Football coach Mike Shepard, who was let go by Kentlake in December, is back in the game once again.
Shepard, who spent four years at the helm of the Kentlake program, recently joined the football coaching staff at Enumclaw High, where he will oversee the defensive line and assist with the offensive line.
“In the last couple weeks (during passing camps), I have learned that there are a lot of ways to do the job,” Shepard said. “If there’s a silver lining to the cloud, it’s that I am reinvigorated.”
Shepard posted a 14-26 record at Kentlake. The Falcons missed the postseason by a single win in each of the last two seasons. While Shepard will assist at Enumclaw, he will continue to teach AP History, AP Government, and AP Psychology at Kentlake.
“The nice thing is, it’s a short commute,” Shepard noted. “I am enjoying myself a great deal.”

BASEBALL
KENT PARKS PRO BASEBALLCAMP
This camp for players ages 8-13 is set for Aug. 16-19 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. each day at Wilson Playfields on Kent’s East Hill. It will include instruction in throwing, hitting and fielding, with game situations and scrimmaging, all under the direction of former pro player and Atlanta Braves scout Steve Goucher. The cost is $129. More information: Kent Parks at (253) 856-5000.
TRIPLE PLAY BASEBALL CLUB
Players ages 12-18 with a passion for baseball and a desire to take their game to the next level are invited to a workout with Triple Play baseball Club. More information: (253) 249-9359.
SHARP BASEBALL DEVELOPMENT
Athletes are being accepted for upcoming programs. Private and group lessons in hitting and advanced infield, as well as strength and conditioning programs are available. More information: (425) 306-0814.
EVERGREEN STATE SPORTS
Team facility rental requests are being accepted. Options include rental only, or team training provided by Coach Embery. Limited time slots are available. More information on all of the above is available by contacting Coach Embery at (253) 218-9713.
BASEBALL JAZZ
Professional lessons, camps and coaches clinics are being offered by former Atlanta Braves scout Steve Goucher and the Jazz staff. More information: (206) 230-9011, or online at www.baseballjazz.com, or e-mail to goucher15@hotmail.com.

BASKETBALL
KENT PARKS JUNIOR HOOPSTERS PROGRAM
This instructional program is for boys and girls entering grades 1-2, and is scheduled for Mondays, Sept. 27-Oct. 25, at Kent Commons. Players will have a choice of two sessions: 5:30-6:30 p.m., or 6:30-7:30 p.m. The focus is on fundamentals and fun. The cost is $35, and the registration deadline is Aug. 23. VOLUNTEER COACHES ARE NEEDED. More information: Kent Parks at (253) 856-5000.

FISHING
FLY FISHING PUGET SOUND BEACHES
Cutthroat, resident salmon and migrating salmon can be taken on flies from Puget Sound beaches. The class is two sessions: Tuesday, Aug. 10, in the classroom at the Kent Senior Activity Center from 6:30-8:30 p.m., and Saturday, Aug. 14, on the beach. The cost is $69. More information: Kent Parks at (253) 856-5000.

W. WASHINGTON WALLEYE CLUB
The club meets the third Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. behind and below the Green Acres Learning Center, 1826 S. 240th St. (just past Highline Community College). Guests are always welcome. More information: (253) 852-3296 or http://walleye-club.com or P.O. Box 4204, Kent, 98032, or e-mail: sports@foxinternet.net.

NORTHWEST BASSMASTERS
The club meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Bellefield Office Park Complex Center, 1150 114th Ave. S.E. in Bellevue. More information: Kirk Bain at (425) 922-3469.

FLAG FOOTBALL
KENT PARKS YOUTH PROGRAM
This program is for players who live within the city of Kent or within the Kent School District boundaries in unincorporated King County who will be entering grades 4-7 in the fall. Leagues will be for grades 4-5 and 6-7. Games and practices are at Wilson Playfields. The season runs from October through mid November. The cost is $40 per player, and the registration deadline is Aug. 23. More information: Kent Parks at (253) 856-5000.

