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.

Tourney Day!

As we get ready to lace 'em up around noon, here are a couple of quick tidbits about today's event:

• Doors open at 11:30am, with the introductions and tournament draw occurring at 12pm.
• There will be a table set up before you enter the gym where you can sign in, make the suggested minimum donation to contribute to the program, and get your tourney t-shirt. Details about the donation and t-shirt can be found here.
• If your family is coming out, there will be pizza available for $1 p/slice, and basketball activity stations for kids organized by the current Seagull players. The activity stations are free.
• Tourney format is double elimination, with each game lasting 20 minutes. Tourney rules will be posted at the scorers table for reference.
• Each game will be officiated by one Alumni and one current player; please refer to the Code of Conduct, and understand that by committing to play, you are also committing to adhere to those standards.

It should be another great year of action; see everyone around noon today!

Seagull Spotlight - Tom Niva

Once when he was interviewed about the characteristics a true shooter must possess, Boston Celtics great Larry Bird discussed many traits, but summed it up with one simple statement: “You never make any of the shots you never take”. While I can’t guarantee he ever read that quote, I can promise you once he stepped inside the 94x50, it was the mantra that Tom Niva lived by.

At 6’4”, the 1995 graduate was anything but your traditional “post” player. He was more than able to get his down low, but the excitement started every time he caught the ball behind the arc. That’s because if there was any glimmer of daylight between him and his defender, the ball was going up. And more likely than not, it was going in. The sharpshooting Niva combined with Jessen Schilaty to form a dynamic scoring combination, leading the 1995 team to a WesCo Championship and a 5^th place triumph at the State Tournament.

As his teammate, I saw a guy that had a bottomless bucket of confidenceJ Whether he was defending an opposing post player that was a half foot taller than him, or taking that aforementioned big man out to the perimeter so he could absolutely abuse him on the other end, he was fearless. It was an attitude that was infectious to the team, and created a level of internal belief and bravado that we couldn’t be touched.

This was personified in the Winner-to-State game against Cascade in the District Tournament. The Bruins had two 6’8” post players in Oregon State-signee Iyan Walker and future Alaska-Fairbanks post Mike Jones. Tom was Everett’s tallest player, and drew the assignment of the future Pac-10 standout. The two teams were engaged in a tight back and forth battle, when with 4:00 minutes left and the Gulls holding a two point lead, I witnessed the craziest thing I ever saw on a basketball court.

All I can recall was Kurt Koshelnik drove through traffic in the lane, and he dished to Tom, who was cutting in from the right wing. Between Niva and the basket was the 6’9” Walker, who was the WesCo equivalent of Dikembe Mutombo in the paint. Tom made one dribble, took off from just inside the block, and proceeded to dunk with authority over one of the most intimidating shot blockers on the West Coast. I lost my damn mind. I have never, and I mean NEVER – before or since – been that hyped on a basketball court. Tom Niva had never dunked before in a basketball game. Ever. And in typical Niva fashion, he had just done what seemed impossible, en route to helping lead us to a tourney berth that many thought was impossible. I absolutely loved playing with this dude.

So if you find yourself guarding Tom during the Alumni Tournament, and he’s got the ball and he’s posting you 20 feet from the basket, just know that shot’s going up. And just like 1995, more than likely it’s going in.

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EHS Alumni Basketball – What years did you participate in the Seagull basketball program?

Tom Niva – I participated in the Seagull program from 1991-1995

EHS AB – Before you were in high school, what events led to you knowing you wanted to play ball at Everett?

TN – My Mom was a Seagull and my brother Steve played basketball there. I remember going to games and watching Chris Chandler, David Vik and others growing up. My brother and I would play below the stands and Mr. Earl would always find my brother and I making trouble.

EHS AB – Tell us a little bit about the group of guys you grew up playing with.

TN – I grew up playing with a group at the Boy’s and Girls Club of Mukilteo. Some of that group ended up at Kamiak/Mariner and Cascade. Evergreen Middle School is where we had an excellent group that ended up constituting 3 of the 5 starters in the State Championship my senior year when we finished 5th in State. No one All Star more important than the rest, just a good group of players that understood their roles and talents.

EHS AB – What are some of your most unforgettable moments you recall from your playing days?

TN – Unforgettable Moments… There were many… But our winner to state game against Cascade is the first that comes to mind. Jessen Schilaty and I had career games with over 25 points each and I dunked on Ian Walker (All State Player) with 4 minutes left in the game. The other is losing to the eventual state champion Evergreen. Not our best game, but the best example of what Seagull Tradition is all about. We regrouped as a team and won the rest of our games to finish 5th. That’s what the tradition of Everett High is all about. No one ever thinks Everett High is going to win, except for those who are from Everett.

EHS AB – What was the best team you were a part of during your time at Everett High? What made you guys great?

TN – The best team was the Senior Season with some veteran leadership and young talent. What made us great? We were a TEAM> We had some fine players, but we were so unselfish and it was all about reaching our goals and not worrying about who else was out there. We truly, were not afraid of any team we played.

