The Kagerz Varsity Girl’s team met a familiar foe in the championship game of the WTA 23rd Annual VI Slamma Jamma, but on the way to the championship the team played some fantastic basketball.  The team opened up with a nice win over Nbk, then avenged an earlier loss to Puget Sound Flight Alumni by beating them to go 2 & 0 on the first day of the three day event.

On Sunday the Kagerz had to win two tough games to advance to the championship.  The first game was against the Seattle YES team.  The Kagerz had beaten the YES earlier by five points and knew the YES was looking for a little payback as the YES had lead the whole way until the Kagerz took control in the last few mintues to pull off the win.  Again the Kagerz were behind by as many as 8 in the first half, but after half time the Kagerz took control of the game and won the game to put them at 3 & 0 for the tourney. 

The second game on Sunday had the Kagerz playing the Lady Rotary Style in the semi-final game.  The game had some extra incentive as Kaley Adams plays for the Kagerz and her younger sister Tanner Adams plays for the Rotary Style.  It has been a long time since I have seen the fans so emotional in a select game at the high school level.  The Kagerz jumped out to a quick 10 point lead 16 to 6.  After a time out the Rotary Style fought its way back with some intense ball pressure finishing the first half down by 2 points. 

The Kagerz started the second half with the 2 point lead building it to five points at times but always fighting off the Rotary charges.  Finally with less than a minute to go the Rotary Style took the lead by one.  The Kagerz came right back to regain the lead, but that only lasted a few seconds as the Rotary Style got a put back to take a one point lead with 15 seconds to go.  The Kagerz settled to work as a team running their PC offense with Marah Alindogan from Blanchet making a lay-up and getting the and one call.  After making the free throw, and giving the Kagerz a two point lead with five seconds to go the Kagerz played excellent defense to force the Rotary into a rushed shot at the buzzer.  It was an intense and sweet win.

Kaley Adams played one of the best games of her career and certainly won the bragging rights at the Adams home.  Of course we are proud of Tanner as well.  Tanner comes to the Kagerz practice to work out with us when her team is not practicing. 

In the championship the Kagerz faced a familiar foe in the Way To Win Gold.  It is the 3rd time this season the Kagerz have played them.  This game was over early as the WTW Gold came out shooting at about 90% and moving the ball effeciently up the court forcing the Kagerz to foul.  The Kagerz fought back but just did not match the skills the WTW Gold team brings, and proves why they are one of the top teams in our State.

The Kagerz finished their pre July seasons with a 22 & 10 record taking 2nd, 2nd, 6th, 4th and 2nd in the seven touraments they have played in.  Great work ladies we are very proud of you.

It did not start pretty but overall the Kagerz came to play serious basketball in the Auburn/Riverside Mid-May Run tournament.  The Kagerz opened the tourney facing The Tree Of Hope one if the top teams in the state.  After 8 minutes of play the Kagerz led the game with good passing, good defense, and super team play.  Then the bottom dropped out.  Not with standing the TOH is a very talented team it was hard to watch the Kagerz simply quit playing.  The Kagerz are 19 & 9 for the season having taken, 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th in four of the six tournaments played thus far.  Evidently the team took the loss as personal because the Kagerz finished the tourney in 4th place taking the next three games and finishing with a 3 & 1 record. 

The tournament provided some very nice team highlights as well.  Our posts who have been struggling with their offense had some very nice moments during the last three games.  Kate stepped up in game #3 with 14 points. They also showed some signs of becoming a strong rebounding team by grabbing offensive rebounds.  The bench provided some much needed offense as Erika broke out for some scoring which brought our fans to their feet. 

Jocelyn Jones was picked for the 1st team all tournament.  Jocelyn has demonstrated some fantastic abilities to score, and play defense.  Many times during the season Jocelyn has provide our teams with brilliant defensive trapping, and body twisting scoring that leaves everyone speechless. 

The Kagerz will play in the 23rd Annual WTA Memorial tourney this weekend at Kent Meridian High School.

The Kagerz traveled to Yakima for the annual Yakima Best In The West tourney.  Always a good test for those teams planning to play in the July College Evaluated tournaments the Yakima tourney matches the states top select teams as well as teams from Oregon and Idaho. 

Our girl’s began on Friday night with a 9:30pm game against The Incredibles a team made up of part of last years Yakima Community College team and current seniors looking at the school.  The Kagerz could not find the rim in the first half getting down by as many as 24 points early in the thrid quarer.  After a timeout the Kagerz woke up and began to play basketball like they can pulling off a stunning come from behind win by two points.  It was a nice way to begin the toureny. 

