Falcons are as gritty as ever

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One of the givens of the area high school basketball season is that the Prairie boys will be among the best teams in Southwest Washington and that doesn’t appear ready to change in 2014.

The Falcons showed they deserve to be recognized among the area’s top teams with a hard-fought 32-31 win over district-rival Battle Ground Friday. The win improved Prairie’s record to 3-2 on the season.

During coach Kyle Brooks’ 14-year tenure at Prairie, the Falcons have won five Greater St. Helens League championships and five district championships. In those 14 seasons, Prairie has made six trips to the state tournament and have advanced to the state semifinals twice. The Falcons have four top-8 finishes in Brooks’ 14 seasons at Prairie.

Last year, Prairie finished second the Class 3A GSHL before losing to Foss in the regional playoffs. The Falcons will be competing for one of their league’s three playoff spots this season.

Brooks has nine players returning from last season’s playoff roster, including six lettermen. Guards Palmer Goecke and Michael Stockbridge were each starters last year as sophomores and will likely form a big part of Prairie’s nucleus this season. Goecke had 11 points to lead Prairie to the win over Battle Ground.

“Palmer is fine playmaker and all-around player,’’ Brooks said. “He enjoys playing the game and he will be expected to be one of our floor general’s again this season. (He’s) a skilled player to watch this year in GSHL action. I am excited to have him back again this season.’’

About Stockbridge, Brooks said, “I am excited to have Michael back at the shooting guard (position) again this season. He will be expected to bring leadership in the backcourt. Michael gained valuable playoff experience last year and I am excited to see how it helps him this season.”

Jacob Davidson, a 6-foot-3 guard, is one of four seniors on this year’s Prairie team. Davidson was the Falcons’ Most Improved Player last season.

“Jacob is very fun to coach,’’ Brooks said. “He has grown up a lot in our program this past summer. I am very proud of how much he has improved the ‘intangibles.’ He is very athletic and has improved his game this offseason.’’



Other returning lettermen are sophomores Ethan Rouse, Greg Bernash and Dwayne Stewart. The trio should make up Prairie’s frontcourt this season. Rouse and Bernash are 6-4 forwards and Stewart is the Falcons’ tallest player at 6-6. Senior Brandon Crosby, a 6-4 center, will also see playing time in the middle for Prairie. Crosby was the Most Valuable Player of the junior varsity last season.

“Bernash is a returning letterman who gained valuable experience swinging (between) JV and varsity last season,’’ Brooks said. “He has improved his basketball skills to go along with his exceptional athleticism.

“Stewart also returns as a JV swing player from last season,’’ Brooks said. “At 6-6, he is the tallest player in the program. His length and eagerness to improve make him a bright spot in the PHS program. He will be expected to bring a strong presence in the paint for the Falcons.

“Rouse was also a JV swing player from last season that has worked very hard over the offseason to improve his footwork and shooting,’’ Brooks said. “Ethan is a fierce competitor and a very unselfish team player.’’

In addition to Davidson and Crosby, Prairie’s seniors include guards Koy Osborn and Walker Hausherr.

Sophomore Seth Hall and 6-5 freshman Matthew Kogler round out the Prairie roster.

“Overall, we should have nice balance of size, quickness, athleticism and basketball fundamentals,’’ Brooks said.

Prairie will host the Falcon Holiday Classic Shootout on Mon.-Tue., Dec. 22-23 at Prairie High School. The tournament will feature varsity, junior varsity and freshmen games each day. In the varsity tournament, the Falcons will be joined by Eisenhower, Woodinville and Evergreen. For more information, go to www.prairieathletics.com or visit Prairie Athletics on Facebook.