By Pierre LaBossiere
FORKS — The Forks girls’ basketball team went 10-0 in the Pacific 2B League this past season and both players and coaches were recognized for the team’s success this week, as the Spartans’ Keira Johnson was named the league most valuable player and head coach David Hurn was named the league’s coach of the year.
Johnson had a stellar senior season for the Spartans. She averaged 24.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and 4.4 steals a game to lead Forks not only to the league title, but three straight loser-out wins at the District 4 tournament, a 19-7 record and a berth Friday in the regionals round of the state 2B tournament. She also had nine 30-point games for the Spartans.
“She’s such a hard worker,” said Hurn. “She really carried us at times. She’s the hardest-working kid I’ve ever been around.”
Johnson also not only achieved the difficult feat of scoring 1,000 career points, she set the all-time Forks girls’ scoring record, beating the old record of 1,303 points that had been held by Madison Justus since 2008.
Also making the Pacific 2B League second team were a couple of youngsters from Forks. Sophomore Chloe Gaydeski and freshman Bailey Johnson, Keira’s sister, made the second team. While Keira Johnson will be done with her high school basketball career soon, “the program’s future looks bright,” Hurn said.
Making the girls’ honorable mention team was senior Janessa Ramos.
The Forks girls will play at 6 p.m. against Cle Elum-Roslyn. That game is scheduled to be streamed online on the NFHS Network.
Boys all-league
The Forks boys placed a pair of players on all-league teams. Leading scorer Aidan Salazar, a senior, was named to the first team. Salazar had a number of 20-point games this year with his top game of 35 points (including six 3-pointers) coming in an overtime playoff win over Rainier.
Brody Lausche, a junior forward, made the Pacific 2B League second team.
Becket Turner of Ilwaco was named the league’s MVP, while Chief Leschi coach Scott Halasz was named coach of the year.
Pacific 2B League all-league selections
Girls
MVP — Keira Johnson, Forks.
Coach of the Year — David Hurn, Forks.
First team — Mikaila Warfield, Ilwaco; Brooklyn Avalon, Ilwaco; Kyndal Koski, Raymond-South Bend; Kassie Koski, RSB; Marley Rodarte, Ch. Leschi.
Second team — Bailey Johnson, Forks; Chloe Gaydeski; Alexia Bradley, Ocosta; Sophia Bittner, Ilwaco; Anna Davis, Ocosta.
Honorable mention — Janessa Ramos, Forks; Megan Kongbouakhay, RSB; Avalyn Stigall, RSB; Bristol Towle, Ocosta; Jazmine Goldman, North Beach; Natalie Gray, Ilwaco.
Sportsmanship Award — North Beach.
Boys
MVP — Beckett Turner, Ilwaco.
Coach of the Year — Scott Halasz, Chief Leschi.
First team — Aidan Salazar, Forks; Kyle Morris, Ilwaco; Mickey Lara, CL; Christopher Quintana, RSB; Thomas Dillon, CL.
Second team — Brody Lausche, Forks; Michael Spino, CL; Tarren Lewis, Ocosta; Jade Charley, NB; Sam Needham, Ilwaco; Austin Snodgrass, RSB.
Honorable mention — Talan Yearout, RSB; Jeremiah Eastman Jr., NB; Angel Oyos, CL; Boston Caron, Ilwaco; Kobe Charley, NB; Kayden Tuner, Ocosta.
Sportsmanship award — RSB, North Beach.