GOLF
RIVERBEND AMATEUR
The 17^th annual tournament is set for Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 14-15, at Riverbend Golf Course in Kent. The entry fee s $165 per player. More information: Riverbend at (253) 854-3673.

HOCKEY
BEGINNERS PROGRAM
The Sno-King Junior Thunderbirds will offer a year-round, beginners-level program for boys and girls ages 5-10. No skating experience is necessary. The program will be on Saturdays at Castle Ice in the Renton Highlands, or at Kingsgate Ice Arena in Kirkland. Players are welcome to join at any time. More information: online at www.snokinghockey.com.

GYMNASTICS
GYM STARZ PROGRAMS
This Kent gym offers a STARLETS GIRLS NOVICE program for ages 5-9 on Tuesdays from 4-4:55 p.m. and with the next session set for Aug 3-24 (4-4:55 only). The cost is $65. Thursday sessions will be offered Aug. 5-26 from 11-11:55 a.m. The cost is $65. A SUPER STARZ BOYS NOVICE program for ages 5-9 is offered on Tuesdays from 4-4:55 p.m. Aug. 3-24. The cost is $65. Gym Starz is located at 21440 68^th Ave. So., Suite 107, in Kent. More information: Gym Starz at (253) 639-9339 or Kent Parks at (253) 856-5000.

ICE SKATING
LEARN TO SKATE CLASSES
An eight-week series with group and private lessons for boys, girls and adults is being offered at KENT VALLEY ICE CENTRE. Instruction is based on criteria set forth by the Ice Skating Institute. Skating classes are a solid starting point for those interested in figure skating or hockey. The facility is located at 6015 S. 240th St. in Kent. More information: (253) 850-2400, ext. 19, or online at www.FamilyNightOut.com.

OFFICIATING
KENT PARKS
New and experienced officials are needed for soccer, flag football, basketball, volleyball, and umpires are needed for baseball and fastpitch. Applicants must be age 14 or older. More information: Kent Parks at (253) 856-5000.

SOCCER
KENT PARKS YOUTH LEAGUES
These league are for boys and girls who will be entering grade 2-6 in the fall, and who live either within the Kent city limits, or within Kent School District boundaries in unincorporated King County. Games are 11-v-11, with practices on weeknights and games primarily on weekends at local fields from mid September through Nov. 2. Leagues are separated by gender and grade level. The cost is $40 per player, and the registration deadline is Aug. 2.
COED LEAGUES for pre-K and K-1 also will be offered. Pre-K games are 5-v-5, and players must be at least 3 years old by Aug. 31, 2010. The K-1 games are 8-v-8, and players must currently be enrolled in kindergarten or Grade 1, and be at least 5 years old by Aug. 31, 2010. The cost is $40 per player, and the registration deadline is Aug. 2. More information: Kent Parks at (253) 856-5000.

TENNIS
KENT PARKS DAY CAMP
This camp for boys and girls ages 5-17 will be offered throughout the summer on a Monday-through-Thursday basis at Kentridge High School. Campers will be placed in groups according to skill levels. The final session for ages 5-7 (9-10:30 a.m.) and 8-17 (10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.) is Aug. 8-12. An additional session for players age 8-17 (9 a.m.-noon) is Aug. 2-5. The cost is $55 for ages 5-7 and $98 for ages 8-17. The instructor is USPTA-certified pro Steve Walters. More information: Kent Parks at (253) 856-5000.

KENT PARKS YOUTH AND ADULT LESSONS
Lessons will be offered for beginners (ages 6-10, and ages 11-14) and beginner-intermediate (ages 15-adult) throughout the summer at Garrison Creek Park on Kent’s East Hill, and at Kent-Meridian High School and taught by USPTA-certified pro Steve Walters. Two lessons per week over the course of four weeks for a total of eight lessons will be offered in each session. Lessons are 60 minutes each, with a four-week session starting Aug. 3, additional sessions for ages 11-14 and 15-adult starting Sept. 7, and a final session for ages 11-14 starting Oct. 5. Beginner age 6-10 meet from 4:30-5:30 p.m.; beginners age 11-14 meet form 5:30-6:30 p.m., and beginner-intermediates age 15-adult meet from 6:30-7:30 p.m. The cost per four-week session is $60. More information: Kent Parks at (253) 856-5000.

