Latest news with #NorthThurston
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Vote now for The News Tribune's Girls Athlete of the Week (March 3 to 8)
Vote for The News Tribune's Girls Athlete of the Week for contests played between March 3-8. Voting will remain open until noon Thursday. The poll is located below. You can read about all of the candidates and their accomplishments below. Note: If you are not seeing the poll at the bottom of the story, try opening the story in a different browser, such as Chrome or Safari. Votes emailed will not be counted. Want to nominate a South Sound high school athlete in the future? Email reporter Jon Manley ( or Tyler Wicke (twicke@ or send a direct message on Twitter/X (@manley_tnt or @WickeTyler) with the athlete's first and last name, school, year, position and a stat line from game(s) during the past week. Nominations must be submitted by 5 p.m. Sunday. Jasmine Andrisek, Annie Wright basketball — Gators guard grabbed 18 rebounds with 13 points and two assists in Wednesday's 1A Round of 12 win over Lakeside at the state tournament, 71-57. Kawehi Borden, Sumner basketball — Sophomore guard carried the Spartans to the 4A state championship game averaging 20.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game in the Tacoma Dome. All-tournament first-team selection dropped 24 points with five rebounds in a title-game loss to No. 1 Davis. Olivia Collins, Sumner basketball — Junior guard and 4A all-tournament first-team selection guided Spartans to the state championship game, including a 25-point performance over Woodinville (semis) and 14-point, 10-rebound double-double over Camas in the state quarterfinals. Shayla Cordis, North Thurston basketball — Rams shooting guard posted 15+ points and 3+ rebounds in all three games at the Tacoma Dome's 3A state tournament last week, including 23 points, six boards, and four assists in Saturday's third-place win over Garfield. Avery Hansen, Auburn basketball — Trojans guard had 16-point, 12-rebound double-double in Round of 12 win over Redmond, then posted 16-point, 11-rebound double-double in Saturday's loss to Chiawana in the state's fourth-place game. 4A all-tournament second-team selection. Aaliyeh Martin, Annie Wright basketball — Gators guard guided Annie Wright to 1A semifinals with 22 points, six rebounds, and four assists in Round of 12 win over Lakeside and double-double (10 PTS, 10 REB) in quarterfinals vs. Seton Catholic. Soraya Ogaldez, North Thurston basketball — Rams point guard took No. 2 North Thurston to the 3A state semifinals with 29 points, eight rebounds, and three assists in Thursday's quarterfinal win over Bellevue. All-tournament first-team selection had 24-point, 11-rebound double-double in third-place win over Garfield. Maggee Schmitz, White River basketball — Hornets guard dropped 23 points with eight rebounds and five assists in Wednesday's 3A Round of 12 loss to Garfield at the Tacoma Dome, 51-47.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
3A girls state hoops: 5 players who stood out in quarterfinals at the Tacoma Dome
Eight teams squared off in four games in the Class 4A boys high school state tournament bracket in the quarterfinal round on Thursday at the Tacoma Dome. Here are the results and five players who stood out from the session. Follow our full boys coverage and girls coverage from the Tacoma Dome from Thursday, complete with game recaps, stats, photo galleries from TNT photographers Brian Hayes and Pete Caster, coach and player interviews and more. No. 19 Garfield 52, No. 4 Stanwood 30 No. 1 Central Valley 45, No. 7 Kennewick 37 No. 6 Lakeside 47, No. 5 Seattle Prep 40 No. 2 North Thurston 63, No. 17 Bellevue 50 G Soraya Ogaldez, North Thurston, sr. — On both ends of the floor, Ogaldez was all over the place in North Thurston's win over Bellevue, scoring a game-high 29 points with eight rebounds, three assists, a blocked shot and five steals. Made four of her eight 3-point attempts. G Shayla Cordis, North Thurston, jr. — Complemented teammate Soraya Ogaldez's performance with a quality one of her own, scoring 20 points with three rebounds and three steals. G Willa Chinn, Lakeside, sr. — Another day, another standout performance for Lakeside's star guard. This time: 22 points, two rebounds, an assist, a steal and a perfect 10-of-10 mark from the free throw line. G Eden Sander, Central Valley, sr. — About as clean a performance as it gets: 24 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two blocked shots, no turnovers. Shot 73 percent from the field and a perfect 8-of-8 from the free throw line. G Jayda Lewis, Garfield, sr. — Active both offensively and defensively, Lewis scored 18 points with five rebounds, five assists and seven steals in win over Stanwood. Shot 64 percent from the field. Garfield's Jayda Lewis on the team's run as a No. 19 seed: 'Being the 19th seed, I still believed in my that we were going to make it no mater what, no matter who was against us. I just stay composed and make sure my team was composed and we just take it one game at a time.' Central Valley's Eden Sander on the top-seeded Bears playing a nervy game: 'I think we just had to get used to the hoops. It's definitely a new court and a new environment. I think we're settled in and we'll be good now – just getting some nerves out.' North Thurston's Soraya Ogaldez on fending off to 23-3 Bellevue run: 'We were just nervous. We had a good talk in the locker room to settle our nerves and go out and play our game like we know we're supposed to.'
