Alumni Eve

Sam Nunez ('98) has just arrived after making the three hour trek from Portland.  Paul Swanson and Vesna Sophan ('03) are likely blowing up the cell phones of Adam Moore and Pat Mattson trying to lock down their attendance, ensuring that their class is the legitimate favorite to take home the crown.  Byron Lewellen ('96) has his son rebounding as he pumps up 10,000 jumpers tonight.  The Class of '75 may be  having a slumber party at Screen Printing Northwest as they map out the game plan to beat down the young bucks.    Shean Nasin ('92) is getting in his pre-game stretch right about now, gearing up to show the young kids what a true PG is.  Yes, it's Everett High School Alumni Tourney Eve.

The action starts tomorrow (12/31) at noon.  Because of construction, be sure to enter the gym from the Rockefeller Ave entrance.  While we'll review it before play commences tomorrow, below is the Code of Conduct for the tournament.  It is expected that each participant will follow these guidelines, and will be an example of sportsmanship and brotherhood for alumni and current EHS players alike.  If you have any questions about the Code of Conduct or the tournament, please don't hesitate to contact me at 425.314.7983.

I look forward to seeing you all tomorrow...Go Gulls!

Bobby Thompson

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Everett High School Alumni Basketball Tournament

Code of Conduct

Mission Statement - To celebrate and positively promote the legacy and tradition of Everett Seagull basketball through the spirit of competition.

Welcome to the Everett High School Alumni Basketball Tournament! As former Seagull players, it was commonly relayed by our coaches that putting on the uniform and competing was a privilege, not a right. Through this lesson, we've all had experiences that collectively bring us together each New Year's Eve to commemorate the wonderful heritage of Everett High School basketball. To this end, it needs to be understood that our ability to play in this annual tournament is a privilege, not a right. Our behavior not only represents our respective graduating classes, but is on display to the current group of Seagull players who look up to the collective example we're setting. More importantly, with friends, family and children in attendance, it needs to be understood that we need to model exemplary behavior.

With this in mind, we require that each player adhere to the following code of conduct.

Each player shall:

• Display sportsmanship, and agree to compete in a manner that exhibits integrity and honesty.
• Adhere to rule decisions made by tournament organizers.
• Respect and abide by a fellow player or official's decision, and agree to refrain from verbal or physical demonstrations against a decision.
• Abstain from using profanity or other disrespectful language.
• Refrain from using unnecessary rough tactics during game play against an opposing player.
• Demonstrate respect for players, coaches, and fellow alumni.

If any player is found to be in violation of any of the aforementioned requirements, Tournament Organizers will require that the player leave the facility immediately.

How Can We Support the EHS Basketball Program?

With the Alumni Tournament only 5 days away, it’s worthy to check in with a couple of bits of information pertaining to both the event and the current program.  First off, the Everett Seagulls will be in action this Thursday night at “The Pit” against Lynnwood in a non-conference tilt.  The varsity game begins at 7:15pm.  If you haven’t had a chance to see the team battle, it would be a worthy way to spend your Thursday evening, so get out and support the Gulls! 

In regards to the Alumni Tournament, I would like to take a moment to remind all participants that we will be requiring a minimum donation of $5 to play.  This amount will get you a tournament t-shirt, and also will offset costs incurred by Blue and Gold for facility usage from the Everett School District.  More importantly, any proceeds that are remaining after meeting the facility cost expense will go directly towards the ASB account for the Boy’s Basketball Program.  Currently the account level is very low and in need of our support.  This fund is utilized by Coach Richer to purchase necessary supplies for his staff/players, to enter the team in spring and summer leagues/tournaments, and will hopefully be a source to help provide current and future players the opportunity to attend summer team camp. 

As was stated at last year’s tournament, this is our opportunity as program alumni to give back financially to a program that has collectively given so much to us in terms of experiences and life lessons.  So while we appreciate whatever each individual is able to provide, it’s my hope that each of us is willing to go beyond the minimum donation level and contribute an amount that can help make a tangible difference as the program moves forward.

To this end, I’m attaching a letter that was created by the Alumni Committee prior to the current season to help solicit support for Coach Richer's program.  The letter was then signed by many former players, including a great number of father/son combinations that have helped contribute to the legacy of Everett High School Basketball.  It is this tradition that has helped create the historic foundation of our program, and can help provide the support to help that tradition grow and flourish over time for current and future Seagull players. 

Hope to see you all at the game this Thursday night, and that you’re all able to participate in the Alunmi Tourney this coming Monday (12/31 @ noon).

Alumni Letter

It's That Time Again!

Let’s get this blog fired up again!  December is upon us, meaning that it’s time to get back in the gym to work that rust off our jumpers and build up some cardio.  The 2012 EHS Alumni Basketball Tournament is only 3 weeks away! 

This is the annual opportunity for Seagull Basketball alums to come back to “The Pit” and lace up the sneakers for few hours of competition and camaraderie with fellow players from the past several decades of Everett Basketball.  But while many of the logistics surrounding the tourney are the same (tourney will take place December 31^st starting at 2pm at “The Pit”), this year’s gathering will certainly have a special feel to the festivities.