On Saturday the Kagerz were still showing signs of sluggish play but were ahead for most of the game.  In the fourth quarter the Kagerz showed why they still have tons of work to do before July as they let the lead slip away with some sloppy play and lost the game by one at the buzzer.  Their second game was against Quickhandle of Issaquah who they had lost to by 18 in the MSNM tourney in April.  The Kagerz played one of their best team games fighting all the way in a tough game.  The game went back and forth with each team taking the leads, but in the fourth quarter the Kagerz began to demonstrate they wanted the game more.  With about four minutes left in the game the Kagerz had a five point lead, and were determined not to let this one slip away.  Down by five Quickhandle called a timeout to set up their pressure defense, but the Kagerz handled it perfectly moving the ball with lighting speed from one teammate to the other forceing the QH team to foul.  The Kagerz walked away with a nice 12 point win and first place in their pool.

On Sunday the Kagerz again were in control of their first game by five points late in the third quarter but let the game get away from them in the fourth by playing sloppy and not enough team game.  After losing their first game the Kagerz were left with a game for 5th & 6th.  In this game against a team from Idaho the Kagerz could not match the inside game of Idaho.  The bigs from Idaho were strong and confident scoring posts and the Kagerz posts just could not match the offensive efforts.  Our posts battled hard on defense but the experience of the Idaho bigs made the difference in the end handing the Kagerz a six point loss forcing the Kagerz into 6th place. 

Anytime a team plays in a tourney with that kind of competition and medals it is a very good showing for your team.  I am very pleased with the progress the Kagerz have made since March, and believe the losses we took in Yakima will make our team that much stronger.  Good tourney Ladies.

On Sunday Morning the Kagers boys suffered a tough loss against a much bigger and physical team. The Kagers learned a lot about team basketball as they fought valiantly in what should be one of their most proud games of the season thus far. A Kagerz team with some experienced players, and others that are brand new to the program combined to play fantastic team defense and disciplined offensive basketball. In the end, they suffered an off shooting day that included a poor 6 of 17 from the foul line to lose in the last 30 seconds 39-35 to Alderwood. Sully led the Kagers with 12 points which included a dramatic half-court, game tying buzzer beater to end the first half. Keith Dingus led the team with 8 rebounds. The boys are off to Yakima next weekend and will need to focus a lot on free throw shooting if they want to win these close games. Regardless, it was an effort to be proud of as individuals showed the determination to get better, and once those shots start falling… look out for the Kagerz!

The Kagerz were down to 5 players this weekend for a double header due to a prior school commitment and coach Jay was at the WTA tournament.  All odds against them, Yet they live the Motto “No Excuses due the Work Slogan!!”. Coached by parent Dennis McCoy the fabulous 5 go 2-0 this weekend in league play.  Dennis and parents abound comment that the kids ran the plays, offenses, and defenses as set forth at the practices.  Work ethic is paying off.  Jalen Mack was unstoppable this weekend, hitting almost all his post moves and Layton Campbell was looking forward for the outlet pass.  Drew Campbell was driving the lanes and D. J. was high posting, hitting his shots.  Jacob is still the lead assist player making his contribution with his passing skills. Overall, the weekend was a blast.  It was a pleasure to hear parents comment to Dennis and hearing him rant and rave how kids are playing what I like to call Kagerz Ball.

It was very evident that both Kagerz teams were evenly matched.  In the first half, the white team jumped out to a ten point lead. Scoring machine Robert and Desha coupled with high defensive intensity by Terrell lead the way.  Michael Johnson, playing with a high temperature, showed his true conviction to the team with great hustle and ball movement.  Brendan proved his ability to hit the 3 point shot.  Yet the Red Team refused to give up.  Great ball movement and explosive shooting kept them in the game. The second half, the red team played team ball and moved the ball well.  Every player was given numerous chances to prove their ability and score. Scoring came from the outside and inside due to unselfish play and realizing when to attack and to wait for the proper opportunity.   It was the ability to outlast their opponent in the hustle faction that gave the Red team the win 74-70. This time the Red Team gets the Bragging Rights.  However, the white team are licking their chops to get revenge

Our Kagerz Varsity Girl’s went 3 & 1 in the WTA Spring Fling to take 2nd place.  The annual WTA Spring Fling is the first of three tournaments that all the top summer select teams want to play in.  The teams all want to see how they measure up for the even tougher July College Evaluated tournaments. 

The Kagerz opened the tourney with a sloppy played win over the Olympia Boomers 41 to 29.  The Kagerz followed the first game win with a below par effort but beat the Spanaway Tar Heels 51 to 41.  The 2 & 0 start put the Kagerz in a semi-final game against one of our area’s top teams the Puget Sound Flight Blue.  The Flight program is based out of Redmond and consistently produces college prospects, and the Flight Blue is their top varsity team.  To beat this team the Kagerz knew they would have to bring their A game, and they did.  Jumping out to an 8 to 1 lead the Kagerz established the tone from the tip.  The game was not decided until they ran the clock out with a two point lead to take a 36 to 34 win. 

