PUNCH THIS TICKET

Now that the holiday break is finishing up, the prep schedule will be back in full stride on Tuesday. And few games currently loom bigger in the South Puget Sound League North Division boys basketball race than Tuesday’s showdown between Auburn (4-1, 5-1) at fifth-ranked Kentwood (3-1, 4-3).

Auburn currently is tied with Kentridge (4-1) for the top spot in the North with Federal Way (3-1) and Kentwood just a half game behind. The Trojans haven’t played since Dec. 16, when they lost to Federal Way, 79-68.

This game should give fans a glimpse into what should be a race to the finish in the SPSL North. It’s also a prime opportunity to see Kentwood standouts Josh Smith (6-9, 285) and Tre Tyler got toe-to-toe with Auburn’s Jeff Gouveia and big man Isaiah Johnson (6-6, 270). Johnson may be the only player big enough in the North to give Smith a challenge. Smith enters the game averaging 24 points per contest.

THE VOTE GOES TO …

The Class 4A All-State girls soccer and volleyball teams were recently named. Locals bringing home top honors include in soccer: Rachel Bindl, Kentwood (1st team/defense) and Chelsi Pennington (2nd team/forward). The list in volleyball includes: Jessie Genger (first team/hitter); Lauren Campbell (2nd team/hitter); Stephanie Shumaker (honorable mention/setter) and Katie Grajewski (honorable mention/libero).

QUOTABLE

“When you have a chance to get a Yokers, you get one.”

— Seattle Pacific University women’s soccer coach Chuck Sekyra on recruiting Kentridge product Brooke Yokers. Yokers, a redshirt freshman for the Falcons this past fall, will play heavily into the team’s plans next season.