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
27 down, three to go: No. 2 North Thurston's blue-chip backcourt rolls into Tacoma Dome
Soraya Ogaldez and Shayla Cordis weren't always co-stars. They were fierce competitors. Just last season, Cordis and her younger sister, Sierra, played across town — less than five miles from North Thurston's campus, to be exact – at Timberline High School, the Rams' biggest and toughest 3A PSL rival. When a transfer sent the siblings north ahead of the 2024-25 school year, two of the league's best players became teammates. Now they're one of the state's most athletic and dynamic backcourts. Ogaldez remembers when a North Thurston assistant broke the news and asked her: 'How do you feel about playing with Shayla and Sierra?' An easy reply for the senior point guard: 'Excited. Very excited. Overly excited. This is perfect.' The journey began in summer league, and the rest is history. 'Being able to be on the same court as all of these girls is something I can't put into words,' Shayla told The News Tribune. What has the Ogaldez-Cordis duo accomplished in their one year together? Only the most decorated girls basketball season in school history. North Thurston (27-1, 20-0) rolled to undisputed 3A PSL Nisqually and District 3/4 titles, earning the No. 2 seed in this week's state tournament at the Tacoma Dome. They dropped their season opener at 4A-Olympia on Dec. 2, 45-38, and haven't lost again. 27 wins in a row. Rams head coach Jackie Meyer laughed. 'Don't jinx us!' Girls basketball tends to be more stern, more focused, and more intense, Meyer says — but these Rams don't show it. They'll play spoons in the stands at junior varsity games and create locker-room TikToks inspired by the viral dances and trends, even including Meyer in the fun. And when it's their turn to tip off, the Rams aren't phased by the biggest moments. They've already passed tests against No. 3 White River, No. 7 Kennewick, and 4A-Auburn, that bracket's six-seed. No lights are too bright and no stage is too big. And when North Thurston inevitably clobbers 3A PSL foes, the postgame celebrations aren't too exuberant. 'I think that's what's special about them,' Meyer said after Tuesday's practice. 'Also, having the experience… a few of them have gone to state. 'When people (suggest) my team's not necessarily super celebratory, I think we still have unfinished business. There's a bigger goal.' Ogaldez (23.2 PPG, 4.3 SPG) is the 'flashy, but controlled' point guard with ball-handling skills beyond her years, the number-one option for an offense averaging over 68 points per game. When the state's third-leading scorer isn't driving to the rim with slick moves that wow the crowd, she's facilitating for Cordis (21 PPG, 4.6 SPG) — another 20-point scorer in North Thurston's lethal backcourt. Rams senior Grace Lee loads the box score with nearly 13 points, four steals, and a team-leading seven rebounds per game. Sierra Cordis adds seven points and four rebounds. 'We trust each other,' Ogaldez said. 'Everybody plays their role like they're supposed to. There's no clashing. It's why we're doing so well. 'When (Shayla's) hot, give it to her. When I'm hot, give it to me. Whoever's hot.' Pretty simple formula, eh? 'We're just playing and letting our games speak for themselves,' Cordis said. The Rams toppled No. 7 Kennewick in last weekend's regional round at the University of Puget Sound, extending North Thurston's win streak to 27 and pushing them directly into the 3A quarterfinals at the Tacoma Dome. If the Rams hoist the golden basketball with a first-place finish on Saturday, the streak would reach 30. And what would all of it mean for the superstar duo, their teammates, their program, their coaches? Ogaldez smiled. 'Everything,' she said. 'This is my last year, so I want to win. It would be everything.' The Rams await the winner of Wednesday's 3A Round of 12 matchup between No. 8 Meadowdale and No. 17 Bellevue, a welcomed off-day for North Thurston allowing for one last shootaround. They'll break down and scout both teams, to be safe. Either way, it's the same message from Meyer: 'Intensity on defense. Hoping we can generate a lot of points off of the other's team turnovers. Surprising people with that athleticism… that's been our game, those fast-point generators. I think that's what gets Soraya's game moving a lot. Getting those easy lay-ups, it settles everybody in.' Cordis: 'It's my first time ever being in the Dome, so I'm just seeking the experience. … Just one game at a time. Every game is not guaranteed. (Every) team could come out with their best game against us, so staying poised even in these tough situations. Being calm and collected. Not forcing shots. 'Let's go get this ring!'
