Mt. Hood Dance Academy to perform Christmas ballet Dec. 15

Nicolina Williams, 12, a sixth-grader at Dexter McCarty Middle School, sums up her fondness for ballet by hitting several marks.

“I love ballet because it’s so beautiful,” she says. “You get to dance and wear pretty costumes and wear pointe shoes, and it’s something I’ve loved since I was little.”

Williams will have plenty to do in Mt. Hood Dance Academy’s Saturday, Dec. 15, performance of “The Nutcracker” at Reynolds High School.

Located in Gresham, the academy will bring 60 performers on stage from ages 4 through 18 for two performances of Tchaikovsky’s famous Christmas piece, says Debbie Pierce, director of the academy’s ballet department.

Williams will dance several roles, including that of a child in a party scene, a flower, a Spaniard, a soldier, a member of the snow corps and as lead candy cane.

“She gets to have a special part in the dance, and she gets to wear a crown, and it’s a lot of fun, and I’m excited to be a part of the show,” Williams says, barely containing her enthusiasm.

Interestingly, it’s not her role as lead candy cane she finds most challenging, it’s dancing with the snow corps.

“You have to work to be a part of the team, and you have to work together on your timing,” she says.

Williams adds that she practices her steps several hours a week and has set her sights high for the future.

“I want to go somewhere and be a big part of a studio where they have professionals.”

A girl’s dream

Speaking of grand visions, Madison Burgin, 12, a seventh-grader at Walt Morey Middle School, will perform as both the Snow Queen and as Clara, the girl who dreams the entire ballet. She also will dance as a member of the snow and flower corps as well as a Chinese person.

“My favorite thing about playing Clara is all the acting you get to do,” she says. “You get to be dancing with Uncle Drosselmeyer (who brings the children the Nutcracker toy) and the Rat King and the Nutcracker. It’s pretty easy, but it’s a lot to learn, and I think the thing I struggle with the most is the acting. I think I focus more on my dance technique, and I need to worry more about my stage expressions and facial expressions.”

She adds this is the first time she’ll be on stage dancing with a male partner, namely the Snow King, portrayed by Nick Daley.

“What’s more difficult about dancing with a partner is you have to be more strong in your movements because it’s hard to lift and hard to control,” she says, noting her routine include multiple turns and leaps. Nonetheless, she’s game to try.

“I love to express myself through my movements,” she says. “This is the only thing I have to do besides school, and it keeps me busy.”

Like her fellow students, Arianna Kahler-Quesada, 17, a Reynolds High senior, will dance several roles, including that of Dew Drop as well as a member of the snow and flower corps, a Russian and a Spanish dancer and as a mother in the party scene.

“I’ve never done (Dew Drop) before so it’s interesting to see how that role works,” she says. “I really enjoy being a part of something but having a lead role as well.”

She believes audiences will find “The Nutcracker” a visually arresting experience.

“It’s kind of like watching a movie on stage,” she says.

And like a good movie, ballet is a healthy form of escapism, she says.

“It de-stresses me,” Kahler-Quesada says. “It’s just somewhere I can forget about the world and just dance and all the stresses about school and life go away.”

The Banjo strikes winning note with readers

Music runs in the veins of Jere Hudson and his son, Zach, who both note one of their Irish ancestors fled the Old Sod just ahead of British authorities hunting him.

“The story is he sneaked out of Ireland with his fiddle, disguised as a woman,” Jere says with a chuckle, clarifying it was his great-great-great-great grandfather — and not the fiddle — who looked like a lady.

Jere plays fiddle and guitar and Zach plays fiddle and banjo and also is a noted square dance caller. Both Hudsons also have made their mark in education here. Now retired, Jere taught art for 27 years to middle and elementary students in southern Oregon, and Zach teaches writing, reading and academic skills at Mt. Hood Community College as well as ITT Technical Institute in Portland.

The Hudsons’ love of music has borne fruit in Zach’s second illustrated book, “The Banjo.” Unlike his 2010 graphic novel “Minions of the Happy Isles,” which was aimed at an older audience, “The Banjo” is designed to reach children in grades two through six.

“The Banjo” details the story of Peter, who is unable to play in the elementary school orchestra because he doesn’t have a violin and his parents can’t afford to buy him one. Instead, he’s given an old banjo by a man hosting a yard sale, and winds up falling in love with the instrument.

The story takes a number of twists and turns, including the budding of an unlikely friendship between Peter and the seemingly remote school principal, Mrs. Blaine, whom most of his classmates fear but whose grandfather played banjo.

“Sometimes he would sing old, old songs from far away countries,” Mrs. Blaine tells Peter. “Sometimes he sang songs to dance to, and sometimes he sang lullabies.”

“This was the story that really captured my imagination,” Zach says, noting he and his wife, Jenny, have three children between the ages of 1 and 6 who “love having books read to them.” Zach says he wanted to compare and contrast the world of folk music as represented by the banjo and classical music as represented by the violin.

“The banjo is really distinct,” Zach says. “It’s one of those instruments that wasn’t adapted from the classical tradition,” noting its origins in various African instruments. “It’s really a product of the folk culture.”

The story allows children to realize they can take charge of learning music for themselves, he says, because folk musicians constantly reinvent their music. Children can then use that ability learn from others different kinds of music such as classical, he adds.

“Folk music is a real do-it-yourself genre,” Zach says. “Kids can find it really accessible.”

Dad lends a hand

Jere Hudson illustrated the book, basing his drawings of Peter on his next-door neighbors’ child, Ian Shaddix, 9, a fourth-grader at Lewis and Clark Montessori Public Charter School in Damascus.

“This was a very slow process for me,” Jere says, noting he used a style akin to Japanese pen and ink brushstrokes. He added that Ian was a great model and even learned a little banjo in the process.

“He said he invented a song,” Jere adds with a smile, noting Ian plucked out a repeated four-note pattern for him.

As for Ian, he couldn’t be more thrilled he played such a significant role in the book’s creation. He enjoyed plucking the banjo, he adds.

“It’s fun to play but I don’t think I want to take lessons.”

He also enjoyed the book.

“I read it, and it’s actually a pretty good book,” he says. “I liked it.

“I saw one of my friends at school reading it,” he adds. “She said it was a pretty good book.”

He also notes he particularly liked the fact the boy thought he was going to get in trouble with the principal, but instead befriended her through music.

His mother, Cathy Shaddix, was happy with the story as well.

“I was very pleased because it looked quite a bit like my son,” she says. “He had a picture of the boy and his mother, and it made it look like I keep a really clean home and bake,” she adds with a chuckle.

Amazon reviews

“The Banjo” has already received several positive customer reviews on Amazon.com.

“I read ‘The Banjo’ to my grandson (6) yesterday, the first time for both of us,” one customer wrote. “I was getting choked up reading it and I wasn’t sure whether he was picking up on it, but at the end there was a silence between us. Then, in a very cute way he announced, ‘That was a nice story.’

“There was a lot of good messages in that book, whether intended or not,” the customer continued. “Maybe just good writing. The illustrations were perfect for the story. And the CD is worth the price alone.”

Indeed, the $10.99 book includes a CD featuring banjo songs from such acts as Professor Banjo, Rising Appalachia, Squirrel Butter and Dejah Léger, Zach says. He deliberately passed over cutesy children’s songs and focused on including honest-to-goodness folk tunes like “Black-Eyed Suzie,” “Down in the River I Go” and “Simple Gifts,” which plays a central role in the story.

“I wanted songs that were the real folk stuff,” Zach says. “It’s really the right approach for the book.”

Oregon’s culture — and not coincidentally, its economy — can take additional strides forward if the state’s legislators and citizens act upon two separate opportunities in coming weeks.

The most immediate of these opportunities arrives with the end of the year and the chance for taxpayers to make a donation to the Oregon Cultural Trust — a gift that will cost the contributor essentially nothing.