TRIATHLON
TRIATHLON TRAINING
These swim and run workouts are for athletes age 18 and older. Participants must be able to swim 100 yards without stopping. Wet suits are mandatory to swim in deep water or along the buoy line. Running workouts will take place around Lake Meridian and on the Soos Creek Trail. Sessions are scheduled for Wednesdays, from now through Aug. 25, from 6:15-8 p.m. at Lake Meridian Park. Costs are $120 for nine workouts, $84 for six workouts, and $15 on a drop-in basis. More information: Kent Parks at (253) 856-5000. Bike training opportunities will be available. Details can be found online at www.weraisethebar.com. Registration for the training sessions also can be completed on that Web site.

VOLLEYBALL
KENT PARKS ADULT LEAGUES
Leagues are offered three times throughout the year: Fall (September-December), Winter (January-March) and Spring (April-May). Levels of play are Tuesday Night Open, Tuesday Night Coed and Wednesday Night Women. All matches are played at Kent Commons. More information: Kent Parks at (253) 856-5000.

PAT POWERS CLINIC
These two-day clinics are for players age 13 to adult. Among the topics covered are putting spin on the ball to increase control, how to snap a ball instead of hitting it, and how to put ‘pop’ onto serves. The clinics are set for Aug. 9-10 and Dec. 11-12 at Kent Commons. The cost is $140. More information: Kent Parks at (253) 856-5000.

KENT PARKS GIRLS LEAGUES
These leagues are for girls in grades 7-12 who live within the Kent city limits or within Kent School District boundaries in unincorporated King County. Practices are on weeknights beginning in late September, and the season concludes in early December. Leagues will be for grades 7-8 and 9-12, with matches played in local gyms. The cost is $45 per player, and the registration deadline is Sept. 1. More information: Kent Parks at (253) 856-5000.

Things are coming together quite nicely for Kentwood product Matt Hague, who was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 9th round of the 2008 draft.

Hague, who was moved from third base to first base shortly after getting drafted, is playing for Pittsburgh’s Double-A affiliate, the Altoona Curve of the Eastern League.

On July 14, Hague played in his first professional All-Star game. Hague was named to the Western Division’s All-Star team of the Eastern League. The West knocked off the East 10-3. Hague went 0-for-2 in the game, but has otherwise enjoyed a standout year.

The 24-year-old slugger, a 2004 Kentwood High graduate who was drafted out of Oklahoma State University, entered the week hitting .304 with 9 home runs and 54 RBIs in 306 at-bats. In addition, Hague has walked more times (39) than he has struck out (37).

I put in a call to Hague about an hour ago and am hoping to hear back from him at some point this weekend. Those numbers are pretty impressive. Hague’s on a pretty good path to the major leagues. In fact, it’s relatively common for players to skip Triple-A altogether and move straight to The Show. If Hague’s production continues, and the Pirates continue to falter at the major league level, a September callup could be in store for the Kent native. It’s certainly worth tuning in to.

Matt Hague

Auburn Mountainivew High running back Visa Thach and Kent-Meridian linebacker Joseph Mose were recently invited — and will attend — the nation’s top prep football all-star camp, Football University’s Top Gun at the Warhill Sports Complex in Williamsburg, Va. from July 21-24. Top Gun is the culmination of Football University’s 28-camp nationwide tour gathering the most elite performers from across the United States. Nearly 1,000 prep football players from around the nation will be taking part in the camp, which will feature approximately 100 former NFL players and coaches.

Last week, Adrienne Wilson of the Seattle Majestics noted that making the USA Football’s Women’s National team provided her a chance of the lifetime.
This week, Wilson and Team USA have made good on that chance of a lifetime, winning back-to-back games to advance to a gold-medal showdown against Team Canada.
Team USA throttled Austria 63-0 to open the six-team, week-long tournament in Stockholm, Sweden. Wilson, a wide receiver, pulled in a 2-point conversion in the victory. Team USA continued to dominate on Thursday, ripping Finland 72-0. Team USA will play Canada for the gold medal at 7 p.m. on Saturday in Stockholm for the championship. Canada opened the tournament with a 12-6 victory over Sweden, then upended Germany 20-12.

