Assistant Sports Editor
Adam Thaler
253-597-8512
athaler@theolympian.com
Sports Reporter
Meg Wochnick
360-754-5473
mwochnick@theolympian.com
FEDERAL WAY - Fifteen months ago, John Meyer walked into the pool area and asked if anyone was tired of swimming laps.
LACEY - Black Hills was unquestionably the surprise team in this year's Class 2A District IV boys basketball tournament, but when it was all said and done, River Ridge remained the champion.
LACEY - River Ridge coach Jeremy Landram credited a defensive change for his team's unlikely comeback Saturday, leading to the Hawks to a dramatic 58-57 win against North Thurston.
LACEY - It's hard to imagine the postgame locker room speech coach Tom Kelly gave to his River Ridge players after Friday night's 2A girls District IV tournament opening-round game at home against North Thurston.
PREPS: Schedules, stats and more
PREPS BLOG: Latest prep sports news
PHOTO GALLERY: River Ridge vs. North Thurston Girls Basketball
LACEY - When facing the River Ridge girls, there are many elements to the Hawks' game that leave opposing teams' hands full.
• GALLERY: River Ridge vs. Tumwater Girls Basketball Feb. 2011
• GALLERY: River Ridge vs. Tumwater Boys Basketball Feb. 2011
PREPS: Schedules, stats and more
PREPS BLOG: Latest prep sports news
LACEY - From paperwork and posters to publicity and props, South Sound teens are getting a taste of the professional theater business with "StudentWorks 18," opening Thursday at River Ridge High School.
• GALLERY: River Ridge High School play showcases' student-driven talents
LACEY - There was a similar refrain from the majority of the teams participating in Saturday's River Ridge Invitational.
LACEY - With half of the Class 2A Evergreen Conference boys basketball schedule in the books, it's hard to find a clear-cut favorite to win the league title.
TUMWATER - River Ridge girls basketball coach Tom Kelly immediately cringed, then proceeded to shake his head in disapproval when asked about his team's offense.
• Gallery: River Ridge vs. Tumwater Girls Basketball 2011
Continuing coverage: The Olympian's prep sports coverage
More preps: Prep Sports Blog
LACEY - It's too early in the basketball season for state rankings to mean a lot, but the River Ridge boys basketball team looked at its nonleague matchup against Class 4A Federal Way at the South Sound Classic as an opportunity to improve against a program that has been among the state's elite.
• Gallery: River Ridge vs. Federal Way Boys Basketball 2010