The second opportunity involves legislative reauthorization of the cultural trust tax credit. We’ll talk more about that in a minute.

But first, we urge Oregonians to consider the benefits of making a gift to the cultural trust prior to Dec. 31 so that they can get that money back when they file their 2012 tax returns. Under the program created by the Legislature a decade ago, people who support arts and culture can give up to $500 to the trust, and then receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit.

Support a local group

Before making a donation to the trust, however, people must first contribute to one of more than 1,300 cultural nonprofits in Oregon. The list of eligible organizations includes theater companies, college foundations, historical societies, military museums and many similar groups with arts- or culture-related missions. These nonprofit groups can be found in every town or city in the Portland area — from Estacada to Forest Grove, and from Lake Oswego to Scappoose.

If, for example, a Gresham resident makes a donation to the Gresham Historical Society or the Mt. Hood Community College Foundation, he or she then can donate the same amount to the Oregon Cultural Trust and get the tax credit. (To give online, go to culturaltrust.org.) The money collected by the trust then is reinvested in cultural groups and activities throughout the state.

Legislature should renew program

This latter activity — the awarding of grants — brings us back to the second opportunity mentioned above. This one awaits the Oregon Legislature’s regular session in January, when lawmakers will consider whether to continue several tax-credit programs.

The case for renewing the cultural trust tax credit is a strong one. In its first decade, the trust already has distributed more than $12.5 million to hundreds of cultural groups in Oregon.

These trust grants are valuable beyond their beneficial effect on arts and culture. They also stimulate economic activity. Arts and culture groups employ people. They engage the services of suppliers and other businesses. And they bring visitors to communities who in turn spend money at shops and restaurants.

One recent study documented that Oregon’s culture economy is tied to 19,000 jobs. These are jobs that cannot be outsourced — they stay in Oregon.

The cultural trust is designed in such a way that each dollar raised is multiplied many times over. Grants must be matched, and they attract additional funding from out-of-state foundations.

For a very small amount of foregone tax revenue — an estimated $9 million out of a $16.5 billion biennial budget — the cultural trust will have an outsized, but positive, effect on the Oregon economy. Legislators should vote next year to continue this uniquely Oregon method of cultivating both culture and jobs.

Accused child criminal, and two other children, taken into protective custody

The father of an 11-year-old boy accused of trying to carjack and rob a woman at gunpoint Saturday is in jail on allegations of being a felon in possession of a firearm and endangering a child by allowing his son access to a firearm.

Joseph Daniel Charlton, 34, of outer Southeast Portland was arrested Tuesday, Dec. 11, after the Portland Police Bureau's Gun Task Force served a search warrant at his home, 16111 S.E. Alder St., and searched his vehicles, at about 10 a.m., said Sgt. Pete Simpson, Portland Police spokesman.

No additional firearms were recovered during the search.

In addition to the man's 11-year-old son, who is accused of Saturday's crimes, the Oregon Department of Human Services took two other children into protective custody. One is a 4-year-old girl who was at the home where the warrant was served. The other is a 9-year-old boy who was elsewhere. All three children are siblings.

Multnomah County Animal Control also removed a dog and a cat from the residence.

Charlton, who is a convicted felon, also was arrested on allegations being a felon in possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of a firearm. He is being held on $12,500 bail at the Multnomah County Detention Center. His arraignment is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 12.

Police are still investigating Saturday's robbery attempt in which Charlton's 11-year-old son and a 7-year-old boy are accused of of trying to carjack a 22-year-old woman who was sitting in her truck in a church parking lot at about 12:15 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8.

The Freedom Foursquare Church where the attempted carjacking took place is about a block away from Charlton's home.

The victim, Ami Garrett, 22, of Southeast Portland, said the boys told her they got the gun from their parents.

Garrett also credited another 11-year-old boy for police arriving at the scene of the attempted carjacking just as she was fleeing the scene. They were responding to the boy's report of another 11-year-old boy having a loaded gun near the 16000 block of Southeast Alder Street.

There, police contacted the two young suspects on the south side of the church.

The older boy ignored police who told him to keep his hands out of his pockets. Police grabbed his arms and in his pocket found a cocked and loaded .22-caliber handgun.

Garrett told police she'd been sitting in her truck in the church parking lot waiting for her parents, who were in church, when the boys approached her vehicle. They demanded her truck, and when she refused, they demanded her phone and money. When she questioned whether the gun was real, they reportedly showed her the bullets.

She eventually sped away while calling 9-1-1 and reported seeing the older boy aiming the gun at her as she took off.

The suspects were so young, they couldn't be taken to the Donald E. Long Juvenile Detention Home, where most juvenile crime suspects are lodged. The minimum age to be lodged there is 12, so police had to release them into the custody of their parents.

Gregory “Greg” Loren Gluth

June 28, 1958-Dec. 3, 2012

Gregory Loren Gluth died Monday, Dec. 3, after a battle with terminal cancer. He was 54.

A memorial service with full military honors will be held at noon Tuesday, Dec. 11, at Willamette National Cemetery.

Greg was born June 28, 1958, and graduated from Centennial High School. After 15 years in the U.S. Navy, Greg retired and returned to the Portland area, where he worked for Northwest Natural Gas.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Jeffrey Gluth.

Greg is survived by his daughter, Jennifer; son, Matthew; mother, June Marlene; brother, Steve; and sister, Lorene.

Dustin “Dusty” James McKinnis

Dec. 20, 1976-Nov. 29, 2012

Estacada resident Dustin “Dusty” James McKinnis died in an accident Thursday, Nov. 29. He was 35.

A memorial motorcycle run and celebration of Dusty’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, at Pleasant Home Saloon, 31637 S.E. Dodge Park Blvd., Gresham.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16, at Centennial Rebekah Lodge No. 147, 267 S.W. Second and Wade St., Estacada.

Dusty was born Dec. 20, 1976, in Portland to Leonard and Ellen McKinnis. Raised and educated in Estacada, Dusty worked in the construction industry as a plasterer.

Dusty loved motorcycles, hunting, fishing and spending time with his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Marcus McKinnis.

Dusty is survived by his wife, Debra Himmelspach; son, Dakota McKinnis; daughters Ashley McKinnis and Chandell Sanger; brother, Josh McKinnis; and parents.

Crown Memorial Center in Milwaukie is handling arrangements.

Michael “Mike” Dennis Gallaher

Nov. 2, 1939-Nov. 28, 2012

Gresham resident Michael “Mike” Dennis Gallaher died Friday, Nov. 28. He was 73.

A memorial service with military honors will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, at Willamette National Cemetery.

Mike was born Nov. 2, 1939, in Seattle to Dennis and Maryanne Gallaher. He was raised and educated in Seattle, enlisting with the U.S. Coast Guard after graduating from high school in 1958. He was honorably discharged in 1962.

Mike fell in love with Oregon at a young age and made it his home in the 1970s. He married Susan Rodriguez Nov. 19, 1984, and worked as a salesman at Renew Distributors for many years, retiring in 2003.

Mike is survived by wife; children, Mike Gallaher, Dana Gallaher, Dawn Gallaher, Chris Gallaher, Crystal Gallaher, Dennis Gallaher, Kelli Gallaher and Anthony Rodriguez; brother, Dennis Davis; sister, Patty Parsons; 23 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Paid obituaries

Orval S. Clay

Orval S. Clay passed away November 30, 2012 in Gresham, Oregon at the age of 94. He was born in Sunfield, Michigan to parents Charles and Lessie Clay, the fourth of six children. Raised in Michigan, Orval planned to set out for the East Coast after graduating from Kalamazoo College (MI) in 1940, but ended up out West instead. He attended Starr King Seminary College (CA), graduating in 1944.

