Sports - High Schools

POSTED: Saturday, Nov. 07, 2009

PREP NOTEBOOK: Storm's Stackhouse to miss senior season after shoulder surgeries

Squalicum boys' basketball senior guard Keith Stackhouse, the Storm's leading scorer during the 2008-09 season and the Most Valuable Player of the 2009 Class 2A State Tournament, will not play for the team this season because of a pair of shoulder injuries, coach Dave Dickson said in a phone interview.

"Keith will still be a part of the team, supporting the guys that he has grown up with," Dickson said. "But it looks like he won't be able to play for us this year. I feel bad for Keith that he won't be able to make those memories on the court during his senior year."

The Storm already was aware that it would be without Stackhouse for part of the season after he underwent shoulder surgery in August after injuring his left shoulder during an AAU game this summer. Dickson said normal recovery time from the surgery is about six months, meaning Stackhouse hoped to be back for most of the Northwest Conference season and to help Squalicum in the postseason as it attempts to defend its 2A state title.

But as Stackhouse started to prepare for the upcoming season, he began to realize something wasn't right his healthy shoulder and had it examined. He told Dickson that he had a torn labrum in his right shoulder, and surgery is planned to repair it, ending hopes that he could play this season.

Stackhouse was one of four Storm players to average in double figures last year (16.6 points per game in 27 games). The other three - seniors Derek Dickerson, Patrick Voeut and Michael Greene - all are expected to be back, along with a number of other talented young players.

"No doubt we're going to miss Keith," Dickson said. "He's a great kid and a great player. Fortunately, I've got a few of them on my team. One man's loss is another man's gain, and we feel there is now an opportunity for some other guys to step up and help us."

BOWERS ENTERS HALL

Former Bellingham wrestler Rick Bowers was inducted into the Washington State Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame on Saturday, Nov. 7. Bowers graduated from Bellingham in 1968 and was coached by current Hall member George Yonlick.

Bowers went on to coach at Warden, leading the Cougars to seven state championships in his 29 seasons, including four straight 1A/B titles from 2003-06.

The induction ceremony took place at the Yakima Convention Center. Also inducted were Rockey Isley (coach at Olympia), Darryl Smith (Olympic), Bill Stout (Peninsula) and Gaylor Strand (Yelm).

AFTERNOON FOOTBALL

The Nooksack Valley football team's Class 1A tri-district playoff game against the West Central District's No. 3 seed will be held at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at Civic Stadium in Bellingham.

The early start time was necessary because the field already was booked to host Sehome's first-round game in the Class 2A Girls' Soccer State Tournament at 6 p.m.

Meridian will have to travel south for its tri-district playoff game against the West Central's No. 2 seed on Tuesday.

ACADEMIC CHAMPS

The Bellingham volleyball team won the Class 2A Academic State Championship with a team grade-point average of 3.864, according a release from the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association. The Red Raiders were the only Whatcom County team to win an academic title this fall.

Bellingham did not qualify for the Class 2A Northwest District Volleyball Tournament and finished the season with a 1-13 record overall.

STORM SWIMMER HONORED

Squalicum's Rylie Martin was selected the WIAA/Seattle Times Athlete of the Week for the week of Oct. 18 after she successfully qualified for the Class 2A State Meet in every swimming event.

Martin is the second Storm swimmer to win the award this fall, following teammate Camorah King, who won the award for the week of Sept. 28.

BASKETBALL CAMP

Just in time for the start of basketball practice on Nov. 16, Squalicum High School will play host to an NBC Camp on Nov. 14.

The camp, which will be taught by NBC Intensity Camp Director Jay Crowell and NBC Auburn Pure Shooting Director Jacob Washburn, will be broken down into morning and afternoon segments.

The morning Total Skills session (9 a.m. to noon), which costs $39, teaches ball handling and speed and quickness with live action drills. The afternoon Real Game Prep session (1-4 p.m.), which costs $49, will teach skill work, attacking the basket and finishing and mastering the pick and roll. The combo price for both sessions is $79.

Participants should bring a basketball, their basketball gear and a sack lunch. Register online at nbccamps.com or call 1-800-406-3926.