I talked with ShoWare Shootout 3-on-3 tournament promoter Steve Turcotte earlier today to see how his trip this past weekend to the Spokane Hoopfest went.
His response?
“Unbelievable,” Turcotte said. “It’s insane.”
Indeed. But it’s what Turcotte followed with that got me thinking.
“There’s absolutely no reason we can’t do that here in Kent,” Turcotte said of the Spokane event, which brings in roughly 5,000 teams and 25,000 players each year for the tournament.
Which is exactly what Turcotte is trying to pull off with the ShoWare Shootout 3-on-3 tournament slated for Aug. 7-8. No, it’s not going to be 25,000 players deep this year, but who knows, maybe in the future it will be. Right now, the goal is for 150 teams. And while slots are filling up, there is space available teams looking to compete.

What I love about the concept of this tournament is the fact that anybody can take part in it … even an out-of-shape scrub like myself. Unfortunately, I will be out of town that particular weekend at my 11-year-old son’s baseball tournament. Despite being out of town, I’m excited to see how the first-year event turns out. Turcotte noted that there’s still space available to sign up, but time is running out. Teams have until Aug. 1 to sign up for the tournament. If your team registers by July 10, the team fee is only $50. For a four-game guarantee, that’s a pretty good deal. After that, the fee is $100 per team.

What three people would I like to see form a team?
Hmmmm … how about a team comprised of Kentridge’s Gary Bell, Kentwood’s Joshua Smith and Kent-Meridian’s D’juan Miller? For the record, I love watching Miller play. On the girls side, how about Kentwood’s Kylie Huerta, good friend Morganne Comstock and K-M’s Briana Shannon? Or, how about Kentwood’s three top female players during the past five years — Huerta, Lindsey Moore (Nebraska) and Courtney Vandersloot (Gonzaga). Now that’s a team I’d put money on.

I’d love to hear from those who are going to compete or who have the “perfect” team in mind.
For more on the tournament, go online to www.showareshootout.com

The prep track and field season may be over for most, but it will continue for a select group of Kentwood High girls who were chosen to compete in the Nike Track Nationals Meet, which is slated for Friday (July 2).
The meet, which will take place at Hayward Field on the University of Oregon campus in Eugene, is being billed as the national championship for high school track and field. The top 12 boys and top 12 girls programs from around the country were invited to take part in the event. Kentwood, which finished sixth at state last month, is the top-ranked girls team in the Northwest. Rankings are based on individual results in 10 events.
Making the trip for the Conquerors will be Holly DeHart (100, long jump), Dana Wareham (400 meter), Aiesha Goodlow (100 hurdles), Megan McNally (800), Beth Parrish (pole vault), Alyx Toeaina (throws), and Carly Horn (high jump).
Nike is flying in all 24 teams that will be taking part in the event.
“It’s really a huge honor,” said Kentwood coach Steve Roche. “There are only 24 teams in the nation that are being asked to do this. It’s really a pretty sweet deal.”

SWGA CITY CHAMPIONSHIP AT MERIDIAN VALLEY COUNTRY CLUB

Championship Flight: Leslie Folsom (Rainier) def. Mimi Racicot (Rainier) 4&2

First Flight: Ann Johnson (Meridian Valley) def.Linda Warson (Sahalee) 6&5

Second Flight: Gayle Colello (Rainier) def. Claudia Robbs (Overlake) 2 up

Third Flight: Barbara Tracy (Bear Creek) def. Sharon Falkner (Meridian Valley) 4&3

Fourth Flight: Susie Arkell (Rainier) def. Mary O’Donnell (Overlake) 6&4

Fifth Flight: Sarah Finkenstaedt (Seattle) def. Dodie Fizsimmons (Meridian Valley) 3&2