In 1944, Orval married Jeannette (Keene) at her parent’s home in Berkley, CA. Together they shared 68 years of marriage and raised 5 children. Orval worked as a pastor for over 20 years at various churches. Following work in the ministry, he pursued a second career as an educator for Job Corps, retiring in 1983. Orval was a hardworking man, strong, intelligent and generous. Throughout his life he defined himself through work and words, taking a quiet pride in both. He took pleasure in providing for his family, and helping those around him. During their retirement years, Orval and his wife traveled through 49 of the 50 states.

Orval was preceded in death by his four brothers - Warren, Seth, Virgil and Joel, and sister - Florence; daughter Marjorie Bluder; daughter-in law Wylda and granddaughters Jeannette and Linda. He is survived by his wife, Jeannette; sons Chuck Clay of Alameda, CA, Keene (Peg Kenaga) Clay of Damascus, OR, Peter (Lynn Collier) Clay of Cornelius, OR, and Paul (Terri Rauscher) Clay of La Habra, CA; son in law Harry Bluder of Denver, CO; 11 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at Zion United Church of Christ in Gresham, OR on Saturday December 8, 2012 at 4:00pm. Zion has been their home church since 1968. To leave the family a message please visit www.batemancarrollfunerals.com. In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested donations to Zion United Church of Christ (2025 NE 23rd Gresham, OR 97030) or Snow-Cap (17805 SE Stark St Portland, Oregon).

No NBA team has ever shot the 3-pointer as poorly as the Trail Blazers did Monday night at the Rose Garden.

Portland set a league record for futility by missing all 20 attempts from beyond the arc — and still won going away 92-74 against a Toronto team that ought to at least be a bit ashamed.

“I know — we broke the record,” Portland coach Terry Stotts said after the Blazers (9-12) handed the Raptors (4-18) their 11th consecutive road loss and their 11th in 12 games overall. “For that record to be broken in a win is even more impressive.”

Or, at least, head-scratching.

The previous record for most missed 3-point shots in a game without a make was 18 by New York against New Jersey in 2010.

“I didn’t notice what was going on until the fourth quarter,” said Portland’s Luke Babbitt, who contributed five misses to the record performance. “What’s amazing about it is we could have a decisive victory like that even with it. That’s actually a good sign.”

Many of the Blazers were oblivious to their march to history Monday night.

“Wow. I didn’t know that. We didn’t make no 3s tonight?” center J.J. Hickson said. “That’s crazy. But it’s all good. I wish I’d have shot one. I’d have probably made it.”

Hickson didn’t miss from 2-point range, though, going 7 for 7 en route to a 16-point, 11-rebound performance for his 11th double-double of the season.

LaMarcus Aldridge wore the look of a franchise player for the Blazers with 30 points and 12 rebounds, going 11 for 19 from the field and 8 for 8 from the free-throw line.

“We knew (the Raptors) were coming in at the end of a (five-game) road trip, playing the second of back-to-backs (after a 102-84 loss to the L.A. Clippers Sunday at Staples Center), and hadn’t won much on the road,” Portland’s All-Star power forward said. “We wanted to come out and take the life from them and play solid.”

The Blazers shot poorly from the field (.404) and in unprecedented fashion from beyond the 3-point stripe, but they took care of the ball (seven turnovers), ruled the paint and defended well.

This was a game that could have been billed “The Replacements.” Portland went without starters Nicolas Batum (back) and Wesley Matthews (hip), the latter missing the first game of his NBA career after 250 straight games in his 3 1/2 seasons.

Toronto opened without starting small forward Linas Kleiza (knee). By the time the game ended, the Raptors were without starting power forward Andrea Bargnani (elbow), starting point guard Kyle Lowry (back) and finally reserve forward Amir Johnson, who put on quite a show before escorted off the floor following his ejection in the third quarter.

Johnson got into it with referee David Jones, who quickly tossed the one-time University of Oregon player with a pair of technicals. In a hissy fit, Johnson threw his mouthpiece at Jones, hitting the official in the back before being herded to the locker room by coaches and teammates. A suspension surely looms.

“I don’t know what happened with Amir,” said Toronto coach Dwane Casey, who had plenty of other things to worry about on this night. “He kind of lost his mind there a little bit.”

The Raptors shot .351 from the field and were 3 for 21 from 3-point range. All that bad shooting from long distance seemed infectious, though Stotts understandably took it as good defense on the Blazers’ part.

The Raptors “were undermanned, weren’t at full strength, but it was still a really good team win,” Stotts said.

Stotts started rookie Victor Claver at small forward and 10th-year pro Sasha Pavlovic — a natural small forward — at shooting guard. Claver missed his first six shots and finished 2 for 12 from the field. The 6-7 Pavlovic — who carried a 1.8-point scoring average into the game — missed all five of his 3-point attempts but contributed 10 points, seven rebounds and five assists in 42 minutes. He also had primary defensive responsibility for DeMar DeRozan, who led Toronto with 20 points.

“I wanted to have a young guy and a veteran” start in place of Batum and Matthews, Stotts explained. “Victor has been on the short end of the inactive list but has gone about his business very professionally. He deserved an opportunity, and I liked him with the starters. His shots were good shots; he just didn’t make them.

“Sasha was an easy pick to start. I liked his all-around game. He made DeRozan work for his points.”

It was an odd night of NBA basketball, with so many starters out of action, Johnson’s epic meltdown and the Blazers’ etching their way into history.

“I don’t want to make records like that,” Aldridge said, grinning. “I knew we hadn’t made one (3-pointer). Toward the end, we were trying to get Nolan (Smith) to take one, and he airballed it, so that wasn’t even good for us. Hey, as long as we win.”

NOTES: Portland’s next outing is Thursday against San Antonio, third in a six-game homestand. ... Hickson said it wasn’t the best field-goal shooting performance of his career. “I went 12 for 12 in my first game in college” at North Carolina State, he said. “Can’t remember who it was against.” ... Portland held a 54-26 advantage in points in the paint. “Is that a misprint?” Stotts asked. “I’m speechless on that.” ... Portland’s Damian Lillard had the worst shooting night of his career, going 2 for 14 from the field, including 0 for 5 from 3-point territory. The rookie point guard finished with nine points, six assists, five rebounds and two turnovers in 36 minutes. “He had a tough night shooting the ball, but he just keeps playing,” Stotts said. “I don’t think he’s fazed by it.”

Stotts and Casey spent nine years coaching together — six years under George Karl in Seattle, three under Rick Carlisle in Dallas. “Terry’s one of my best friends in coaching,” Casey said. “When we walk onto the floor, it’s like playing your brother. You want to beat him. We run a lot of the same stuff. We use a lot of the same terminology, the same philosophy defensively. We know each other inside and out.” Said Stotts, with a laugh: “We’re both bad defensive teams right now, so we have that going for us, too. We have a great friendship and relationship.”

Jefferson High grad Terrence Ross, a rookie with Toronto, had two points on 1-for-5 shooting in 13 minutes off the bench. Ross went into the game averaging 5.5 points on .386 shooting. “Like most rookies, he’s had good days and bad days,” Casey said. “He’s a sponge. He’s learning. He has big-time athletic ability. He can shoot. He’s getting better every day, every week. He has to work on his consistency. Defensively, he’s much better than I anticipated. He has excellent hands, anticipates the cutter on the weakside, and is an above average rebounder. He was a good pickup for us. His future is great.”