First off, this will be the last edition of the Alumni Tourney to take place at “The Pit” in its current formation.  Following the completion of the current basketball season, renovation activities will commence on the facility.  The project – detailed here by The Herald – will see the gym’s configuration shifted from a north-south orientation to an east-west configuration.  The new design will make for a first class facility that will include seating on all four sites of the court. 

While these exciting upgrades are welcomed by students, teachers, and alums alike, it means this will likely be the last time many of us play on the court that carried so much meaning to us over the years, and was home to some of the greatest moments in Seagull Basketball history.  So getting everyone together for this event will be a special time for all that have enjoyed this facility and been a part of its legacy.

Additionally, there’s surely a positive current of change within the Everett Basketball Program.  With new coach John Richer at the help, this season’s squad is currently 2-3, and is playing an extremely competitive and entertaining brand of basketball.  There is a level of commitment and passion from the current group of players that is evident as they compete.  If you are unable to catch a game this season, but sure to get to the gym early on the 31^st, as Coach Richer will be leading his team through a scrimmage in the moments leading up to the Alumni Tourney (more details on this in the coming days).  What will be palpable from the moment you walk in the door is that John and his staff are building a foundation of hard work and commitment throughout the program that translates to a product we can collectively support with pride.

In the coming days, I will provide more details about the tournament, share some information about the current Seagulls’ squad, will reminisce about EHS players of yesteryear, and will also provide ways and suggestions that we can provide support for the program.

Most of all, I look forward to seeing you all on the 31^st.  So free up your schedules and plan to come through! 

I’ll leave you with an image of a player that was not only one of the better all-around players that has come through EHS in the last 20 years, but a guy that undoubtedly had the best in-game hair in school history: Joshua Daniels, Class of ’01.  If you had better in-game style than this cat, send the pic to bobthompson78@gmail.com and we'll give you the love you deserve!



2011 Tourney Champs: The '06-'07 Gulls!

While the old mantra that “defense wins championships” may ring true throughout the duration of a season, it doesn’t hurt to have some offensive firepower in your repertoire. The latter certainly proved true this past Saturday. The lights-out shooting of Jake Mattson and Bryce Levin, combined with dominate post play from David Safstrom and some late game heroics by Brian Barhanovich, led the ’06-’07 Gulls to an undefeated championship run through the 2011 EHS Alumni Basketball Tournament, culminated by a 36-33 victory over the ’91-’97 team.

Mattson could not be contained in the 20-minute championship game, hitting 4 three-pointers in the first 5 minutes as his squad jumped out to a 15-4 lead. The resilient guard play of Jessen Schilaty and Shean Nasin helped the ’91-’97 team fight back to make the game competitive late, but in playing their sixth game in a four hour period the old guys simply ran out of gas.

The highlight of the day came in the semifinals. With the score deadlocked between ’06-’07 and the pre-tourney favorite ’03 team, the 6’3” Barhanovich banked in a 25 footer as time expired, sending a roar through “The Pit” as the spectators in attendance went bananas.

1st Place – ’06-’07
2nd Place – ’91-‘97
3rd Place – ‘03
4th Place – Pre ‘90

With the 2011 Tourney in the books, thanks need to be given to the many individuals and entities that made the tournament a success. The EHS Blue & Gold Club – specifically Ross Rettenmier, Ross Johnson, and Allan White – were instrumental to the event’s success. They secured the facility, provided the insurance coverage necessary to allow the event to occur, participated in the planning process, and were a huge help in coordinating the event day responsibilities (thanks to Jane Johnson, Betsy Johnson, and Kelly Cooper for helping run the sign-up table and concessions).

The tournament t-shirts were a huge hit; special thanks are in order to Dave Rucker, who single-handedly spearheaded this task by ordering the shirts, selecting the design, and by working with H&L Sports and Screen Printing Northwest to make the shirts a reality.

Special thanks to EHS Head Coach Aaron Nations and the entire Boy’s Basketball Program. The players were in attendance all day, and were responsible for gym set-up and clean up, as well as scorekeeping and officiating. With the officiating piece, the players really wanted to step up and ref the games without the assistance of Alums, because they felt that it was their duty to give that to the Alums. It was their “rite of passage” moment, just as many of the players participating had when we were in the program. While they weren’t perfect with their calls (what official is?), it was a great learning moment for them, and their efforts are much appreciated.

Lastly, a big thank you to all that attended and participated. Through the contributions gained throughout the day, event proceeds will allow B&G to contribute nearly $500 to the Boy’s Basketball Program. I’m proud that we were all able to come out, celebrate the program through competition, and give back financially in a way that help the viability of the program moving forward.

It’s a wrap! With the renovation of “The Pit” scheduled to commence in the Spring of 2012, we are currently searching for other viable locations for the 2012 tournament (Maybe here?). So stay tuned for updates in the coming months; see you all December 31, 2012.