The Vashon Pirates sent two of their own — Kelly Costello and Zelda Porter — to the June 2009 1A All State Game in Spokane last weekend.

Both players were named to the All Nisqually League first team this last season.

Costello and Porter have been first team All League three years in a row, and for the second time they have participated in the All State Game in Spokane.

The best girls from the West and East met on Saturday in a back-and-forth see-saw game that saw the East Squad pull away with four minutes to go and take the victory.

Both Costello, who made 10 points, and Porter, who scored 6, started the game for the West, which was coached by Seattle Christian state champion coach Bob Kickner. Both players made a fine showing at this annual classic.

Costello, a junior returning for her senior season next year, and Porter, who graduated June 13, have left their mark on the Vashon Island girls basketball program, leading their team to two state berths in the past two years.

It was a fitting way for these two colleagues to end their time playing together, coach Henry Porter said.

Meanwhile, dozens of Vashon basketball enthusiasts — from third-graders to high schoolers — are headed to Spokane this weekend for HoopFest, the largest three-on-three tournament in the world.

Sandy Tillman, who runs the Vashon Island Junior Basketball camp, said the Island is fielding at least 12 teams, the largest number ever. Some adults are planning to play, too, she said.

More than 2,600 teams are registered for the event, a three-day extravaganza when Spokane shuts down many of its streets to traffic and turns over the city to basketball.

“It’s a really big deal and just a ton of fun,” said Foss Miller, who’s coaching a team.

Tillman, who’s headed to Spokane both with her family and a team she’ll coach, agreed.

“It’s a great event,” she said.