time.

Husky women have their way advance to Sweet 16

March 22, 2016 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

The No.7 seeded Washington women’s basketball team (24-10 is headed to the Sweet 16 after an improbable 74-65 win over No.2 ranked Maryland Monday night at the Xfinity Center in College Park, Maryland.

The impressive thing about the Huskies win is that they won by imposing their will on a team that had been to the last two Women’s Final Four.

It’s one thing to pull off tournament upset against a higher ranked team, but to do it on the opponents home court and impose your will, that is down right one heck of an achievement.

As has been the case all season, Washington was led by three-time Pac-12 honoree and 2016 second team All-American Kelsey Plum, who finished the game with 32 points, six rebounds and seven assists. Plum’s biggest assist of the night was her dime to Talia Walton who drained a three pointer to give the Huskies a 63 to 55 advantage with 1:25 left in the game. Walton finished the night with 20 points none bigger than the game clinching three according to the former McDonald’s High School All American.

“You can’t really describe it. I think it’s just all the doubters who have told our team that we’re not good enough, or all the people that told me that Washington was the wrong school and (Mike) Neighbors was the wrong coach. I think in that moment, God said, ‘Nope. You’re right where you are and right where you’re supposed to be.’ I think that was the icing on top of the cake.” Plum said of the shot that propelled the Huskies to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2001.

Washington earned the trip with outstanding rebounding and interior defense that limited Maryland’s high scoring duo of Brionna Jones and Malina Howard to a combined eight points. Shantori Walker-Kimbrough led the Terrapins with 17 points and Brebe Moseley chipped in 16 points.

Washington forward Mathilde Gilling left the game in the third quarter after suffering a leg injury. He availability will be updated pending an MRI according to Husky coach Mike Neighbors.

Washington will now face Kentucky Friday night at 4 p.m., PT in Lexington.

Sounders lose to Whitecaps 2-1 start season 0-3

March 21, 2016 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

Pedro Morales converted a penalty kick in each half to give the visiting Vancouver Whitecaps a stunning 2-1victory over the Seattle Sounders Saturday night at Century Link Field in front of a capacity crowd of 40,012 fans. The win by the Whitecaps (1-2) snapped an 0-2 start to the season and left the Sounders winless after three MLS games.

“Not pleased with result, its a game I thought we controlled the majority of the game I am not sure about the PK’s.” Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid said after the game. “I have not seen the replays, I have seen guys trip themselves in the box I know it happens, it seems like right now we are not catching a break in any way shape or form, obviously it has to get better at the end of the day for us to win.”

Morales first spot kick conversion came in the 10th minute when Joevin Jones was whistled for a penalty against the Whitecaps Christian Bolaños inside the box. Awarded the gift, Morales wasted no time in right footing the ball to the bottom left corner for the 1-0 lead.

After some discombobulation due to the goal, the Sounders regained their focus, purpose and had some good looks at the goal but when the halftime whistle blew, the home side was still down a goal .

The Sounders started the second half as they finished the first half, on the front foot and determined to score. The Sounders did not have to wait long for their hard work to pay off.

The Rave Green tied the game in the 51st minute after Clint Dempsey and Andrea Ivanschitz traded roles, that being Demspey drew a foul just outside the Vancouver goal box and Ivanschitz left footed an exquisite shot past Whitecaps keeper David Ousted.

Once the score was leveled the two sides threw caution to the wind and went searching for the game winner. Vancouver’s Octavio Rivero 57th minuter header from the centre of the was saved Stephan Frei, and Jordan Morris’s right footed shot from the left side of the box was saved by Whitecaps keeper David Ousted.

The two sides stayed deadlocked until the 74th minute when Seattle’s Chad Marshall fouled Vancouver’s Blas Pérez in the penalty box and the Whitecaps were awarded their second penalty of the game. Pedro Morales took the spot kick and once again right footed the ball past Seattle keeper Stefan Frei for the game winner.

For Vancouver coach Carl Robinson the win against the Sounders was a hard earned team effort.

“It was a better performance. This game is a process and if you put the right performances in, the results will come.” Robinson said after the game. “I think we tripped ourselves up with mistakes in the first two games and we accepted that. Today was a team performance.”

The Sounders played without two starters, Erik Friberg (knee) was replaced by Cristian Roldan, and center back Brad Evans (shoulder) was replaced by veteran Zach Scott for the second straight game.

The Sounders will return to action at home against the Montreal Impact on April 2 after upcoming FIFA international date next weekend.

Seattle Sounders to face Cascadia rivals Vancouver Whitecaps Saturday night in battle of winless teams

March 18, 2016 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

To say things are not going as planned for the Seattle Sounders FC in this young MLS season would be an understatement. After two games the Sounders find themselves at the bottom of the Western Conference scrap heap with a 0-2 record and a minus two goal differential.

