February 2015

by Paul Moseley

Accolades for the the West Seattle girls basketball team continue this week as both its Head Coach and Center take top honors in voting among league coaches.

Coach Sonya Elliott was named the 2015 Coach of the Year for the Metro League. This is Elliott’s second coach of the year award in three years. Now in her fifth year coaching the Wildcats, Elliott has progressed the team from a 3-15 record her first year to a 17-2 record this season. The West Seattle girls went undefeated in the Metro this year, ending the season a perfect 14-0. Going into the State Tournament, West Seattle is ranked 2nd in the State by MaxPreps and 3rd by the AP.

Salty’s Seafood Grills will feature a very special event Tuesday, Feb. 10 at all three of its locations. From 6:30 to 8:30pm they are asking you to visit and offer a donation of any amount in support of Camp Victory. For over 25 years, Camp Victory has been creating healing for child and teen survivors of sexual abuse. Their residential camps provide these children and teens a nurturing, safe environment full of music, friendship and adventure. There is never any cost to attend Camp Victory and many of their campers return year after year. In addition to the camp experience, Camp Victory supports year-round social events to help keep campers connected to each other and the organization. Throughout their lives, all of their children and teens know that Camp Victory is just a phone call away.

This event is part of Salty’s “Tune up Tuesday” event series that benefit groups and causes.

Watch their music calendar for the group playing live music in your area. View their Cafe-Bar Menus before you visit:
• Alki Beach / Seattle Cafe-Bar Menu
• Redondo Beach Cafe-Bar Menu
• Columbia River / Portland Cafe-Bar Menu

By Anastasia Stepankowsky

Senior Oshae Walker was hot all night, but her effort couldn’t overcome a rollercoaster effort by the Chief Sealth Ladyhawks (5-12), who fell to Eastside Catholic (13-7) Friday night.

Walker netted 10 of the Ladyhawks 12 first-quarter points and finished with 19 in the 63-51 loss in the Ladyhawks final regular season game.

“We could have competed a little more. I think we gave them momentum at times. We gave up at times and then we didn’t give up at times. I think we should try a little bit harder next time,” Walker said.

The Crusaders crept out to an early 14-4 early lead despite lackluster shooting. An 8-0 burst keyed by Walker’s consecutive three-pointers brought the Ladyhawks close at the end of the first quarter.

The Ladyhawks unraveled after a technical foul for language gave Walker her third penalty. The incident, and some earlier questionable calls, prompted grumbling and catcalls about the refereeing. The distraction helped the Crusaders widen their lead to 17-12. But Chief Sealth fought back and trailed only 28-26 at the half.

by Paul Moseley

It was Senior night at West Seattle, and the lady Wildcats celebrated by beating Franklin 62-20. The victory gives the Wildcats a perfect record in the Metro league to add to their regular season championship. Next up, the State Tournament.

Seniors Rachel Devore and Kristine La started the game for West Seattle, and both contributed throughout the game. Devore finished with 2 points and La had 1 point. The other Seniors include Charli Elliott (6 points), Annalisa Ursino (6 points), and Emily Fiso - the game's high scorer with 18.

Junior Lexi Ioane also had a big night with 15.

Check back here to get details on the upcoming State tournament that starts with the District championship. West Seattle should be a favorite in the District and will be a team to watch to go all the way.

by Paul Moseley

West Seattle is used to running with bigger teams. They've been doing it all season. Tonight, they went against a Franklin team that was bigger and could run with them for four quarters. In a game where the Wildcats played catch-up for most of it, the Franklin Quakers played fast-break, pressure basketball and beat the Wildcats 68-64.

Down by 17 at the half, West Seattle came out in the third quarter and put on a dizzying comeback, getting to within five by commanding the boards and converting on fast breaks as well as outside shots. Sophomore Nate Pryor put on a clinic, working the court on offense and defense and partnering with Senior Andre Moore to keep the Wildcats close.

