The Ballard High School gymnasium was packed on Friday night. The Beavers hosted the Roosevelt Roughriders for the girls and boys varsity games as well as a special jersey retirement ceremony for BHS alumna Sue Stimac Verduin.

The girls were up first and played hard but came up short in the end. Roosevelt took an eight-point-lead in the first quarters and consistently added to that lead despite efforts from the Ballard team. Seniors Elena DeWeese and Theresa Moriarty lead the team with 13 and 11 points respectively. The final score was 36 to 49.

The Ballard boys team came out strong against Roosevelt taking a six-point-lead in the first quarter and building on that lead throughout the game. The Roughriders were unable to make a comeback and the Beavers won 60 to 39. Sophomore Stu MacGeorge lead the way with 17 points and Junior Brad Baker had a season high of nine assists.

Both varsity teams are off until Friday when they host Bothell.

In between the two varsity games, the Ballard High School Basketball program retired Sue Stimac Verduin's #15 jersey in a small retirement ceremony. Verduin is the first female basketball player to receive this honor.

Verduin played varsity basketball at BHS from 1975 to 1978, received honors for both league and region, and was Student Athlete of the year in 1978. She also played varsity tennis and was the first to compete at the state tournament during her senior year.

She continued her athletic career at Seattle University where she played varsity basketball until 1982. She received All–American honors during her junior and senior seasons and was Student Athlete of the year 1981. Her #33 jersey was retired and she was inducted into the SU Hall of Fame.

“It’s nice to receive that recognition,” Sue Stimac Verduin said in a previous interview. “I’m proud of my school to recognize female players.”