Casey, on Lillard, the rookie out of Weber State: “It’s almost like he glides with the ball. He has a high basketball IQ. The thing you love about him more than anything else is he plays with a chip on his shoulder. He’s one of those underdogs who went to a small school who is out to prove to everybody he’s an NBA player. He’s had a fantastic season so far, and hee’s even a better kid than a player.” ... Batum is shooting .421 from the field, but has a streak of 10 straight games in which he failed to shoot 50 percent from the field. He is 33 for 100 (.330) over that stretch.

kerryeggers@portlandtribune.com

Twitter: @kerryeggers

Barlow High junior Nick Thorne swam three personal-best times at the Junior Nationals meet in Knoxville, Tenn., last weekend. His highest finish came in the 100-meter freestyle where he placed 19th out of 69 swimmers with a time of 45.79 seconds.

He dropped four seconds off his lifetime best in the 200 freestyle, finishing 26th overall in 1:40.87, missing a spot in the C-heat finals by .05 hundredths. Thorne dropped 2.5 seconds off his best time in the 200 medley and finished 29th out of 133 swimmers with a time of 1:53.98.

Corbett High graduate Colin Eaton competed at the Senior Nationals in Texas a week earlier, placing 23rd in the 50 free (20.30) and 21st in the butterfly (49.27). He swam against Olympic medalist Ryan Lochte in the prelims of the freestyle sprint race.

Eaton has signed a letter of intent to swim at the University of Michigan beginning with the 2013-14 season.

Don Carter returns to coach his alma mater at Corbett, while Damascus Christian and Portland Lutheran chase spots in the Valley 10 bracket

Damascus Christian boys basketball coach Terry Calhoun has spent 49 years on the sidelines in Oregon high school gyms, and this season may be one of his most challenging.

Calhoun, in his fifth season at Damascus, returns just two players from last year’s varsity lineup — those players, Luke Jackson and Austin Wood, combined to contribute about five points per game. That leaves Calhoun to find a way to boost point production with a squad that spent most of last season coming off the bench for the jayvee.

The leading scorer so far this season is junior Eddie Zopf, who served as the team manager last year.

“Every year is just as exciting as the one before — coaching is just a lot of fun,” Calhoun said. “These kids have been working hard all summer. We may take some lumps until we learn to take care of the ball better, but there is a lot of room for growth.”

Jackson directs the attack from the point guard spot and is also a scoring threat from behind the arc.

“He’s a heady kid, who handles the ball well and can get us into our offense,” Calhoun said. “We don’t have much size and aren’t going to get a lot of cheap points, so it boils down to taking good care of the ball.”

Calhoun sees Columbia Christian and City Christian as the favorites in the Valley 10 race. Columbia won last year’s title with a perfect 16-0 run through league.

The Eagles biggest loss is the graduation of sharp-shooter Eric Rauch, who is playing D3 basketball this year in Washington.

PORTLAND LUTHERAN BLUE JAYS

The Blue Jays return largely in tact from last season and hope to boost their win total and find a spot in the league playoffs come February.

“We have a handful of returners and that should really pay off,” Portland Lutheran coach Chad Rush said. “Our goal is certainly to finish in that top five and get back to districts.”

Jonathan Parrish is the team’s leading scorer, while point guard Chris Ek Juarez directed the offense as a freshman.

“Chris is a real quick player, who does a lot of things that you can’t teach,” Rush said.

Nick Lommasson brings a 6-foot-3 body to the paint, while forward Andrew Hinkel is another scoring threat from the perimeter.

“We’re going to try to push tempo, get out and go, and get some easy baskets in transition,” Rush said.

CORBETT CARDINALS

The Cardinals return only one player from last year’s squad that finished in the top half of the 3A Lewis & Clark League with a 17-7 record. But new coach, and Corbett alum, Don Carter expects this year’s batch of new faces to stay in the playoff hunt.

“There’s a lot of energy and enthusiasm with these guys,” Carter said. “We’re fast and can get up and down the floor. Our goal is to run, run, run, run and whoever scores the most points at the end of the night wins.”

Carter moves into the head coaching seat after spending last year as an assistant in the program. He graduated from Corbett in 1995 and went on to a college playing career in Montana.

Seniors Matt Hsu and Lucas O’Connell hold down the backcourt.

“Our seniors are in those key positions that you need to be able to get the ball down the floor,” Carter said.

Hunter Raglione is another scoring threat for the Cardinals, while junior John Ferek gives the team some size at 6-feet-4.

“Hunter is strong to the hole, can beat people off the dribble and drill deep 3s,” Carter said. “He has the entire toolbox and is our biggest threat to put the ball in the hole.”

Sports Editor David Ball can be reached at 503-492-5125 or by email at dball@theoutlookonline.com.

Jacob Tyler Roberts, the 22-year-old identified as the Clackamas Town Center mall shooter, likes shooting, sushi, “Goodfellas” and The Beatles.

So says his Facebook page, which on Wednesday morning gave a glimpse into his life as a typical — or not-so-typical young adult.

He’s posted photos of himself at the shooting range, as well as getting burned by a cigarette on his earlobe.

“I'm the kind of person that is going to do what I want,” Roberts wrote in his Facebook bio. “There is no reason for another person to tell you what to do, I'm the conductor of my choo choo train.”

Roberts also jokes that he’s an alcoholic and calls himself an adrenaline junkie as well as a “pretty funny person that takes sarcasm to the max.”

Roberts’ other “likes” include: the Beastie Boys, the bands The Devil Wears Prada, Yelawolf and Rusko; movies including “Requiem for a Dream,” “Across the Universe” and “Goodfellas;” and popular TV shows including “South Park,” “Family Guy,” “Tosh.0,” “Dexter” and “Breaking Bad.”

For books, he writes: “I dont (sic) read.”

His other interests include shooting, sushi, BMX, camping, sleeping, hanging out with friends, spending money, and rafting. He was a baseball fan; his team was the Pittsburgh Pirates

Roberts’ friend, Ashley Meyer of Milwaukie, posted Roberts’ Facebook profile picture as her own on Wednesday, with the message: “RIP Jake! 3-6-1990 - 12-11-2012.” Her comment reads: “Despite all that I've been thru, the one thing I know, is watching someone you love hurt so much, absolutely kills me. I would give the world to take your place and see you happy.”

Here is Roberts’ full Facebook bio: “Hey what's up guys my names Jake and I'm an alcoholic... Lol just kidding. If you were to ask someone that knows me they would probably say that I am a pretty funny person that takes sarcasm to the max. I'm the kind of person that is going to do what I want. There is no reason for another person to tell you what to do, I'm the conductor of my choo choo train. I may be young but I have lived one crazy life so far. My friends are my family and I don't think that will ever change. I have done a lot for myself in the past year some good and some bad but I still press on. I like hanging out with my friends and having a good time maybe get a little drunk every now and then. I like to think of myself as a bit of an adrenaline junkie... Yup that's right I'm a junkie lol. But I'm just looking to meet new people and see the world. Right now I work at the most badass gyro shop in town. I am one of the few people that can say I love my job and actually mean it. But if you want to know more about me send me a message. What's up let's party.”

Clackamas Town Center 'tragic' scene as two people are killed, gunman takes his own life

A West Linn father is one of the two people who were shot and killed during a Tuesday afternoon attack at Clackamas Town Center's food court area.

One other person was seriously wounded. The gunman is also dead from a self-inflicted gunshot, according to the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office.

Steve Forsyth owned a marketing agency in Portland and formerly worked for Entercom Communications, which owns radio stations in the city. He is also a 1985 Lake Oswego High School graduate.

He was at the mall where he owns a store at the time of the shooting with his wife and two children. He recently opened a kiosk, Coastoms, at the mall selling handmade wooden coasters. The kiosk was located near the Macy's Home Store.

The family of Forsyth released a statement Wednesday morning. It read:

“Steven Mathew Forsyth was a loving husband, father of two children, son, brother, uncle, youth sports coach and friend to the many people who had the privilege to meet him.

Steve was one of the most passionate people with a true entrepreneurial spirit that drove him to start his business, Coastoms. He had a great sense of humor and a zest for life. He had vision and a belief in others that brought great joy and value to many lives.