In the championship game the Kagerz faced one of the top two teams in Western Washington the Way To Win Gold.  The WTW Gold is loaded with top players from all over the State.  The Kagerz battled for one half until the bench strength of the WTW Gold beat them.  In a game the Kagerz could have thrown in the towel the girls still fought with pride but lost the championship 64 to 44. 

Jocelyn was steady every game.  Jocelyn brings it on both ends of the court.  Defensively Jocelyn makes the other teams ball handler want to get rid of the ball, and offensively she leads our team in ppg, and they come from outside, inside, and hustle plays that are fun to watch.  Marah stands right next to Jocelyn in defense and scoring.  Marah works ball handlers over from one end of the court to the other.  Once Marah fixes her shooting form she will match anyone in the scoring department.  Teelin is becoming a floor leader.  Teelin has passing skills that are above the skills of some of our player.  She can thread the needle with speed and accuracy.  Once Teelin understand how much joy there is in leading your team to win after win she will be a tremendous asset to any college program.  Taylor had a breakout game against the Flight Blue.  I knew Taylor could be the fourth part of our starting five if she found her scoring confidence and defensive anticipation.  It all arrived in the Flight game.  Taylor stepped up and provided the effort we needed to get that huge win.  Our posts Kaley, Kelsey, and Kate, are learning.  Kaley is our starting post.  All three bring defensive skills, but all three have lots of work to become the offensive threat the Kagerz need to be super competitive in July.  Charlotte and Erika are two young players that are in a developmental stage.  Once they work on their game skills their confidence will grow and they will both contribute more in games. 

Over all this weekend I was especially pleased with our teams efforts.  What is missing is consistency.  Once the Kagerz play every game like they should dominate their opponents they will.  Great tournament Kagerz.

The Kagerz boy’s 5th & Varsity teams had exciting games in their league opener this past weekend. 

The boy’s 5th battled the clock in a hard fought 54 to 50 loss.  The league provides a running clock format.  The Kagerz trailed in the final minutes and were forced to foul which allowed their opponent to run the clock while at the free throw line.  The Kagerz suffocating defense kept them in the battle throughout, but it was not enough to beat the clock in the end.  Our varsity boys that stayed to support their younger teammates said it was an exhilarating battle to watch.  A special thanks to the varsity boys for demonstrating the Kagerz program philosophy.  Well done.  The Kagerz 5th boys took the loss in stride and starting preparing for the next battle.  Great job guys.

The Kagerz varsity boy’s were in a exciting battle of their own in their league opener.  It was a barn burner with both teams taking and hitting shots from all over the court.  Both teams had runs and both team fought back with the lead changing as many as twelve times during the game.  It appears it is good we are adding a second varsity team to our program.  Trying to provide playing time for as many as eleven players was difficult.  The boys coaching staff is very excited about how hard our players play and strongly believe the Kagerz will be a force to reckon with very soon.  In the end the boys lost 54 to 50. 

Make sure you check your website calendar for game times and locations for this weekends tourney.  Great job guys.

The Kagerz Girl’s Varsity could do no better than 2 and 2 in the MSNM tourney held at Juanita High School.  After suffering a whole day of poor shooting the nets opened up a bit for the Kagerz on Sunday.  There was still a bit of hang over from Saturdays shooting woes in the semi-final game of the consolation bracket on Sunday.  The Kagerz fought hard with their speed but could not match the inside game of their opponent.  After losing a hard fought battle in the first game the Kagerz finished the tourney on a positive note running away in a one sided win over their opponent to finish the touney 2 & 2.  As in every new team the Kagerz are learning how to play together, and that team play beats individual play.  The Kagerz will be in the WTA Spring Fling next weekend with 70 teams entered.  It will be another tough weekend for the Kagerz as some of the area’s top teams are entered. 

Next weekend we have our girls & boys varsity teams entered in the WTA Spring Fling held at Juanita High School.  The schedule will be posted on the website calendar on Monday night.

The Kagerz Varsity Girl’s could not find the basket on the opening day of the MSNM tourney.  While the Kagerz worked hard on defense and showed some patients on the offensive end the bank was closed from the outside for the Kagerz.  In the opening game the Kagerz led at halftime by 9.  In the second half their opponent went to a zone defense packing the paint and forcing the Kagerz to beat them from the perimeter.   The Kagerz have faced this before when the other team cannot match up with our speed.  Normally the Kagerz shoot very well from the outside and our posts are becoming stronger from the inside, but not today.  In our first two games we hit only two outside shots.  The Kagerz worked for the best team shot but the song for the day was clank, clank, and clank your booty.    In the 3^rd game of the day the baskets were a bit more kind to the Kagerz allowing them to get the win and moving to the semi-finals of the consolation bracket.  Hopefully Sunday is a better shooting day and the Kagerz can play for the consolation championship.