King's honors their championship basketball teams

1500 people lined the parade route
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

An estimated 1500 members of the King's schools and organizations lined both sides of the drive Saturday morning to honor the girls' and boys' basketball teams - each of whom won their 1A state championship in Yakima the previous Sunday.

The elementary classes all made signs to wave
Photo by Wayne Pridemore

The entire King’s student body - preschool through 12th grade, CRISTA Senior Living residents, and staff from King’s and the other six non-profit organizations that comprise CRISTA were along the drive, cheering the players.

Girls' team recognized
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Both teams paraded down the imposing King’s Garden Drive in 11 vintage vehicles. King’s Garden Drive is the long driveway that leads to King’s High School and the historic 3-story administrative building on the CRISTA campus.

Boys' team recognized
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

A 20 minute program followed the procession, with each player introduced individually by the Knights PA announcer. Each of the two Head Coaches made speeches.

Everyone took photos of everyone else
Coach Rick Skeen on the right
Photo by Wayne Pridemore

Rick Skeen, Assistant Principal and Athletic Director, in comments on the high school website, said "While winning games is a high priority for our athletic department, learning valuable life lessons through the participation in sports is the ultimate goal. We believe that participation in sports closely models life itself and provides an opportunity for kids to grow and mature into adulthood."

Senior boys with the trophy
Matt Royal, Chris Martin, David Barhanovich, and Andrew Ayers
Photo by Wayne Pridemore

The victory celebration was particularly poignant because it could have been so very different. The week before the championship game, the entire boy's team was involved in a serious traffic mishap, when the team bus smashed onto its side on SR 104, as they were returning from a game in Mount Vernon.

Senior girls with the trophy
Ashley Osborn, Savanna Hanson, Marilyn Jones, and Belia Galindo.
Photo by Wayne Pridemore

Amazingly, no one on the bus was seriously hurt and the players were all on court to win their championship game.

School mascot Lance rode his trusty steed
Photo by Wayne Pridemore

On March 17 there will be a High School Senior vs. Faculty Basketball Game, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm as the Class of 2015 and the King's High School faculty battle it out on the basketball court.

Kindergarten was ready
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

King's is a private, Christian high school located in the Hillwood neighborhood of Shoreline.