He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.”

Dave Rogoway, of Lake Oswego, knew Forsyth from working with him at Entercom. He called Forsyth a model father and husband, adding that he was “a really bright fellow” and involved with his children.

Several people at KPAM radio also knew and worked with Forsyth. In fact, Terry Boyd, of Terry Boyd’s World, was visiting with Forsyth at his kiosk in the mall less than an hour before the shooting occurred.

Boyd had worked with Forsyth for 10 years at Entercom and was currently working in a new project with him. Boyd had stopped by the mall to check out the kiosk, which Forysth had opened just a few days prior.

“Steve is one of those people who without any effort at all makes you want to be a better person,” Boyd said. “He’s just a great guy. He lights up the room and he always puts others before him.”

Boyd recalled his energy, spirit and drive.

“I never ever heard that guy utter a bad word or a negative comment,” Boyd said.

Boyd said Forsyth was active in his church and was a martial artist, and he suspects Forsyth was acting heroically during the shooting.

“Chances are pretty good he was doing the right thing,” he said.

KPAM former manager David Saxe of West Linn knew him for about 20 years.

"Steve was very well respected in the whole media community. He was energetic and passionate about life. He was a great family guy,” Saxe said. "It's just very, very difficult to understand how this could happen."

"Steven Mathew Forsyth was a loving husband, father of two children, son, brother, uncle, youth sports coach and friend to the many people who had the privilege to meet him," read a statement from the family.

"Steve was one of the most passionate people with a true entrepreneurial spirit that drove him to start his business, Coastoms. He had a great sense of humor and a zest for life. He had vision and a belief in others that brought great joy and value to many lives. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him."

Kaiser nurse

Northeast Portlander Cindy Ann Yuille, 54, a nurse on the Kaiser Permenente hospice care team, was also killed in the attack.

She worked at Kaiser for 16 years, and her husband is also a nurse on the hospice care team.

"Cindy was a beloved caregiver for the kind and compassionate support she provided for patients and families at times of impending loss and need," said Kaiser spokesman Dave Northfield. "Our hearts are with Cindy’s husband and family as they absorb this tragedy and grieve."

Northfield said that for co-workers are mourning her "heartbreaking" loss, Kaiser has made available counseling services as they struggle.

"Cindy was everybody's friend," her family wrote in a statement. "She was a wonderful person who was very caring and put others first."

One young woman wounded in the shooting was 22-year-old Kristina Shevchenko. She was taken by Life Flight to Oregon Health and Science University Hospital, where she was listed in serious condition.

Locked in for hours

The attack began at about 3:27 p.m., sending nearly 10,000 people scrambling for exits inside the two-level, 1.2 million-square-foot shopping center in suburban Clackamas County, about 12 miles from downtown Portland.

Only one gunman was suspected in the shooting, according to sheriff's office spokesmen. Deputies said that at about 4:45 p.m. the shooter's body and weapon were found inside the shopping center.

The gunman, 22-year-old Jacob Tyler Roberts of 7324 S.E. 84th Ave., Portland, apparently died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police said that he parked his 1996 Volkswagen Jetta outside of Macy's, ran through the store and opened fire in the food court. After his gun jammed, he ran down a nearby service stairway and killed himself, according to initial police investigation.

Roberts was wearing a hockey-style face mask and a vest to hold extra ammunition for an AR-15 semi-automatic weapon he had stolen from a friend, police report. Law enforcement personnel found him dead in the stairwell 22 minutes after the first 911 call.

Sgt. Adams Phillips said law enforcement officers did not fire any shots during the incident. He added there was no apparent relationship between the shooter and victims, although the investigation is ongoing.

Pamplin Media Group reporters Lori Hall, Steve Law and Raymond Rendleman contributed to this news story.

Jesse Lee Snyder is accused of stealing more than $40,000 of electronics from the school

A 31-year-old man who works as a custodian is facing criminal charges after detectives linked him to multiple thefts from Reynolds High School, police said.

Sgt. Steve Bevens said detectives arrested Jesse Snyder as he showed up for work Wednesday afternoon.

Bevens, a police spokesman, said Snyder had heroin on him when he was arrested.

Andrea Watson, a spokeswoman for the school district said the district hired Snyder on Oct. 24, 2011. Watson said that the district will be starting the disciplinary process, which likely will include termination.

Snyder worked as the afternoon-shift custodian, Watson said.

Police believe that he used that position to his advantage because he had access to the school up until 11 p.m., Bevens said.

Watson said several high-value items were reported missing this fall when teachers returned from their summer break. She said the items included televisions, laser projectors, Apple computers and digital cameras.

Watson said at the end of each school year electronics are inventoried. When the teachers returned for this school year they reported several items missing.

Police said Snyder started stealing the items over the summer and continued up until Monday. Officials estimated the loss of property to the school to be anywhere from $40,000 to $70,000.

Bevens said once Snyder stole the items from the school, he would drive them to a local pawn shop in Southeast Portland in exchange for cash. Officers believe Snyder was stealing the items to feed his drug habit.

Police were able to link Snyder to the pawned items because he used his driver’s license as a form of ID while in the pawn shops, Bevens said.

Working with the school resource officer from Reynolds High School, detectives said they were able to see Snyder enter a classroom and then leave a short time later with several concealed items, Bevens said. The video footage shows Snyder loading the items — which are believed to be electronics — into his car, Bevens said.

When detectives questioned Snyder, he confessed to the crimes, Bevens said.

Officers went to a home in the 9200 block of Southeast Harrison Street in Portland to look for evidence, Bevens said. According to police, they found several items inside the basement that they believe belong to Reynolds High School. Officers said Snyder was living at the home and used it to store some of the stolen items.

No one answered the door at the home when KOIN-TV stopped by Thursday morning.

Police arrested Snyder on 11 counts of second-degree burglary, one count of theft by receiving, one count of first-degree theft and one count of possession of heroin.

According to court records, Snyder is scheduled to appear for an arraignment in Multnomah County Court on Thursday.

Detectives spent much of Thursday looking for another suspect who maybe tied to the case, Bevens said. The second suspect is believed to have helped Snyder load the electronics into his vehicle, Bevens said.

story contributed by Brent Weisberg of KOIN-TV.

Drake's 7-Dees garden center is using colored flocking for this year's crop of Christmas trees

For decades, folks have flocked to Drake’s 7-Dees Nursery for yard and garden advice. Each December, some return to pick up their holiday greenery.

But this year, people are flocking to the 38-year old nursery on Southeast Stark Street for another reason.

“We can’t leave Mother Nature alone,” said Chris Cromwell, manager at 7-Dees, laughing. “I was looking through a catalog and saw colored flock and thought ‘Why not?’ It isn’t a trend; we just wanted to be a little different. And it does set us apart.”

Outside the main entrance to the nursery stands a line of once evergreen sentinels, proudly displaying what can be done with a Christmas tree, a little imagination and colored flocking. Green and yellow, orange and black, red, purple — the trees are far from traditional, but make a statement nonetheless.

When 7-Dees opted to offer less conventional flocked trees, they anticipated selling about a dozen, Cromwell said. But given fan loyalty to sports teams and those seeking to make a stunning decorating statement with their Christmas tree, sales for the trees has been somewhat of a surprise.

“Response has been good,” Cromwell said. “We’ve sold somewhere between 30 and 40, but most people seem to be buying them for a second tree in the house.”

Cromwell admitted the nursery has sold more “Duck” trees than “Beaver” trees, adding that the company plays no favorites with the longstanding in-state rivalry. But customers have been quick to point out that their order for a colored tree isn’t necessarily a nod to Oregon’s two bowl-bound teams.

