Register for adult slow-break BB

The popular Adult Slow-Break Basketball League in Maple Valley is just around the corner. Teams are encouraged to register early as the only first 8 teams will be accepted.

The league begins on March 2 and runs through May 25. Games will be played at Tahoma Junior High School on Friday evenings. The league fee is $575 and includes a new state imposed sales tax.

The average age is about 40 and special rules limit the fast breaks but this fun league still provides a good workout. Included in the fee are 7 league games, stats, post-season tournament, awards, officials scoreboard w/scorekeeper and the gym. Applications and more details are available at the city of Maple Valley website listed below.

Want to play but don’t have a team? Anyone interested joining the player’s pool with hopes of being added to a forming team should call the Maple Valley Parks & Recreation office at 425-432-9953 or complete the form at www.maplevalleywa.gov

For more details and other new adult athletic programs please watch the Voice of the Valley and check the City of Maple Valley website.

Maple Valley Parks & Recreation Department - 425-432-9953.

Bears Lose Close at Home

By: Dylan Whitcher

After upsetting a tough Mt. Rainier basketball team, it was the Bears who found themselves being upset. The Bears hadn’t played a basketball game in two weeks due to the high amounts of snow. The Bears faltered late and lost close to Auburn Riverside.

With only five games remaining in the schedule, the Bears started out hot from the field. After seemingly swapping buckets with the Ravens, Tahoma was ahead by two at the end of the opening quarter by a score of 13-11.

The second quarter started much like the first, with two half-court offenses slowly dictating the game. Both teams held their turnovers to a minimum and the game was fairly clean. The Bears small lead could not hold and by halftime the score was tied at 26 apiece.

The game remained close as the third quarter ended, with both teams swapping baskets on offense. Defense was beginning to take over as both teams found it harder to score near the end of the third quarter. Nevertheless, Tahoma took a one-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter took a turn for the worst as their slim fourth quarter lead vanished. Tahoma’s offense was non-existent and they were only able to put up a game worst, eight fourth quarter points.

With the exception of Sophomore Coleman Wooten, who scored a game high 23 points and Junior Dominic Smith with 11, Tahoma was unable to find offense when they needed offense the most. The final score of the game was, Auburn Riverside Ravens 52, Tahoma Bears 48.

The Ravens were able to avenge their 19-point loss to Tahoma from Dec 16.

With only two double-digit scorers, the Bears in league record dip south of the .500 mark at 5-6. Tahoma is currently on the outside looking in for the fourth and final playoff spot with only five games remaining.

Bears Early Start Propels Them to Victory

Your Tahoma Bears returned home on Jan. 28 and looked to bounce back from their two-point loss just two days before as they took on the Kentridge Chargers.

The winner would be tied with Kentlake for fourth place in the SPSL North playoffs.

Both Tahoma and Kentridge came out on fire on offense, effortlessly knocking down shot after shot.

It was apparent the Chargers game plan was to stop Sophomore Coleman Wooten from scoring as he was constantly harassed by Kentridge defenders. Three-point specialist, Junior Ethan McCormack filled the void, nailing three after three.

By the end of the first quarter the score was knotted up at 16.

The second quarter began and Tahoma started to separate themselves. Tough defense led to easy buckets for the Bears at the other end, as Tahoma started to make a run.

The Chargers were left looking for answers as the tie ball game quickly turned into a seven-point advantage for the Bears. By halftime the score was Tahoma Bears 29, Kentridge Chargers 22.

Kentridge was able to get a little offense going as the third quarter began; however for the most part were held at bay. The Bears offense came out white hot, putting up a team high 17 third quarter points.

Late in the third quarter the Chargers began to knock down key shots to keep the game close. Heading into the final quarter of play Tahoma’s lead however, had grown to 10.

Throughout the fourth quarter it was apparent that the Bears were playing not to lose, rather than to win.

Their offense was stagnant and their defense lackluster. The Chargers posted 20 of their 56 total points in the fourth quarter.

Thankfully for the Bears, the Chargers run was too little too late as Tahoma squeaked past Kentridge by three points, 59-56.

McCormack added a season high 21 points while Junior Paul Loranger dropped in 13. Sophomore standout, Coleman Wooten was held to just seven points.

Bears Playoff Chances Take Huge Hit

Tuesday Jan. 31, your Tahoma Bears traveled to Kent to take on the first place Kent-Meridian Royals.

Back on Jan. 3 the Bears shocked the conference as they upset the heavily favored Royals by two points.

This time the Bears stuck with the Royals punch for punch during the first quarter, matching each made shot by Kent-Meridian. Tahoma was even able to scrape out a one-point lead as the first quarter came to a close by a score of 10-9.

Tahoma’s offense struggled out of the gate as the second quarter began, only able to put up seven points. However, the Bears defense came up huge, holding the Royals to just 12.

The Royals lead very well should have grown to double digits as they were clearly outhustling and outplaying the Bears. By halftime Kent-Meridian only held a four point lead.

The Bears offense awoke from the dead and was soon beginning to take over the game as the second half began.

The Royals were unimpressed. As they too were scoring at will.

Even with the Bears offense firing on all cylinders, they saw their deficit grow as the quarter ended. Entering the fourth quarter Kent-Meridian held a five-point advantage.

Like in prior games, Tahoma’s offense quickly turned anemic in the fourth, only being able to muster up two baskets for the rest of the game.

To make matters worse, the Royals high-powered offense began rolling.

A once close game quickly turned into a blowout.

As the final seconds ticked off the clock, Tahoma was sent home searching for answers. The Bears only had one scorer in double figures and only five scorers for the entire game. Sophomore Coleman Wooten led both teams with 17.

With the loss Tahoma is now tied with Kentlake for fifth place in the SPSL North and is a half game back of Kentridge for fourth place.

If the Bears wish to make the playoffs for the first time in three long seasons, they must win out in the final three games of the season. Tahoma’s home games are finished, as they will be on the road for the final three games.

Despite the loss, there are still multiple ways for the Bears to make the playoffs. They may no longer control their own fate but all they can do is handle their business on the court and hope for the best as the season winds down to a close.