The Sounders find themselves in the said predicament due to some unfortunate circumstances as well as some self inflicted wounds. In the home opening 1-0 loss to Sporting Kansas City the Sounders were winning the on field battle of ball possession and shots taken when Sounder defender Oneil Fisher was sent off for a reckless challenge in the 41st minute. While they battled the one man disadvantage eventually took it’s toll and led to the one goal loss for the Sounders. The Sounders started the game without first team starters Tyrone Mears( quad strain) and Eric Friberg( concussion protocol)

In last Saturday’s 2-1 loss at Real Salt Lake the visiting Sounders took a 1-0 lead in the 28th minute on a Osvaldo Alonso goal only to see the home side tie the game in the 43rd minute on a goal by Sunny and the game winner by Jamison Olave in the 86th minute. While the Sounders suffered another bite from the injury bug similar to the first game, Erik Friberg ( knee) Brad Evans ( shoulder) and Stefan Frei( elbow) both goals might have been avoided with better communication between defenders.

If the Sounders are to snap the winless streak they will have to do it against Cascade Rival Vancouver Whitecaps who are also 0-2. “They are going to be hungry, we are at home, we want to be dominant here and don’t want to lose a bunch of game, forward Clint Dempsey said after the teams practice on Thursday morning.”Its going to be a tough game given the Cascadia rivalry and the fact that both teams are winless and looking to win.”

As for the goals, Dempsey believes it’s just a matter of time before the offense clicks.

“Still a work in progress,” said Dempsey, who has yet to score from the run of play in 2016. “[We’ve] got to do a better job as a team just circulating the ball in the attacking third and getting better looks in front of goal. The first game against Club America I thought we moved the ball well, but since then we haven’t been able to create chances that we want. The chemistry is still building.”

The two teams met three times in league play a year ago – and the visiting team won all three, all by shutout. Sounders FC won twice at BC Place, a 2-0 win May 16, and a 3-0 win Sept. 19. Whitecaps FC took a 3-0 win Aug. 1 at CenturyLink Field. The Sounders FC win in the first meeting last year snapped a five-game undefeated streak for Whitecaps FC in the series. It was also the first win ever for Sounders FC at BC Place in six trips. Whitecaps FC have won three consecutive league games against their Cascadia rivals at CenturyLink Field.

Vancouver will be without Jordan Smith and Kianz Froese who each picked up a red card in the teams 2-0 loss at Houston. Sounders FC goalkeeper Stefan Frei is expected to start in goal for Saturdays 7 p.m. PT kickoff at Century Link Field.

Seattle Seahawks lose Russell Okung to Denver Broncos

March 18, 2016 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

Former Seahawks tackle Russell Okung .(Picture courtesy of Denver Broncos twitter feed)

Former Seattle Seahawks offensive tackle Russell Okung has found a new home with the Denver Broncos after calling Seattle home for the past six years. Okung was the No.6 pick in the 2010 draft making him the first draft pick of the Pete Carroll and John Schneider era in Seattle. Okung’s deal is for one year at $5 million and a four-year, $48 million team option.

Okung started 72 games in his six seasons with the Seahawks and earned Pro Bowl honors in 2012. The departure of Okung means the Seahawks have lost two offensive line to this month’s free agency transactions. Right guard J.R Sweezy signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week.

While the Seahawks lost two offensive linemen to free agency, in the end it was a zero-sum gain as they added two tackles in J’Marcus Webb, a 16-game starter for the Oakland Raiders last season, and former Arizona Cardinal Bradley Sowell.

With Okung leaving, and with Bruce Irvin signing with Oakland last week, All-Pro free safety Earl Thomas, the No. 14 pick in the 2010 draft pick, is currently the only first-rounder on Seattle’s roster.

Letter to the Community for The family of Che’ Taylor

March 18, 2016 by Dennis Beaver Leave a Comment

To everyone who has supported us following the death of Che’ Andre Taylor, we would like to express our sincere thanks and deep appreciation. Your many acts of kindness and sympathy continue to be a great comfort to us in our time of sorrow.

We had the honor of generously receiving delicious food, lovely flowers, cards, financial support, emails and wonderful posts shared on social media. We want to appreciate those who are standing with our family in solidarity to seek justice for Che’ Taylor and acknowledge those have joined the NOT THIS TIME movement against police violence. Che’ touched the lives of so many people and will be forever missed. We know that Che’ will live in the hearts of all who shared their grief with us through this difficult time.

Warm Regards,

The family of Che’ Taylor

Huskies Men’s season to continue, will host Long Beach State Tuesday Night in NIT clash.

March 14, 2016 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

Turns out the University of Washington Men’s basketball will do some dancing after all. Washington (18-14, 9-9 Pac-12) earned a number three seed in the 2016 National Invitational Tournament and will host the sixth seeded Long Beach State 49ers Tuesday night at the Alaska Airlines Arena. Kickoff for the Nationally televised game on ESPN 2 will be 6.p.m. While it’s not the big big dance, it is a chance for the young Huskies to extend their season and build some momentum and excitement for the program.

“We’re excited to continue to play more games and get more practices, and our lone senior Andrew Andrews gets to extend his career a little longer,” said head coach Lorenzo Romar. “Long Beach State is a quality team and they were probably 20 or 30 seconds away from being an NCAA tournament team themselves. They’re very good, we’ve played them in the past and Coach Monson and his staff have done a great job with their team so it will be a fun challenge.”