Sixth Flight: Mickey Nojima (Plateau) def. Pam Costner (Meridian Valley) 3&2

Seventh Flight: Judy Rodia (Glen Acres) def. Janet Benson (Plateau) 2 up

Eighth Flight: Kathy Rucker (Meridian Valley) def. Linda Pearson (Meridian Valley) 21 holes

Ninth Flight: Denise Owen (Sahalee) def. Margaret Campbell (Bear Creek) 3&1

Tenth Flight: Peggy Stahl (Twin Lakes) def. Shari Brindle (Seattle) 3&2

Eleventh Flight: Porsche Everson (Glen Acres) def. Sally Irvine (Rainier) 7&6

At Meridian Valley Country Club

CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT: Leslie Folsom def. Sharon Drummey 1 up; Anne Carr def. Sue Hubbard 5&4; Mimi Racicot def. Ruth Pardey 8&7;  Sue Ursino def. Jeanne Link 3&2

FIRST FLIGHT Linda Selegue def. Patti Knight 2 & 1; Ann Johnson def. Kim Hong 6&4; Marge Rider def. Carol Bartholomay 2&1; Linda Warson def. Crystal Baker 3&1

SECOND FLIGHT: Claudia Robbs def. Janice Japar 5&3; Margaret Smith def. Kara Zitsman 2&1; Gayle Colello def. Bobby Sours 1 up; Kathy Provazek def. Eri Griffin 3&1

THIRD FLIGHT: Barbara Tracy def. Jennifer Schumpp 6&4; Mary Guay def. Jee Woo 19 holes ; Joanie Fox def. Deni Sutherland 1 up: Sharon Falkner def. Cyndie Boe 1 up

FOURTH FLIGHT: Mary O’Donnell def. Cheryl Breidenbach 2&1; Karen Hansen def. Hallie Marks 2&1; Debbie Slatt def. Mary Dedomenico 2&1; Susie Arkell def. Linda Tungsvik 2&1

FIFTH FLIGHT: Dodie Fitzsimmons def. Rachel Hoch 5&4; Charlie Gele def. Celia Ingram 3&1; Chris Hughes def. Yuki Chikamuara 4&3; Sarah Finkenstaedt def. Kathleen Walker 4&3

SIXTH FLIGHT: Pam Costner def. Judy Thompson 3&2; Doris Rogers def. Cheryl Lienesch 1 up; Joan Hodges def. Mary Gleason 6&5; Mickey Nojima def. Carol Toschi 6&4

SEVENTH FLIGHT: Cathy Bachmann def. Mitzi Shimizu 3&2; Janet Benson def. Roxanne Koch 3&2;  Judy Rodia def. Carol Artz 23 holes; Merrily Pettibone def. Nancy Carson 19 holes

EIGHTH FLIGHT: Kathy Rucker def. Bert Winther 2&1; Beth Velling def. Susan Goddard 20^th hole; Marta Lindgren def. Maralee Leland 1 up: Linda Pearson def. Kathy Solberg 1 up

NINTH FLIGHT: Margaret Campbell def. Linda Wilson 1 up; Diane Taniguchi def. Maxine Adametz 4&2; Denise Owen def. Molly O’Grady 3&2; Tracy Quigley def. Linda Wheat 4&3

TENTH FLIGHT: Shari Brindle def. Annette Southey 5&3; Janet Olson def. Lilly Tokita 7&6; Vicki Lee def. Linda Abbott 1 up; Peggy Stahl def Carol Berlin 6&4

ELEVENTH FLIGHT: Trisha Morton def. Gerene Holt 19^th hole; Sally Irvine def Sholpan Belbayev 1 up

AUBURN SUMMER LEAGUE BASKETBALL SCORES
Kentlake – 60   Enumclaw – 55  O.T.
Rogers – 54   Jefferson – 44

Kent-Meridian – 75   Bonney Lake – 61
Todd Beamer – 66   Vashon – 25
Cascade Christian – 62   Tahoma – 47
Kentwood – 50   Sumner – 20
Kentridge – 60   Hazen – 56   O.T.
Federal Way – 82   White River – 20
Auburn – 46   Riverside – 38
Bellermine Prep – 60   Emerald Ridge – 41