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Vote now for The News Tribune's Girls Athlete of the Week (Feb. 17 to 22)
Vote now for The News Tribune's Girls Athlete of the Week for contests played between Feb 17-22. Voting will remain open until noon Thursday. The poll is located below. You can read about all of the candidates and their accomplishments below. Note: If you are not seeing the poll at the bottom of the story, try opening the story in a different browser, such as Chrome or Safari. Votes emailed will not be counted. Want to nominate a South Sound high school athlete in the future? Email reporter Jon Manley ( or Tyler Wicke (twicke@ or send a direct message on Twitter/X (@manley_tnt or @WickeTyler) with the athlete's first and last name, school, year, position and a stat line from game(s) during the past week. Nominations must be submitted by 5 p.m. Sunday. Makyla Bolinger, Emerald Ridge wrestling — Captured the Girls 4A 135 state title at Tacoma Dome's Mat Classic XXXVI on Friday. Taydem Bylin, Enumclaw wrestling — Won Friday's Girls 3A 140 championship match at Tacoma Dome's Mat Classic XXXVI. Shayla Cordis, North Thurston basketball — Scored a game-high 37 points in win over River Ridge in the 3A District 3/4 semifinals on Wednesday and a team-high 24 points in win over White River in district championship game on Saturday. Ariyana Deloney, Auburn basketball — The hero in Auburn's 4A District 3/4 championship win over Camas on Saturday, Deloney scored the go-ahead 3-pointer with 15 seconds left on the clock. Avery Hansen, Auburn basketball — Scored a game-high 22 points in win over No. 4 Camas in the 4A District 3/4 championship game. Vivian Kingston, White River basketball — Scored 22 points in win over Decatur in 3A District 3/4 semifinal on Wednesday and 17 points in loss to North Thurston in district championship game on Saturday. Sloane Kruger, Black Hills wrestling — Won Saturday's Girls 2A 100 championship match at Tacoma Dome's Mat Classic XXXVI. Lilyana Lamothe, White River wrestling — Won Friday's Girls 3A 130 championship match at Tacoma Dome's Mat Classic XXXVI. Grace Lee, North Thurston basketball — Scored 18 points in win over River Ridge in 3A District 3/4 semifinal on Wednesday and 16 points in district championship win over White River on Saturday. Selena Mares-Castro, Graham-Kapowsin wrestling — Captured the Girls 4A 170 state title at Tacoma Dome's Mat Classic XXXVI on Friday. Saige McCleery, Sumner wrestling — Captured the Girls 4A 130 state title at Tacoma Dome's Mat Classic XXXVI on Friday. Soraya Ogaldez, North Thurston basketball — Scored 18 points in win over White River in 3A District 3/4 championship game on Saturday. Bailey Parker, Peninsula wrestling — Won Friday's Girls 3A 155 championship match at Tacoma Dome's Mat Classic XXXVI. Persephone Puz, Vashon Island wrestling — Won Saturday's Girls 1A 145 championship match at Tacoma Dome's Mat Classic XXXVI. Aleksia Ramirez, Lakes wrestling — Won Friday's Girls 3A 100 championship match at Tacoma Dome's Mat Classic XXXVI. Maggee Schmitz, White River basketball — Scored a game-high 26 points in win over Decatur in 3A District 3/4 semifinal on Wednesday and a game-high 25 points in loss to North Thurston in the district championship game on Saturday. Lindsey Shipp, Peninsula wrestling — Won Friday's Girls 3A 170 championship match at Tacoma Dome's Mat Classic XXXVI. Mira Sonnen, Peninsula wrestling — Won Friday's Girls 3A 145 championship match at Tacoma Dome's Mat Classic XXXVI. Belleza Torres, Orting wrestling — Won Saturday's Girls 2A 190 championship match at Tacoma Dome's Mat Classic XXXVI. Dayna Vi, Kentwood wrestling — Captured the Girls 4A 190 state title at Tacoma Dome's Mat Classic XXXVI on Friday. Bailee Wagner, Sumner wrestling — Captured the Girls 4A 115 state title at Tacoma Dome's Mat Classic XXXVI on Friday. Madison Watts, Orting wrestling — Won Saturday's Girls 2A 125 championship match at Tacoma Dome's Mat Classic XXXVI. Winter West, Bonney Lake wrestling — Captured the Girls 4A 110 state title at Tacoma Dome's Mat Classic XXXVI on Friday.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