EHS AB – What opposing team do you recall having extraordinary battles with? How did you guys fare in those battles?

TN – Cascade was an obvious must win for us. The winner to state game was about as intense as it could get. Packing the house at Snohomish for the game with a standing room only, no seats were left. Any game at the Pit was also fantastic. Being able to build a large enough crowd to pull out the extra bleachers was money!

EHS AB – Who was the best player you recall going toe-to-toe with?

TN – The best players were Kyle Sweet from Snohomish and Ian Walker. Both 6’7 and 6’9 and excellent in the post. Good thing they were never comfortable around the 3 point line, which is where I had the most fun.

EHS AB – Who was the teammate you enjoyed playing with the most? How did that individual bring the best out of everyone else?

TN – I enjoyed playing with the entire group. If I had to pick one, it would Chuck Schelle. Chuck and I grew up playing with one another since age 6 in the Boy’s Club Days. We played at Evergreen Middle School together and through High school. Chuck was completely unselfish and understood his role on the team and made the big shots when he had to. He had a HUGE fan following from many of the EHS fans which also made for a big boost in support. Just good people like Chuck that make teams like ours click.

EHS AB – Can you recall the most memorable game you played in as a Seagull? What makes that game stand out?

TN – Again, I’ll go back to the Cascade winner to state game. The pressure, the noise and the Team all playing for each other make that win as special as they come.

EHS AB – Looking back on your experience, what traits were you able to take with you to help forge the person you’ve become?

TN – You know, there’s just something about being from Everett and specifically going to Everett High that gives me a sense of responsibility to act in a certain way. Having Darrell Olson as my coach in multiple sports helped teach me that. There will always be a pride in what I do and how I do it that comes from not only my family, but what I do and will always do will represent Everett High School in the best way I can. Being in management now for over 12 years, I continue to reference our 1995 EHS team as a group that didn’t have the best talent, but were definitely the best Team. That’s what EHS will always stand for to me.

EHS AB – If you could give the current group of Seagull basketball players any advice, what would you tell them?

TN – I’ve watched some games over the past couple of years and it’s more than just advice to the team. I think the spark that made EHS Basketball great is more than just talent on the court, it’s the community that backs them. All it takes is having a good group of kids that are committed to excellence and being the best. Advice: Manage the process of being great today… And then again tomorrow. “Winning is not a 1 time thing, but an all the time thing”. Expect the best from the team and the fans, and you’ll find success.

Alumni Spotlight - Ross Rettenmier

When I was around 8 years old, I feel in love with the game of basketball. This love came from experiencing the game in many different facets and venues. I played games with my second grade squad at the Everett Boys and Girls Club. My mom started letting me walk to Whittier Elementary to shoot hoops by myself, where I pretended I was Dale Ellis, Xavier McDaniel, or Tom Chambers hitting game winners. I went to Sonics’ games at the old Coliseum, and remember watching the Soups play against the “Showtime” Lakers with Magic, Kareem, and Worthy with chants of “BEAT LA!” echoing throughout the arena.

But above all, what cemented my love for the game was the getting the opportunity to watch my uncle Larry Harris (EHS Class of ’78) compete in various Pro-Am leagues and tournaments throughout Snohomish County. I worshipped my uncle, and the guys he played with, because it looked like so much fun to compete at such a high level. It was around this time that I saw Ross Rettenmier play hoop for the first time.

While it was a joy to watch my 6’7” uncle compete in his athletic prime, I was blown away by the game that Ross had. He was probably around 30 years old at the time, and while he was still playing above the rim, I was drawn into the endless array of post moves he possessed. He simply dominated everyone he went up against. So I started asking my uncle questions about him, and over time started picking up tidbits on his background. Like that he had gone to Everett High. And that he was the cornerstone of the 1975 team that went 27-2 and placed 2nd in the State Tournament (Picture above right is from State Title game at Hec Ed vs. Lincoln HS). And that he went on to star at Gonzaga. And that he was the best big man my uncle had ever competed against.

December 31st, 1987, my uncle took me to my first EHS Alumni Basketball Tournament, where I got to watch the ’75 team play together for the first time. Watching the camaraderie these guys had, coupled with how hard they competed…it opened my eyes for the first time to what it meant to play Seagull Basketball. As I left “The Pit” that day, I walked down the hallway that is home to the framed pictures of the greatest teams in Seagull history. And there was the 1975 team. Studying their team photo and the other pictures and trophies littered throughout that hallway, it was then that I knew I wanted to play Seagull Basketball. Even though I wasn’t alive when they were making their mark, Ross and the 1975 team had made a lasting impact on me. Simply put, they are the best team that Everett Basketball has produced in the last 70+ years, and the standard of what success is both on and off the court.

Ross was kind enough to share his thoughts on his experiences playing Seagull basketball, the guys he grew up with that were part of that squad, and the impact that Head Coach Joey Richer had on his life:

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EHS Alumni Basketball – What years did you participate in the Seagull basketball program?

