‘On the side’ is a mid-week glance at the week’s top ticket, streaks, numbers and miscellaneous sports rumblings involving Covington and Maple Valley.
PUNCH THIS TICKET
Sure, three game days remain on the South Puget Sound League North Division schedule, but with the regular season winding down, there won’t be a bigger one than today’s matchup between Kentlake and Tahoma.
Sixth-ranked Kentlake (9-1, 13-2) remains the division’s nicest surprise, having won 10 of its last 11 behind youthful pitching, air-tight defense and timely hitting.
Meanwhile, Tahoma (9-1, 12-3) has won 10 of its last 11 as well, including seven in a row. This showdown, slated for 6 p.m. at Kent Memorial Park, likely will decide the North Division champion.
COMING HOME
Omare Lowe, a 1997 Tahoma High graduate, recently agreed to a one-year contract with the Seattle Seahawks.
Lowe, a defensive back who played for the University of Washington (1998-2001), spent last season on the injured list. A fifth-round selection of the Miami Dolphins in 2002, Lowe, 29, hasn’t played since 2006, when he was with the Atlanta Falcons.
Lowe was part of the Seahawks training camp in 2005, but was let go in the final round of cuts.
While at Tahoma, Lowe was a two-time All-Pierce County League selection at quarterback. He rushed for a team-high 907 yards and 17 touchdowns his senior season. He also was a standout on the basketball floor, where he was voted co-MVP of the league his senior season after helping the Bears reach the Class 2A state tournament for the first time.
Lowe also shined on the track, where he won three titles at the Class 2A state track meet his senior season, sweeping both hurdles races and running on Tahoma’s championship 1,600 relay team.
GOAL FEST
The Maple Valley Vandals lacrosse team, comprised of fifth and sixth graders from the area, turned back Redmond on April 12, 12-3, at Marymoor Park.
Colin MacIlvennie and Ethan Vastbinder delivered impressive performances for the Vandals, combining for seven goals. Brayden Sauerbier and Walter Moraski added a pair of goals each while Joe Donahue chipped in one score.
