Local high school players could suit up for last time

Seniors from around the county will take to the court one last time Saturday.

At least as opponents.

About 20 boys and 26 girls will represent four basketball squads at Skagit Valley College for the eighth annual senior games. The game will be the last chance for students to represent their high schools and could be many of the players’ last organized basketball game ever, said Tony Tewalt, recreations coordinator for Skagit County Parks and Recreation.

“It gives people in the community a chance to honor the seniors one last time,” he said.

The two games — one for boys and one for girls — are co-organized by parks and recreation and the Skagit Valley Herald, with the newspaper dividing the teams’ players evenly, Tewalt said.

“It’s still somewhat of a crap shoot,” he said. “If you have multiple kids from a school, they’ll be going against their teammates and that makes it fun.”

In addition to the basketball double-header, there will be a 3-point and slam-dunk contest beginning at 5 p.m.

Burlington-Edison senior Jake Anderson said he plans on participating in the dunk contest.

“I’ll do a little show,” said Anderson, a 6-foot-6-inch guard/forward for the Tigers. The game comes two weeks after the Burlington-Edison boys’ team placed second at state.

Sedro-Woolley senior Ethan Brown said he’s looking forward to playing one last contest with players he’s grown up facing on the court. He said he’s played against many of the Burlington-Edison and Mount Vernon seniors since about fourth grade.

Brown said he’ll try to get involved with the 3-point contest as well.

“I’m excited that they picked me to play,” said Brown, the Cubs’ starting point guard the past few seasons. “We’ve grown up with each other and have been competitors against each other for a long time. We’ve just grown up throughout the different stages of our basketball careers.”

The senior games have taken place since 2001.

The girls’ contest begins at 6 p.m. and the boys’ game will be at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the event are $5 for adults, $3 for students and seniors, while children 10 and under are free.

For more information, contact the Skagit County Parks and Recreation department at 360-336-9414.