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POMEROY–Senior members of the Pomeroy High School Basketball program were honored by parents and fans at the final home game February 7.

Sydney Watko, who was joined by her father Dave Watko, savors "going to state the last two years with my best friends and sharing that awesome experience with them, plus the interesting bus rides and talks. The thanked her parents Dave and Ginger or investing time into her basketball career, her sister McKenzie for being supportive; Larry and Sherrie for their love and encouragement, and coaches and teammates for making her experience the best. She has signed to play basketball for Allegheny College in Pennsylvania, where she'll study to become a nurse-anesthetist.

Brooke Ames was joined by her parents, Ricky and Raina Davis, and fondly remembers at Sunnyside, in the locker room, and she "went to talk with Coach Gena, and Maya thought Gena was coming in when it wasn't either of us. Maya yelled out, 'Hi Mom!!' and a referee replied 'Hi Girls!' in a girly voice." Ames thanked her parents and family for encouragement, and coaches and teammates for pushing and supporting her. She intends to attend Eastern Washington University to study psychology and earn an Education Psychology/Counseling degree.

Maddy Dixon was flanked by parents Laura and John Dixon, and humorously recalls a District game, with State on the line, and she got blood on her jersey. She and Jaden Steele quickly switched jerseys, and got a technical foul for undressing courtside. Dixon thanked her parents for all they've done for her, her early coaches-Chris Wolf, Shane Severs, Nettie Severs-for starting this team, and Coach Bye and Coach Gena for pushing the team to be its best. Dixon has signed to play basketball at the University of Providence (Montana) and she will study business administration.

Heidi Heytvelt was joined by parents Lou and Lillian Heytvelt, and her best memory is jam sessions on the bus, singing Pitch Perfect rip-offs. She thanks her parents, grandparents and family for their support; "Chris Wolf and Aunt Nettie for shaping me into the player I am today," coaches Bye and Severson for "believing in me and dealing with my craziness," and for Larry's and Sherrie's texts and "being there for us." Heytvelt plans to attend WWCC to play softball and study elementary education.

Jaden Steele and her parents Joel and Christy Steele. Steele's hilarious recollection was Kenzie thinking that ear buds stuck in a nostril would mean the sound would come out one's mouth. "Heidi tried it, stuck them up too far, and got a bloody nose. We woke up the entire bus with our laughing." She thanks her parents for their support, Larry and Sherrie Ledgerwood for giving "us a place to hang out," and Chris Wolf and Shane and Nettie Severs for coaching her in earlier years. Steel's plans are to attend WWCC to study fashion design and retail merchandizing.

Teagan Steele has served as manager for the girl's team. Her favorite memory happened during a practice this year and the song "Turn Down for What" started playing. Coach Bye looked at Baby Breckyn and said "Don't tell your dad you were listening to this!" She thanked friends who convinced to be team manager, the team for accepting her, the coaches for being easy to work with and having great kids, and her parents for allowing her to spend time with the team. She plans to attend Oregon State University to study environmental engineering.

Alyssa Wolf, with parents Chris and Kim Wolf, fondly remembers going to state the last two years and "playing with my best friends." She thanked her family for their support and going to games, and her dad for coaching her for years. She also thanked her coaches and teammates for the last four years, Larry and Sherrie Ledgerwood for the pre-game texts, and especially thanked Doug LaMunyan for his support, coaching influence and "being a role model in my life." Wolf is headed to WSU to become an elementary speech therapist.

Evan Bartels was joined by parents Brian Bartels and Kristin Hatala. He enjoys remembering the end of a junior-high game and the coach instructed players to "foul." The ball was inbounded, and "Gavin practically threw a kid into the third row of the bleachers...and no foul was called." He thanked his parents and grandparents for their support and coming to games; his coaches and anyone who taught him basketball skills, especially Coach Wolf and Coach Cranor for their efforts the past few years. Bartels plans to attend either Eastern Washington University or Washington State University to study computer science.

-East Washingtonian photo

Seniors on the Pomeroy Pirate basketball team were honored by their parents and basketball fans, from left: Evan Bartels and family; Danner Maves and family; and Byron Stallcop and family.

Danner Maves was joined by his parents Rob and Jennifer Maves. He remembers a Christmas tournament where some guy walked into a doorframe when there were three open doors in front of him. Maves thanked his family and friends for their support and encouragement to "keep going and be the best I could be, on and off the court." That also goes for coaches and, finally, for Mr. LaMunyan for the "Drills for Skills" program and getting him into basketball. He plans to attend Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton, Ore., to play baseball and study anthropology with the goal of becoming an archaeologist.

Byron Stallcop and his parents Aaron and Kendra joined him on the court. His best memory is duets with Trent on the bus "to try to annoy the girls." He thanks his coaches for working with him this season, especially Coach Wolf for helping with his jump. Stallcop intends to attend WWCC then transfer to WSU to study elementary education.