Ultimately, there was not enough time on the clock to complete the job, and West Seattle now must wait for the tournament Gods to speak before they find out if they will have a game with home court advantage.

by Kathryn Kingen

It's three o'clock and I am working at my computer. I hear a soft voice calling, "chocolate." A little louder it repeats itself, "choooocolaaaaate." No, go away I say, I'm trying to be good. "But chocolate is good," the voice whispers musically. It proves too much to resist. I give in and find that dark chunk of temptation, break off a piece and take an intoxicating bite. Ummm, I say to myself with one eyebrow raised, Should I feel guilty now?

by Chef Jeremy McLachlan

It seems that nowadays the check-out aisle in your local grocery store is inundated with different flavored chocolates. The traditional breath mints, People magazines and candy bars are getting shoved aside by high-end chocolate that is filled with sea salt, chili peppers or goji berries. These chocolates are great but REALLY expensive. With just three easy steps you can make high-end chocolates at home and save yourself a ton of money. Picture yourself strutting around your kitchen with an oversized Willy Wonka hat and a jazzy walking cane singing, "Come with me you will be in a world of pure imagination!" To top it off, chocolate is actually Good for You as Kathy Kingen tells us, and home-made chocolate makes a great Valentine's gift! Here's what you need to know:

Step 1: Choose the Right Chocolate

At the end of 2014 Seattle Police department announced they will be conducting a yearlong pilot study to test body cameras worn by officers. A dozen East Precinct officers wear the cameras, and what the study finds could set the standard for camera use.

According to SPD, research has found that departments using body cameras experience a decline in violence against officers, as well as the need for officers to use force. Moreover, footage from the cameras can be used as evidence against suspects, and help monitor the behavior of officers.

“The intent is to capture video of officer interactions. The footage can be used as evidence against suspects, and help monitor the behavior of officers,” stated SPD.

SPD cites a report by the U.S. Department of Justice that found the use of body-worn cameras “document a reduction in citizen complaints against the police and, in some cases, similar reductions in use of force and assaults on officers.”

So what about the cameras?

information from King County Metro

New green timetables, upcoming fare changes, adjusted bus schedules and revised customer service hours mark several changes for riders as King County Metro Transit shifts gears into spring service mode on Feb. 14.

Metro also will begin customized commuter shuttle Route 628 serving North Bend, the Snoqualmie Valley and Issaquah Highlands.

Metro makes service adjustments three times a year, revising some routes and schedules to operate more efficiently, improve travel times and better match bus service to ridership demand within available budgets.

A summary of planned route changes is posted online. Updated printed route schedules are available, and electronic schedules will be posted online Friday, Feb. 13. Until then, riders can plan trips online for dates after Feb. 14 in order to preview updated schedule information.

Route and schedule changes
Detailed route revisions for 16 routes and new route 628 are posted online (in button format or list format). Affected are routes 4, 7, 8, 48, 50, 55, 111, 114, 143, 193, 204, 212, 255, 303, 312, 628 and DART 913.

Thursday, Feb. 5
Boys basketball
Seattle Luth. 86, Ev. Luth. 53
Seattle Lutheran of West Seattle outgunned Evergreen Lutheran in Thursday action.

Girls basketball
Ev. Luth. 42, Seatle Luth. 28
Evergreen Lutheran got the best of the Saints on the girls side Thursday.

Diving
West Central District
Mount Rainier placed three divers in the top 10 at the West Central District competition held at the Curtis Aquatic Center on Thursday.
Nathan DaDalto scored 244.15 points for a third-place finish, while Peyton Conrad took sixth with 238.45 and Daniel Russell ninth with 210.05.

Wednesday, Feb. 4
Boys basketball
Kennedy 62, Evergreen 35
Kennedy Catholic of Burien prevailed over Evergreen of White Center in Wednesday's Seamount League season finale.
The Lancers finished first in the Seamount with a 14-0 record and improved to 18-2 overall and the Wolverines wound up fifth at 6-8.
Kennedy hosts Prairie for a 7 p.m. West Central District game Thursday and Evergreen is at SPSL 2A No. 3 at the same time.
Renton 67, Foster 37