“We had a customer who wanted a green and yellow tree because he’s a Green Bay Packer fan,” Cromwell said. “And the black and orange could also be for the Cincinnati Bengals. We’ve even had a few people ask about red and black for the Trailblazers. It’s funny because 50 percent of the people love the colored trees and 50 percent hate them. But they all talk about them.”

7-Dees flocks nearly 500 Christmas trees annually, Cromwell said, usually in white. Those stumped for ideas on how to accentuate a flocked tree need only wander through the garden center to see gorgeous examples of decorated trees worthy of a magazine cover.

But tweaking with Mother Nature isn’t reserved for just evergreens. For years, 7-Dees has been known for its “painted” Poinsettias. Designers use either a floral spray paint or floral dye to embellish the leaves on a Poinsettia to produce blues, pinks or two-toned salmon colored plants. The result is a glittering variation on a traditional holiday decoration that has yielded a loyal following.

“People come back every year for their painted Poinsettia,” Cromwell said. “They get kind of upset if they come in and they’re not ready yet.”

Price tag on a flocked tree depends on the height and variety of the tree. Costs range anywhere between $40 for a three-foot tree to $230 for a 10-footer and includes the stand. There is no additional cost for colored flocking, however.

The struggling economy has had an effect on the Christmas tree industry, Cromwell said, causing customers to be a little more cautious with the expense of one of the symbols of the holiday. But most people, he added, aren’t compromising to the point of not having a tree at all.

“A lot of people are downsizing the size of their tree this year,” Cromwell said. “They used to buy a 10-footer, but now, they’re buying an 8-foot tree. I think people are being more careful with their money because their tree is a yearly expense.”

Fast Facts:

Who: Drake’s 7-Dees Landscaping and Garden Center

Where: 16519 S.E. Stark St., Portland

What: full-service landscaping and garden design center; seasonal advice and nursery services

Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

For more information: 503-256-0087.

Regional law enforcement agencies reacted to the Clackamas Town Center shooting with varying strategies.

Portland police increased patrols around shopping malls and business districts with high amounts of retail stores and movie theaters in response to the Tuesday incident.

According to police, the patrols will continue through the remained of the holiday season, although there is no information to suggest that a similar incident will occur in Portland.

Spokesman Sgt. Pete Simpson said the bureau made the decision on its own without waiting to receive requests from business owners.

"It's never too late to be safe," Simpson said.

On Wednesday afternoon, Wanda Rosenbarger, General Manager of the Lloyd Center in Northeast Portland, issued a statement which said, "It’s always a tragedy when human life is taken and people are injured. Like the rest of the nation, the associates of Lloyd Center are holding the victims of the shooting incident at Clackamas Town Center and their families in our thoughts and hearts.

"Our top priority will always be the safety of our guests and associates. Although you can never completely control what may happen, we actively partner with local law enforcement and have emergency procedures and protocols in place that we review regularly with our associates. "

Hillsboro training exercises

Beaverton police have not been requested to provide additional patrols around the city’s only mall, the Cedar Mills Crossing, but will probably spend additional time in the area, according to Mike Rowe, the bureau’s public information officer.

The Hillsboro Police Department always increases patrols around retail centers after Thanksgiving because of the greater number of holiday season shoppers, says spokesman Lt. Mike Rouches. Commanders will meet to discuss whether the patrols needs to be increased even more, Rouches says.

Hillsboro police also conducts active-shooter training exercises at different locations three times a year, Rouches says, most recently at Tuality Community Hospital on Nov. 14 in conjunction with the hospital and Metro West ambulance service.

The Oregon Department of Justice is offering emergency financial compensation to help pay for counseling for people who were at Clackamas Town Center at the time of the Dec. 11 shooting rampage.

The department’s Crime Victims Services Division has set up an expedited assistance process that will help pay for at least 10 counseling sessions for people who were at the scene. A link to the application form is at the division’s website— http://www.doj.state.or.us/victims/pages/index.aspx

“It’s hard to imagine the trauma and terror of witnessing a masked gunman indiscriminately firing an automatic weapon through a mall full of holiday shoppers,” Attorney General Rosenblum said. “Our Crime Victims Services Division is well positioned to get people the help they may need.”

The central mission of the Crime Victims Services Division is to reduce the impact of crime on victims’ lives. The division’s Crime Victims Compensation program, created in 1978, helps pay medical and counseling costs associated with violent crime. It can also pay up to $5,000 in funeral costs for homicide victims.

The division receives almost 6,000 applications for help each year. In the 12 months ended Sept. 30, it paid out about $4.5 million. The division gets its money from federal grants and from restitution and fines paid by criminals. It also gets a share of all punitive damages paid by litigants in Oregon courts.

Applicants for the counseling will be contacted by the state. Crime Victims Compensation will generally cover the cost of counseling not paid for by insurance or employers.

There is no more normal or comforting sort of place than the interior of Clackamas Town Center, where the background music is muted, the trolley weaves among shoppers and daylight floods through ample skylights overhead.

Nor is there a more joyful time to be at the mall — despite the holiday hubbub — than the second week of December, when shoppers have kicked into full purchasing mode as they work their way through their Christmas gift lists.

As we all now know, it was just such a day at the town center on Tuesday when a disturbed young man stormed through the mall, wearing a mask, and opened fire with a semi-automatic weapon. His rampage destroyed lives, as well as our collective holiday sentiments of peace and joy.

When horrific events occur in the most benign places, we all are left jarred, reeling and asking why. It’s much too early to attempt to address that question in this case. But even when all information is made available about the shooter and his victims, the odds are that we still won’t know exactly what triggered this particular person to inflict violence upon others and himself.

It is wholly unsatisfying, however, just to say such tragedies are a risk of modern life we all must accept. Even with limited knowledge of what drives young men — and they are always young men, it seems — to perform such senseless acts, we can identify root causes and think about prevention.

The questions we must explore include issues of mental health, the availability of assault-style weapons and the potential ability — with better technology — to make our public places safer while also not encouraging a police-state atmosphere.

This week, all of Oregon is mourning for what was lost at Clackamas Town Center on Tuesday. Our hearts ache for family members of the victims, and we lament the shattered illusion of suburban safety. At a time intended for peace, joy and fellowship, we are left with instead with shock and grief. As we move forward, though, it is important also to think about how to decrease the chances of such events occurring in our community ever again.

Undersized J.J. Hickson averages double-double, thanks to work rate

Growing up an only child in Atlanta, J.J. Hickson learned to do a lot of things for himself.

That self-reliance has served him well in his role as the Trail Blazers’ starting center.

Coach Terry Stotts calls Hickson’s number on offense about as often as he does 9-1-1, which come to think of it, wouldn’t be a bad nickname for Portland’s man in the middle.

Have emergency, will travel.

As the fifth option on offense for the Blazers — who play host to San Antonio tonight at the Rose Garden — Hickson has done the dirty work for his team and has done it well this season. The 6-9, 240-pound post man is averaging 11.4 points and 10.1 rebounds, scoring mostly on put-backs and chances around the rim. In Monday’s 92-74 win over Toronto, Hickson collected 16 points and 11 boards, making all seven shots from the field.

“J.J. would like to be more involved in the offense, but he’s so productive in his role,” Stotts says. “He has accepted it, and he needs to, because that’s what we need from him.”

Hickson isn’t complaining.

“I could play a lot of different ways,” he says. “On this team, what’s going to keep me on the floor is doing what I’m doing. I’m going to keep doing what Coach (Stotts) asks of me and try to make the most of my opportunities.”

Though undersized in the post, Hickson ranks 12th among NBA players at his position in efficiency ratings, ahead of such centers as Marcin Gortat, Omer Asik, Chris Kaman, Nikola Pekovic, Roy Hibbert — yes, the same guy the Blazers offered a boatload of money on the free-agent market last summer — and DeAndre Jordan. Hickson is averaging fewer minutes (28.1) than any of the dozen centers ahead of him on the efficiency list, too.

