By JAMES NORTON
For The Beachcomber
The Pirate boys varsity basketball team is off to a hot start and is currently undefeated through five games.
The team has high aspirations for this season and is one of the top 1A teams in the state. Coach Andy Sears has put a team with strong leadership and ability on the floor, paced by four-year starters and seniors Jessie Norton and Ian Stewart, two-year returning starter junior Sam Yates, and returning starters senior Darrin May-Power and junior Sam Schoenberg. Key reserves are senior Steen Jennings, junior Alex Symbol, sophomore Caspar Forrest, junior Josh Tillman, junior Sean Delargy, and junior Edgar Polkat.
In Vashon’s first game of the season on Dec. 3 against Granite Falls, Vashon won 74-42.
The Pirates had a balanced scoring attack with three players in double figures. Effective team defensive pressure and rebounding were keys to the win with several players contributing. Scoring totals: Norton 18, Yates 18, Forrest 12, Jennings 8, Schoenberg 7, Tillman 4, Symbol 4, Stewart 2, May-Power 1.
The next day at home, Vashon defeated Sultan 63-38.
The Pirates jumped all over the Turks from Sultan with a swarming full court press led by senior guard, Ian Stewart. The pressure blew this one open early. Scoring totals: Norton 23, Forrest 13, Yates 10, Stewart 8, Schoenberg 3, Delargy 3, Symbol 2, Tillman 1.
On Dec. 6, Vashon Island defeated Kennedy High School 51-50 at the Tip Off Classic at Auburn Riverside High School.
This was a big test for the Pirates, playing against a very tough and undefeated 3A division school. The Pirates trailed up until the final seconds, but finished off the Lancers with huge buckets and defensive stops down the stretch, capped by two clutch free throws by Norton with 7 seconds to go for the win. Norton was named Player of the Game. Scoring totals: Norton 32, Yates 12, Symbol 4, Forrest 2, Schoenberg 1.
On Dec. 13, Vashon defeated Hazen High School, 54-44, at Highline Community College.
Hazen came in undefeated and with a highly touted line-up complete with a D1 recruit signed to play at Arizona State. The Pirates were more than equal to the challenge and exploded to a 21-7 first quarter lead paced by Norton with 17 points in the quarter. Things tightened up a bit in the second half, but the boys showed a high level of team trust and finished strong. Norton also added nine rebounds and was again named player of the game. Scoring totals: Norton 29, Yates 9, Schoenberg 6, Stewart 4, May-Power 4, Symbol 2.
On Dec. 16, Vashon defeated Seattle Academy, 48-38, at home.
The Pirates faced a scrappy 1A state contender from last year in this game. It was a hard-fought contest, but by sheer force of will and determination, the Pirates outlasted the challenge and got the win. The Green Tide was definitely in and loud, which provided a home court advantage that is crucial. The players and coaches very much appreciate all the support. Scoring totals: Norton 23, Stewart 8, Schoenberg 6, Symbol 4, Delargy 2, Forrest 2, May-Power 2, Yates 1.
The next home game is at 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, against St. Michael’s University School of British Columbia.
— James Norton is the father of a Pirate basketball player.
