Chris Morgan, who reached the top of the high school basketball world this past winter, now is looking to make it in the Pacific-10 Conference.
Morgan, who led Union to the Class 3A state championship and was The Columbian’s All-Region player of the year, has accepted an invitation to be a walk-on at Washington State University.
“You only get one opportunity to play at the highest level,” Morgan said. “This is something I owed myself to try to do.”
Morgan had offers from several smaller four-year schools and also was thinking of going the junior college route. But after meeting with WSU coach Ken Bone, Morgan decided to become a Cougar.
“I was over there at the end of April,” Morgan said. “I worked out with the team, met with the coaches. I talked to Bone one-on-one for about an hour.”
Morgan was told that a walk-on was part of WSU’s traveling team last season. And all walk-ons are considered part of the team.
“They do everything with the team,” Morgan said. “I wanted to be involved and compete and to get a shot to eventually play.”
Morgan said he plans on majoring in communications, another factor in his decision to attend WSU.
Morgan was a two-time All-Region selection after leading the Titans to a seventh-place finish at state in 2009, the school’s second season. Then this year, Union peaked at the perfect time, winning four in a row at the state tournament and knocking off three of the top-five ranked teams in the state.
Morgan made two free throws in the closing seconds to win the championship game over No. 1 and undefeated Enumclaw.
Prairie grad looks ahead — Michelle Bolliger, one of two senior leaders for the Prairie girls basketball team this past winter, has been working all spring to prepare to play for her new team.
Bolliger signed with Warner Pacific College in Portland.
“It was close to home, and it was affordable, compared to the other schools I was looking at,” said Bolliger, a straight-A student. “I really liked their team, and how they treated each other.”
Bolliger most likely will be a small forward in college.
“It’s nice to go into a new program, with new girls to play with, a new coach, a new style, and a whole other level, too,” she said. “It’s a lot faster. It’s really exciting.”
Top-level girls basketball on tap — The third annual Prairie/Cascades high school girls basketball tournament begins Friday at Prairie High School.
There are 20 varsity teams scheduled to compete, including Oregon powers Southridge, Oregon City, and South Eugene. Skyview, Union, Prairie, and Mountain View are among the teams that will represent Southwest Washington.
Games begin at 5 p.m. Friday, then again at 9 a.m. Saturday to last through the day and evening. Sunday action begins at 8:30 a.m., and concludes with the varsity championship at 4:30 p.m.
Cost is $4 for adults, $3 for students, $2 for seniors, or $11 for an all-day family pass.
Physicals for school sports available — Washington State University Vancouver nursing students and staff will hold an annual Clark County Sports and Camp Physical Exam Clinic on June 16 at Battle Ground High School.
Cost is $20, with fees supporting WSU Vancouver nursing scholarships.
Students from all area middle schools and high schools are welcome at the clinic, which will be open from 2:30-6:30 p.m. No appointment is necessary.
Physicals are required for athletes to participate in school sports.
“It’s good for parents to start thinking ahead because come August, it’s pretty hard to get into your provider for a physical,” said Melody Rasmor, clinical assistant professor of nursing.
