From historical state championships to gravity-defying plays, 2015 was a big year for Washington high school sports. Here's some of our favorites, in no particular order.
Got another favorite prep sports memory? Share it with us in the comments section.
1. Not only did Eastside Catholic football win a state championship, but they did it in a spectacular, come-from-behind fashion. In the third quarter of the title game, the Crusaders trailed by four touchdowns. However, the Crusaders came back from a 28-point deficit to win back-to-back state titles. Eastside Catholic's Brandon Wellington clinched it for the Crusaders, scoring the 11-yard touchdown that sent the game to overtime and the 1-yard run that won it.
2. Lake Stevens quarterback Jacob Eason became the second athlete from Washington state to win the Gatorade National Football Player of the Year award. One of the most hyped players in the country, Eason lived up to expectations, throwing for over 3,500 yards and 43 touchdowns during his senior campaign. He will play college football at Georgia next year. Former Seahawks quarterback Brock Huard was the first Washingtonian to win the award in 1995.
3. Juanita pitcher Lisa Nelson was the least likely person to guide the underdog Rebels to a Class 3A softball state championship. Plagued with anemia early in the season, Nelson came through big for her team in the state tournament. In four state tournament games, Nelson pitched 26 scoreless innings and gave up just 10 hits. In the title game she also went 4-for-4 at the plate to end Everett's 23-game win streak. A senior, Nelson is hoping to be back in full force next season.
4. Mercer Island won the Class 3A state baseball championship not once, but twice this year in a wacky state title game. The first time the Islanders won it, Shorewood pitcher Cole McKisson walked Mercer Island's Anthony Scalzo in the bottom of the eighth with the bases loaded. However, the Mercer Island runner on second never touched third base, resulting in an out. The game went to the top of the ninth scoreless. In the bottom of the 13th inning, Mercer Island's Josh Stenberg hit a walk-off home run, sealing the title for real.
5. Mountlake Terrace's Chinne Okoronkwo won three state track and field titles and set two new WIAA state meet records in the triple jump (41-10 ¼) and pole vault (13-03), which tied with Squalicum's Kirsten Webber. Okoronkwo's triple jump ranked No. 4 in the nation, and her pole vault was ranked No. 11 in the nation. The senior also won the long jump with a distance of 18-0.
6. Gonzaga Prep guard Laura Stockton, daughter of NBA great John Stockton, had two of the year's most clutch performances in the state tournament. In state semifinals, Stockton hit a deep three with seven seconds left on the clock to lift the Bullpups over Beamer 41-39. Then in the state championship game, Stockton scored 13 points and nailed a jumper that sent the game into overtime. Gonzaga Prep won the Class 4A title in double OT 57-52.
7. Chief Sealth's Hafid Yassin drew national attention when he threw down a monster dunk against Garfield in January. Yassin's jam brought his head and armpit above the rim. The video went viral and Yassin even ended up in SportsCenter's Top Ten. The 6-foot-5 guard drew some college attention from the play, and is now at a community college in Sacramento with the intent to play basketball.
8. A few high school athletes saw their names come up in the MLB draft, but the most notable was Shorewood's Ian Oxnevad. The righty pitcher was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the eighth round (251st overall). Oxnevad forewent his commitment to Oregon State to pursue professional baseball. During his senior season at Shorewood, Oxnevad posted an impressive 11-0 record, 0.53 ERA, and he gave up just six runs.
Four other Washington players were also drafted, three of whom decided to stick with college ball: C Brenden Illies of Puyallup (drafted 33rd round, 989th overall) is now at North Carolina, RHP Parker McFadden of Yelm (20th round, 605th overall) is now at Washington State, and OF Cody Hawken of Union (34th round, 1,013 overall) now at Portland. RHP Justin Marsden of Auburn Mountainview (22nd round, 658th overall) went pro and is with GCL Rays.
9. Inglemoor center Deja Strother was the only player from Washington to be selected to play in the McDonald's All-American game in April. Strother, who averaged 17.2 points and 11.6 rebounds during her senior campaign, is now at Washington.
10. The Lynnwood girls basketball team was young, talented, and hungry. After placing third in the Class 4A state tournament in 2014, Lynnwood took home the school's first state title in a team sport. To make the victory even sweeter, the Royals also dethroned back-to-back state champs Cleveland. Lynnwood wing Mikayla Pivec scored 31 points in the title game.