Hickson is tied for ninth in the NBA in rebounding and averages 3.9 offensive boards per game — seventh among NBA players, fifth among the league’s centers. He also ranks fifth in the league in field-goal percentage (.553) and is tied for seventh in double-doubles with 11.

“One of my strengths is to not have plays called for me but to hit the boards, be active,” Hickson says. “If you call my number, I’m ready, too. It’s a matter of being in the right spot and making myself available to make basketball plays.”

Last season, Hickson, 24, averaged 15.1 points and 8.3 rebounds and shot .543 in 19 games (10 starts) for Portland after being acquired on waivers on March 15 following his release by Sacramento. His poor play with the lowly Kings through the first half of last season was a surprise given that he had averaged 13.8 points and 8.7 rebounds in 2010-11, his third year with a Cleveland team that had quickly become non-competitive with the departure of LeBron James.

Acquired by Sacramento via trade in the offseason, Hickson began the season as the Kings’ starting power forward but, by a few months later, he had fallen out of their rotation. Kings coaches saw a center in a power forward’s body and a player with bad hands, too.

Hickson offers no excuses and no criticism of the Kings, either.

“It just didn’t work out for me there,” he says with a shrug. “Now I’m here, and it’s working out for me. I love the city, I love the fans, I love the atmosphere here.”

Portland chose to not immediately retain Hickson after last season, allowing him to go into unrestricted free agency as it pursued other options such as Hibbert. On July 13, the Blazers retained him with a one-year, $4-million contract that allows both sides to re-evaluate the situation after season’s end. He says he never seriously considered going elsewhere.

“I’m not saying I wasn’t worried, but I was confident I’d be on a team somewhere this season,” Hickson says. “Portland put the offer on the table, and it was a no-brainer.”

Portland took center Meyers Leonard with the 11th pick in the June draft, knowing he wasn’t yet ready to be a starter in the league. In the interim, Hickson has filled the void well.

“His energy, his pursuit of the ball his athleticism ... when he brings it — and he does most of the time — it helps us at both ends,” Stotts says. “On this team, he is unique with that skill set.”

James Edward Hickson grew up in a single-parent family, the son of Kenna Myers, who died of liver failure when he was 10. His grandmother, Marie Myers, took over raising the child from there. Money wasn’t plentiful, but they made do.

“She worked a couple of jobs to make sure we had the bills paid and I had clothes on my back,” he says.

Hickson gained a spirit of independence from his mother, his grandmother and others in his life during those years.

“The people who raised me, the people I grew up around, they wouldn’t let me fail,” he says. “They wouldn’t let themselves fail. I was a sponge. I soaked up everything people around me did.”

One of those people was a father figure, Desmond Eastmond, his AAU coach during his high school years.

“He helped with a lot of things, on and off the court,” Hickson says. “He was a big part of my life, and still is.”

Life wasn’t always easy. Hickson admits he had a stubborn side as a child.

“I wanted to do things my way,” he says with a grin. “I didn’t get in a lot of trouble, but I could have. Luckily, the people around me steered me in the right direction.”

One of the top-ranked prep stars in the country, Hickson narrowed his college choices to Tennessee, Arizona and Florida before signing with North Carolina State. After shooting .591, averaging 14.8 points and ranking second in the Atlantic Coast Conference with 8.5 rebounds as a freshman, he went into the NBA draft and was taken by Cleveland with the 19th pick in 2008.

“My dream was to get to the NBA no matter how long it took,” Hickson says. “It was a blessing I was able to go to college for one year and leave early.”

With his first NBA contract, Hickson was able to buy a home and a car for his grandmother.

“She doesn’t have to work anymore,” he says. “Everybody’s happy.”

Hickson lives alone in a condo in the Pearl District and doesn’t mind his periods of solitude. As he looks back, having no siblings had its advantages.

“When I was younger, I didn’t think so,” he says. “Now that I’m older and much more mature, I think it helped me that I was an only child.

“I have no problem being in my house all by myself and not going crazy in this Portland rain. It helped me learn more about myself. I’m alone a lot, but I get along with the people I need to get along with. I’m just thankful I’m healthy and breathing and have good people in my life. I’m a basic, average guy.”

A basic, average guy who stands 6-9 and pounds the boards better than most of his peers in the NBA these days, that is.

After this season, Hickson will have an opportunity to sign a contract that offers him more years and more stability. He hopes that will be with the Blazers, but he knows there are no guarantees.

“Who wouldn’t want to sign a long-term deal?” he says. “I hope it’s here, but no one knows what the future holds. All I can do is control my play on the court, and everything else will fall into place.”

kerryeggers@portlandtribune.com

Twitter: @kerryeggers

Portland Lutheran is left a player short down the stretch, but holds off Waldorf for its first Valley 10 league win

MILWAUKIE — Hollywood uses cardboard cutouts to fill in crowd shots in sports movies. On Tuesday night, Portland Lutheran girls basketball coach John Roady would have settled for those kind of extras, as foul trouble left him looking at an empty bench.

The Blue Jays carried a double-digit lead most of the way before seeing host Portland Waldorf rush back in the fourth quarter when Lutheran saw starter after starter head to the sideline after fouling out.

With three minutes to play, guard Gabi Rush was the only starter left. To make matters worse, the Blue Jays brought only eight players to the game, leaving them one short down the stretch.

“Waldorf sensed we were in trouble and it was like pirahna,” Roady said. “They forced some turnovers and hit a few shots and made it close. Luckily, we had an 18-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.”

Portland Lutheran held on for a 44-43 win despite putting up just a single point, a free throw by Lauren Lowrey, in the final period.

The Blue Jays’ Morgan Sprengle pulled down a key rebound after a Waldorf miss with :06 on the clock to keep it a two-possession lead.

Waldorf did just that and got the ball back with three seconds left. Roady had his players walk to the far end of the court and simply stand there as the final seconds ticked away.

“I didn’t want any chance of seeing a four-point play — we simply couldn’t end up in overtime,” Roady said.

The strategy proved sound when Waldorf sank a half-court 3 at the buzzer, leaving them one point short of tying the game.

Portland Lutheran (3-2) plays at Open Door (3-1) at 6 p.m. Friday.

Look for extended game coverage in the Friday, Dec. 14, print edition of The Outlook.

The Eagles are off to a 4-0 start with some impressive early season wins over bigger schools

You know you’ve built a powerhouse program when winning the regular season league title and ending the year with 23 wins is a disappointment. But that was how it seemed for the Damascus Christian girls last season when its basketball season was cut short after a four-point loss to St. Paul left the Eagles one win short of making the trip to Baker City for the 1A state tournament.

Damascus graduated just one starter from last year’s roster and appears ready to load the bus for a long road trip in March.

Leading the way is the backcourt combination of junior Val Wakefield and her younger sister Ana Wakefield — a sophomore. Also returning is junior Karissa Cox, along with seniors Lindi Burgeson and Damaris Luna.

“We are a deeper and better team — no doubt,” Damascus head coach Dave Wakefield said. “This lineup gives me a lot of flexibility, and anyone of these kids can step up and hit 12 to 15 points, easily.”

Added to the mix is freshman Hannah Forrar, who is expected to be a regular in the rotation in her first season, along with senior Cierra Warren who came out late after weighing club volleyball for the winter.

The Eagles are off to a 4-0 start with their closest wins coming against a pair of 3A opponents. Damascus also has a 48-34 road win over a Perrydale squad expected to be among 1A’s best on its early-season resume.

PORTLAND LUTHERAN BLUE JAYS

It was just a few years ago that Blue Jays’ coach John Roady routinely finished games without five players on the court. The roster was small, and subs weren’t an option.