Ross Rettenmier – I had the privilege of playing for two great coaches - Norm Lowery as a sophomore and Joe Richer as a junior/senior. I was probably the #12 guy on the freshman team for Charlie Cobb. Lucky to make the team. Craig McLennan (the head football coach) was the jayvee coach and I split varsity/jayvee time my sophomore and junior years playing in a program that had subs who could start on many of the teams we played.

EHS AB – Before you were in high school, what events led to you knowing you wanted to play ball at Everett?

RR – Like many Everett High bound kids, I thought that playing for EHS would be the equivalent of playing in the NBA. I went to some games and was in awe. Later, as a freshman, I brought a ball to school every day and played before and after school. I remember thinking I'd died and gone to heaven when senior sharp-shooter Tom Kingshot (class of 72) shot hoops with me one morning. Playing for Everett was thought to be the ultimate honor.

EHS AB – Tell us a little bit about the group of guys you grew up playing with.

RR – Unlike the guys I played with as a senior, I didn't play any organized ball until my freshman year. Never played on a real team until then. I played intramurals at South Junior/Port Gardner and was exposed to a high level of player in Mike Collord who was scoring in the 20's and 30's as a 6th, 7th and 8th grader. Those guys(Mike Collord, Don Levin, Tom Rife) played all over with the Boys Club and guys at Immaculate (Jerry Barhanovich and Dave Duffy) were playing in CYO league. I came to the game really late and then couldn't get enough. It was all I did in my free time for most of my high school years.

EHS AB – What are some of your most unforgettable moments you recall from your playing days?

RR – There were so many, but a couple that stand out were the crowd at the district game against Anacortes which was played at Cascade to a standing room only crowd. My older brother couldn't get in and had to listen on the radio in the parking lot. We were down by 10 with 2 minutes to play and came roaring back to put the game in overtime. Incidentally, that was without the benefit of 3-pointers. While we ended up losing the game, I'll never forget that crowd! The other strong and impactful memory was when we returned to Everett after the loss to Lincoln of Tacoma. The station wagons carrying team and coaches came back a different way, going down Colby instead of Wetmore. As we approached EHS block, we saw a huge crowd filling the area around the auditorium. The bus stopped and we soaked up the cheers from the fans who had watched us through our memorable season. Incredible!

EHS AB – What was the best team you were a part of during your time at Everett High?

RR – I played at Everett during some real glory years. We won conference and went to state each of the four years I was there. I got to watch some great teams from the bench and then play on the most successful team in the 35 years after the 1940 team. We went 23-0 before losing in overtime at district to the team (Anacortes) that we then beat them in the regionals (in another great game). We went on to finish 27-2, losing in the championship game to a really strong Lincoln of Tacoma team that featured Steve Matzen who went on to play and captain at UW.

EHS AB – What opposing team do you recall having extraordinary battles with? How did you guys fare in those battles?

RR – We had very few close games through league. Our really epic battles were against Anacortes (splitting) and a really good Blanchet team to win conference. Our semi-final game against University High of Spokane was really tough and I actually thought they were a better team than Lincoln.

EHS AB – Who was the best player you recall going toe-to-toe with?

RR – Definitely that would be Gary Nelson, a three year starter at Anacortes who ended up going to Oregon. At 6'9" he was that tallest and toughest. Ironically, he was being recruited by Gonzaga and the GU coach came to watch him one last time when we played Anacortes and I ended up being the one they ultimately pursued. (Though going to Oregon was a bigger deal than Gonzaga back then)

EHS AB – Who was the teammate you enjoyed playing with the most? How did that individual bring the best out of everyone else?

RR – I can only say that each of the guys that I played with my senior year was great. We had an uncommon chemistry. Most of us were good friends and have stayed that way. Our two captains, Mike Collord and Jerry Barhanovich were amazing leaders. Joe Richer inspired us to be our best and the most fun we had was when we had run up a big lead and everyone played.

EHS AB – Can you recall the most memorable game you played in as a Seagull? What makes that game stand out?

RR – That would definitely be the state championship game against Lincoln. We had a 6 point lead going into the 4th quarter and were within 1 with about a minute to go. It was a hard fought game with great coaches strategically battling too. Jerry Barhanovich set the tournament assist record (later topped by Carl Ervin of Cleveland) and Mike Collord set the single game assist record - and it still stands today!

EHS AB – Looking back on your experience, what traits were you able to take with you to help forge the person you’ve become?

RR – It's really hard to separate the traits that were taken from my EHS experience from other maturing experiences that have shaped who I am. I learned that hard work and preparation are essential to success. I learned that team is number one. I learned to value experiences with people. Joe Richer is no longer with us. He was an incredible person who gave a number of young men one of the best experiences of their lives to that point.

EHS AB – If you could give the current group of Seagull basketball players any advice, what would you tell them?

RR – Enjoy it! Put your teammates ahead of yourself. Try to play each game like it's your last.