The Multnomah Athletic Foundation in Portland is hosting its 20th annual border war basketball showcase and this year’s game has a pair of local connections.
Eastside Catholic head coach Bill Liley was named an assistant coach for the game after leading his Crusaders to the 3A state championship game for the first time in program history during his third season at the helm.
“I’ve always wanted to coach in this game,” Liley said, adding he has previously coached with the head coach of the Washington boys team, Pat Fitterer.
Fitterer retired from the prep coaching scene in February after 37 years and 728 wins at Highland, Kentwood, Sehome, Eisenhower and Ellensburg. He won the 1988 1A state title at Highland and the 1996 3A state title with Sehome, and Liley said is someone he looks forward to again joining on the sidelines.
“I have learned a ton from him,” he said. “He’s a great dude and we’re going to have a blast.”
Liley, a former 1A state champion with King’s and assistant under legendary Mercer Island coach Ed Pepple, took EC within a possession of taking down nationally-ranked Rainier Beach in this year’s title game. The Vikings entered the game boasting showcase tournament wins and a roster rife with Division I talent, but managed a season low in points against a stingy Crusaders’ defense.
The honor of coaching in the all-star game, along with a recent award he won from the state’s basketball officials association, should only bring more awareness for an Eastside Catholic basketball program Liley has already taken to new heights.
“People are looking at the fact good things are happening with our program,” he said. “If we continue to work as hard as we’re working, people will continue to recognize those things.”
Only one player from 4A KingCo was named to the girls roster for the Washington squad, as Eastlake senior standout Marijke Vanderschaaf will join two-time Gatorade Player of the Year Brittany McPhee, back-to-back 3A state champions Myzhanique Ladd and Makala Roper, and Lynnwood standout Jasmin Edwards, among others.
Vanderschaaf was a first team All-KingCo selection as a senior, and helped the Lady Wolves to within a game of the 4A Regional round.
The 20th annual Northwest Shootout is scheduled for April 26 at Liberty High School in Hillsboro, Ore.
The girls game begins at 4 p.m., followed by the boys game, and tickets are $10 ($5 for students). Proceeds from the game go to benefit community grants and scholarships in the Portland area.
A host of future NBA and Division I collegiate players have participated in the game in the past, including Nate Robinson, Terrell Brandon, Mike Dunleavy and Shoni and Jude Schimmel.