Coming into the 2011-2012 boys basketball season, many had chosen Lake Oswego as the frontrunner for the Three Rivers League title. However, the young, high-powered offense of the Lions looks to knock the Lakers off of their pedestal.
On Jan. 27, the Lions battled the Clackamas Cavilers for a 51-43 victory. Mitch Cokley, senior, and Ryan Shearmire, sophomore, each had 16 points for the Lions.
In a renewal of the Battle of the Bridge, West Linn defeated rival Oregon City 83-60 on Jan. 20. Shearmire led the Lions with 24 points in addition to snatching 13 rebounds. Freshman standout Anthony Mathis chipped in 20 points.
“It felt great to beat our rival and finally show that West Linn is on the map,” Ty Cleland, sophomore guard, said. “We’re ready to make a run for league title and the Rose Garden.”
On Jan. 18, the Lions and the Lakers met at Lake Oswego High School. Both teams were ranked in top ten in state respectively (LOHS #2 and WLHS #6) and undefeated in the TRL. In a thrilling overtime battle, the Lions pulled out a 63-60 victory over the Lakers. Cokley and Mathis led the way for the Lions in the scoring department scoring 16 points and 15 points respectively. This game boosted the Lions into a number four ranking in the state.
In their league opener, the Lions traveled to Lakeridge High School and defeated the Pacers 64-60. Mathis and Cokley again led the Lions in scoring; Mathis contributing 19 points and Cokley adding 17 points.
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Surging Lions look to finish a promising start to season on high note
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Ben Jacobs, Co-Editor-in-Chief
“College baseball? I think about it every day but if it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t,” Ben Jacobs, senior said. Jacobs has been playing baseball since he was just five years old. Whether it’s playing baseball, football, fishing or backpacking Jacobs is always busy doing what he loves. Besides being very intelligent he is also a quick worker and has a passion for writing. Those attributes and the fact that he loves sports make him a great co-editor in chief for the Amplifier.
Jacobs joined the Amplifier after being inspired by his cousin, a journalist at ESPN. Jacobs also hopes to become an athletics journalist or broadcaster, blending his love of sports and passion for writing. He would love to attend University of Washington in Seattle, Wash. due to its journalism program and sports programs.
Not only does Jacobs love school, but he loves his family too. He especially admires his grandfather, “because he always supports me through thick and thin. He is so easy to talk to we’ll be talking for hours and it will just feel like a few minutes. Also he loves sports as much as I do” Jacobs said.
However, he is not fully aware of the extent of his family roots and he hopes to travel to Russia to fully understand his ties. To meet his goal of going to Washington University Jacobs is taking two AP classes: he also has sports practice every day after school. When taking a break from school he enjoys fishing and backpacking on the weekends with his brothers Max, seventh grade, and Sam a sophomore. “It’s a great way to relax from the stress of school and sports” he said.
Hoping to achieve his goals, Jacobs has worked hard throughout his career in both school and sports. Look forward to seeing Ben Jacobs announce the big game someday.