3A district semis: White River beats Decatur, North Thurston blows out River Ridge
Here's a breakdown of Class 3A District 3/4 semifinal games played at Mount Tahoma High School on Wednesday night. White River found itself in unfamiliar territory, trailing to Decatur at halftime in a 3A District 3/4 tournament semifinal game at Mount Tahoma on Wednesday night. The Hornets had already defeated the Gators twice this season, both by comfortable margins. The answer the third time around: a heavy dose of feeding the ball to 6-foot forward Vivian Kingston in the third quarter. Kingston sparked White River's run, the Hornets jumped out to a lead and never looked back, beating Decatur 62-49 to advance to the bidistrict championship game. 'Getting (Kingston) the ball opened up all our shooters outside,' said White River sophomore guard Maggee Schmitz, who scored a game-high 26 points. 'She was feeling it, she got the hot hand, we kept feeding her the ball. 'We knew we had to step it up. We knew we had beaten this team before and we knew we had to play as a team.' And then Schmitz heated up, scoring 16 of her 26 points in the second half. 'I knew I had to get to the hoop to score, knew I had to try to drive, so that's what I did,' Schmitz said. Decatur was paced by Iyanna Waltar's 15 points. Jeralynn Sevaaetasi and guard Jayda Thomas added 13 points for the No. 14 seed Gators, who advanced to the semifinal round with a stunning upset of No. 3 Bellarmine in the first round and a win over Auburn Mountainview in the quarterfinals. Both teams are safely into the state tournament. And now White River (20-2) will get a crack at top-seeded North Thurston in the bidistrict championship game on Saturday, 5 p.m. at Mount Tahoma. 'We've been preparing for that,' Schmitz said. 'We've been watching film and everything. We're ready for it.' It didn't take long for North Thurston to turn the game into a track meet, pushing the tempo at an overwhelming pace that has become the Rams' signature this season. That was bad news for River Ridge, which didn't have the answers for the questions North Thurston kept asking. North Thurston ran up and down the court, forcing turnovers, scoring in transition, inside, outside — anywhere and everywhere — running away with a 89-51 win to advance to the 3A District 3/4 championship game on Saturday. 'We just work our butts off on defense, turn them into fast breaks, run those lanes, get wide for open threes or the open layup,' said junior guard Shayla Cordis. 'Then when we get the contact, we finish and it's And-1 every single time.' Cordis, who transferred from Timberline in the offseason, put on a show, scoring a game-high 37 points. 'At the beginning, I knew my shots weren't falling, so I just attacked the hoop,' she said. 'I stepped back to the three and ever since then my shot was going in.' Senior guard Grace Lee added 18 points. Senior guard Soraya Ogaldez and sophomore forward Sierra Cordis added 14 points apiece. Ogaldez fouled out midway through the third quarter, picking up her fifth foul on a technical foul after making a shot. Junior guard Brandi Stanford led River Ridge with 25 points. North Thurston (25-1) has now won 25 straight games after dropping the season opener to Olympia. 'We just keep working as a team,' Cordis said. 'It's just amazing, coming from losing games and being down on myself to now winning all these games with all these new players, it's just amazing. We just keep playing as a team, pushing the ball.' Defense is the name of the game in Auburn these days. For the second time in the past three games, the Trojans held an opponent under 30 points. Last week, Auburn beat Bethel in the tournament's opening round, 62-25. Guard Keleesa Howard led the Trojans with 17 points. Ariyana Deloney added 11. Auburn, the tournament's No. 6 seed, will face No. 4 Camas — which upset top-seeded Union in the other semifinal, 63-56 — in the bidistrict championship game at 8 p.m. on Saturday at Auburn High School.