This will be Washington’s eight time playing in the NIT Tournament and it’s first post season game since 2013. Washington is 6-7 overall in NIT games and will be hosting for the third time in program history . The Dogs are 4-1 when playing in the NIT at home. The Huskies have reached the postseason in nine of Coach Romar’s 14 seasons , the UW has had a winning season record 12 times under Romar.

Washington will be hoping to impose it’s signature turn over creating stifling defense against the 49ers who suffered a heart breaking 64 to 60 loss to the University of Hawai’i in the Big West Tournament title game and an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament. The 49ers Noah Blackwell missed an open look three pointer with less than a minute, and were able to create a turnover and had one last chance but Justin Bibbins shot failed to find the bottom of the net.

“We were trying to win it on [the final] possession, with Travis and Nick out overtime was going to be a monumental task for us,” LBSU head coach Don Monson said after the game. “I have no regrets with Bibbins taking that. I thought he made a good move to pump fake, and he’s our best three-point shooter. I would take that shot to go to the NCAA Tournament every time.”

Bibbins and teammate Nick Faust were named to the six-player All-Tournament team after helping guide Long Beach State to the finals. Faust averaged 17.7 points and 7.7. rebounds for Long Beach State, while Bibbins contributed 14.7 points and just under six assists per game for the 49ers.

Washington will be led by the dynamic duo of Senior Andrew Andrews the Pac 12 leading scorer and rookie sensation and projected lottery pick( if he goes) Dejounte Murray. Andrews earned First Team All-Pac 12 honors also earned a spot on the USBWA All-District Team. He’s the ﬁrst Pac-12 ﬁrst teamer since 2012 (Terrence Ross, Tony Wroten) and the ﬁrst to earn All-District honors since C.J. Wilcox (2014).

Murray was the leading freshmen in the Pac-12 in scoring (15.6), steals (1.8) and assists (4.2) and is second in rebounding (5.8) .The Rainier Beach alum is the first freshman in the league to rank in the top three in all four of those categories. Murray set the UW freshman single-game scoring record with 34 points against ASU, all of which came inside the arc … his 34 pts, 11 rebs and 6 assists the only other freshman to match those numbers this season was Ben Simmons of LSU with (43 pts, 14 rebs, seven assists vs. North Florida)

Sounders FC lose to Real Salt Lake 2-1 start season 0-2

March 14, 2016 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

While it’s a little to early to pull on the fire alarm button, a trip to the medicine cabinet for the head ache reducing pill is in order for Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid after Saturday’s deflating 2-1loss to Real Salt Lak e (1-0-1) at Rio Tinto Stadium .

For the Sounders (0-2), Saturday’s loss was a double dose of pain, physically and mentally. The mental anguish for the Rave Green came from the fact that they dominated the majority of the first half, scored the games first goal and went into the halftime break tied at one all.

After dominating the first 40 minutes of the game Midfielder Osvaldo Alonso rifled home a deflected Nick Rimando save to give the visitors the early lead only to see a defensive lapse on a RSL corner kick lead to a Sunday Stephan Obayan header just before the half, sending both teams into the mid game break deadlocked at one a piece.

After the restart the Sounders lost their ball possession dominance and both teams tried to gain the upper hand but the game was choppy and had very little flow to it. The Sounders final mental aguish occurred in 86th minute when RSL midfielder Juan Manuel Martinez lofted a high cross that teammate Jamison Olave out jumped Seattle debutant keeper Tyer Miller for the game winner.

Miller started the game for Stefan Frei who was unavailable for the match due to elbow inflammation. Frei’s pre game injury was just the beginning of the injury woes for the Sounders. During the game, the Rave Green lost Erik Friburg in the 15th minute due to a knee injury, Jordan Morris was subbed in the 76th minute after a head to head collision Real’s Chris Wingert to add insult to injury Nelson Valdez was subbed off in injury time due to a sore left leg.

With Saturday’s victory, Real Salt Lake remained undefeated all-time in MLS home openers and is now 5-0-7 in those games.With the loss, the Rave Green have dropped the first two matches of the season for the second time in club history (2011)

In Loving Memory of Willie Tyrone Hooks

March 14, 2016 by Dennis Beaver Leave a Comment

In Loving Memory of Willie Tyrone Hooks

August 26, 1955 – February 29, 2016
Willie T. Hooks left this earth in a blink of an eye on Leap Day 2106 after taking a walk on the Cedar River Trail in Renton, WA. He moved from Sheffield AL to Seattle WA when he was 8, with his mother Nell Pritchett (dec.) and 5 sisters: Yvonne, Norah, El-May (Minnie), Deborah (Day-Day), and Nell Elizabeth (dec.). His older brothers Judge and George moved to this area later.
Willie grew up near Garfield High School and played basketball with the “Superdogs” team. He retired from Boeing after 33 years. Willie is survived by his wife April, children Jeremiah (Michelle), Nehemiah and Genova (Stefan), and 5 grandchildren.
Memorial services Saturday, March 19 at 11 a.m., Seed of Abraham Pentecostal Church located 246 N Wells, Renton WA 98055 where Willie was an elder of long standing.