This season, the Blue Jays have a roster stacked with enough talent that Roady expects his team to be playing in the Valley 10 bracket at the end of the year.

Directing the Lutheran attack is sophomore guard Danica Roady — the coaches’ daugher who has been playing since kindergarten. She earned all-league honors her rookie season and was the Blue Jay’s top scorer.

“She’s pretty aggressive and is a good ball handler,” John Roady said. “She’s fundamentally sound and knows how to find her spots on the court.”

The backcourt also includes sophomore Gabi Rush and juniors Lauren Lowrey and Ayde Alvarado, as the Blue Jays look to play at a fast pace.

Junior Kaitlin Howard, a middle blocker in volleyball, brings her 6-foot-2 frame to the paint. She set the school record for blocked shots last year.

“A lot of the size in our league graduated, so there really is no one dominant post player right now,” Roady said. “Kaitlin is someone who can change shots with her defensive presence down low.”

The Blue Jays are off to a 3-2 start, averaging better than 40 points per game.

OPEN DOOR HUSKIES

The Huskies slipped into the Valley 10 playoffs as the last qualifier in 2012, but hope to move up a few spots for a better tourney seed this season. Powering the team is sophomore guard Emily Sunderland, who put up 25 points in the team’s win earlier this week against Columbia Christian — last year’s Valley 10 tournament champion.

“She does well controlling the floor and running the offense,” Open Door coach Elaine Powers said.

Open Door’s biggest challenge appears to be depth with only six players listed on the roster — none of them seniors.

“We’re a young and scrappy team,” Powers said. “I feel like we have a chance at every loose ball. No one is afraid to go after anything.”

The Huskies have found early-season success going 3-1 so far with their only loss coming to 1A contender Damascus Christian.

CORBETT CARDINALS

The Cardinals finished in the middle of the Lewis & Clark pack last season with an 8-8 league record, but have hopes of climbing a rung or two on the ladder this season with 11 seniors on the roster.

Directing the attack is junior point guard Simone Ballard, who earned all-league honors last season.

“She has no fear. She doesn’t get intimidated,” Corbett coach Kari Schimel said. “We rely on her to attack the basket, and on defense, she is all over the place.”

The senior tandem of Madison Stevens and Sophia Raglione have supplied much of the scoring early this season, as Corbett is off to a 4-3 start.

“We struggled against zone defense last year, because we couldn’t find the basket,” Schimel said. “Those two girls are able to do that.”

Ingrid Schommer gives the team some size in the paint, while senior Christine Soulagnet is the Cardinal’s lock-down defender. Others expected to contribute include point guard Emma Peterson along with senior Maya Ballard and junior Taylor Peterson.

The Cardinals are also expected to get the return of Elizabeth Wynne over the holiday break after she missed the volleyball season while recovering from a knee injury.

“It will be challenging to find a rotation, to find minutes for everyone,” Schimel said. “We have a deep bench, but that also gives us more flexibility and the chance to game plan a little bit.”

Sports Editor David Ball can be reached at 503-492-5125 or by email at dball@theoutlookonline.com.

Velma “Inez” Hoover

March 7, 1929-Dec.7, 2012

Longtime Sandy resident Inez Hoover died Friday, Dec. 7. She was 83.

A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec.15, at Sandy Funeral Chapel. A reception will follow.

Inez was born March 7, 1929, in Knoxville, Tenn., to Myrtle and Cauley Rose. After high school, she ventured to Oregon and worked at a Portland nursing home.

Inez married Lemar Roloff in 1948 and began her family in Portland. The couple later divorced.

In 1972, Inez met Paul Hoover. They moved to Sandy in 1973, where Inez worked part time at a nursery and helped care for her granddaughters.

Inez spent many hours fishing on the Sandy and Columbia rivers. She also liked to garden, ride her ATV and visit casinos.

Inez was preceded in death by her husband, Paul. Survivors include her son, Steven Roloff; daughter, Janet Chambers; brother, Lennis Rose; sister, Yvonne Parker; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Sandy Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Lorrene Louella Griffin

Aug. 10, 1923-Dec. 6, 2012

Former East County resident Lorrene Griffin died Thursday, Dec. 6. She was 89.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sandy. A committal service will follow at Firhill Memorial Cemetery.

Lorrene was born Aug. 10, 1923, in Prosser, Neb., to Louis and Arlene Katzberg. After graduating from Gresham High School, she worked at Jantzen Knitting Mills. On March 17, 1948, Lorrene married Harvey Griffin. They made their home in the Cottrell area, where they worked on the family farm.

Lorrene also worked part time at Gresham Berry Growers. Lorrene enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening and canning.

Her husband and four siblings preceded her in death. Lorrene is survived by her daughter, Wilma Arnold; sisters, Lorretta Katzberg and Leatha McIntosh; brothers, Lamar Katzberg, Leslie Katzberg and Lloyd Katzberg; one grandson; and three great-granddaughters.

Sandy Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Wilbert Kirby Phillips

Nov. 19, 1934-Dec. 8, 2012

Gresham resident Wilbert Kirby Phillips died Saturday, Dec. 8. He was 78.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 17, at Bateman Carroll Funeral Home. An interment with military honors will take place at Willamette National Cemetery.

Wilbert was born Nov. 19, 1934, in Baltimore, Md., to Wilbert and Magdalena Phillips. He served his country during the Korean War, receiving an honorable discharge from the United State Air Force in 1956.

Wilbert made his way to Long Beach, Calif., where he married Marjorie Parsley. They moved to Portland in 1969 and to Gresham in 1985.

He worked for Lockheed and North American Rockwell, Zidells, Portland Wire and Iron, and Landis Equipment. Wilbert enjoyed hot rods, working on cars, traveling and spending time with his family.

Wilbert’s wife Marjorie preceded him in death. He is survived by his son, George; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Bateman Carroll Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Marjorie Anne Eide

July 14, 1924-Dec. 10, 2012

Longtime Portland resident Marjorie Anne Eide died Monday, Dec. 10. She was 88.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20, at Savage Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1740 S.E. 139th Ave., Portland.

Marjorie was born July 14, 1924, in Reardan, Wash., to Robert and Elizabeth Moss.

She married John E. Eide on Sept. 15, 1944, in Spokane, Wash. Marjorie was a member of Savage Memorial Presbyterian Church and enjoyed oil painting, knitting, traveling, reading and playing bridge. She loved spending summers in Twin Lakes, Idaho.

Survivors include her husband; sons, John Eide and Robert Eide; daughters, Barbara Aase, Marilyn Reichelt and Judy Getty; 18 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Bateman Carroll Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the Savage Memorial Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund, 1740 S.E. 139th Ave., Portland, 97233.

Forest Grove cant get the 3s to fall late in a 58-53 loss to Reynolds on Friday night

TROUTDALE — The Reynolds boys basketball team locked down Forest Grove’s shooters down the stretch Friday night to hold on for a 58-53 win.

The Raiders were down one heading into the locker room, but opened the second half on a nine-point spurt to build a lead they would never surrender. Devante Warren sparked the surge with a 3-pointer out of the corner, and followed that by cleaning up a breakaway chance at the front of the rim.

Reynolds found itself with a 47-40 lead early in the fourth quarter after Warren sneaked a pass through a double-team, allowing teammate Skyler Johnson to make a quick turn to the hoop for an easy layin.

Forest Grove whittled the margin to 3-points as the clock neared two minutes to play, but the Vikings misfired on four long-range attempts that would have tied the game down the stretch.

A travelling violation wiped out the team’s last opportunity with 12.9 seconds left, and Reynolds guard Brandon Williams closed out the victory by sinking a pair of late free throws.

Look for extended game coverage in the Tuesday, Dec. 18, print edition of The Outlook.

View a photo gallery from the game at …

http://daveball.exposuremanager.com/g/dec14_rey_vs_forest_grove