Cameron Maldonado didn’t know what to expect when a friend invited her to a girls wrestling tournament in 2023.

She sat in the student section in awe, watching her friend Adeline Tuccini – then a junior at Allen Park – compete. Maldonado knew then: She wanted to join the team.

“It’s a space I’ve never seen women in,” Maldanado, 17, of Romulus, said. “There’s not a lot of places that girls can be the ones in control. They’re the ones making the choices. They’re the ones that are getting sweaty and violent.

• BOWLING

Sunset Bowling Center

Week 11

Bumpers

High Scratch Game Boys:  Simon Mueller – 66

High Scratch Game Girls:  Arden Butherus – 45; Talissa Palmer – 33; Charles McClellan – 22

Bantams

High Scratch Game Boys:  Andrew Mueller – 60; Karter Plowman – 49; Vincent Wolfinger – 37

Preps

High Scratch Game Boys: Noah Brubaker – 126; Luke Barkl – 117; Ben Mueller – 112

High Scratch Game Girls:  Erin Dougherty – 136; Tori Graff – 126; Kaylianna Plowman – 103

Juniors

High Scratch Game Boys:  Matthew Chavez – 260; Christopher Smith – 244; Nathan Beardsall – 233

High Scratch Game Girls:  Rosy Gallegos – 247; Abby Kuespert – 224; Emerie Walker – 206

Other 200+ Games:  Matthew Chavez – 242 & 239; Nathan Beardsall – 225 & 224; Christopher Smith- 223; Caden Bates – 223 & 215; Carter Hilliard – 221, 211 $ 210;  Rosy Gallegos – 211; Tristan Cord – 204; Katie Dewey – 203

600+ Series:  Matthew Chavez – 741; Nathan Beardsall – 682; Rosy Gallegos – 649; Christopher Smith – 647; Carter Hilliard – 642; Caden Bates – 616

• SPIRIT LAKE PARKS AND RECREATION

Basketball

Dec 13 

K-2nd Grades

Super 1 Foods: Colt Trowbridge 2-points, Layla Heyden 3-points, Theo Thomason 3-points, Logan Neil 1-point, Ashton Fuson 2-points

Northern Lights Family Counseling: Gabe Merrill 2-points, Wyatt Pring 1-point

Zs Enterprises: Addilynn Gurnard 2-points, Tucker Sturgill 1-point, Alexander Spalding 2-points, Gabe Merrill (Borrowed from Northern Lights) 6-points, Lincon Bazzar (borrowed from Northern Lights) 1-point

Lash Savy: Luke Jones 2-points, Carson Cooper 5-points, Bailey Johnson 3-points, Addyson Bradetich 3-points, Ella Allen 1-point.  

3rd/4th Grade

John Brown Transport: Hawken Chidiac 2-points, Ridge Powers 8-points. Zackaree Hester 1-point, Noah Davis 1-point.

Alpha Anglers: Conner Nelson 4-points

• RATHDRUM PARKS AND RECREATION

Basketball 

Dec. 13

2nd Grade Basketball

League Sponsored By: Mountain View Veterinary Clinic

Healing Hoopers vs. Jungle Jammers (12/13/25)

Healing Hoopers: Kamden Carter (12), Tobin Bird (4), Gianna Dahlin (2)

Jungle Jammers: Madison Lauderdale (4), Ellie Howell (6), Eli McFadden (4)

Vet Vipers vs. Beast Mode (12/13/25)

Vet Vipers: Ember Weitz (4), Ridge South (4), Brooks Walker (10), Caeden Bosch (14), Evan 

Sheppard (4), Holland Bechtel (4)

Beast Mode: Maximus Skinner (4), Keeley Moody (10)

Critter Crew vs. Bark Side (12/13/25)

Critter Crew: Danielle Prutsman (6), Everleigh Paxton (4), Wilderness Mobbs (6), Camryn 

Reimche (8), Aiden Ketzenberg (14), Owen Bechtel (2)

Bark Side: Paisley Lounsbury (10), Xander Hall (13), Wyatt Amende (4), Jayden Mort (2)

3rd-4th Grade Girls Basketball

NextHome Cornerstone Realty vs. Young’s Family Foundation (12/13/25)

NextHome: Alayna Sternberg (4), Peyton Gorham (4), Selah Thompson (2)

Young’s Family: Esther Mihara (6), Trinity Skinner (6) 

3rd-4th Grade Boys Basketball

Les Schwab vs. American Legion Post #154 (12/13/25)

Les Schwab: Tayvin Sims (2), Blake Singleton (2), Wyatt Drake (2)

American Legion: Cameron Todhunter (10), Makana Kong (2), Ashton Gilbertson (10)

CW Construction vs. NextHome Cornerstone Realty (12/13/25)

CW Construction: Cole Mayfield (8), Malachi (Mac) Wihelm (8), Colton Prutsman (6), Kallum 

Strawn (4), Liam Reed (2)

NextHome Cornerstone Realty: Easton Moody (2), Cayben Bird (4), Sebastian Henningsgaard (2)

• HAYDEN RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES

Basketball

Dec. 13

PRE K-K

Affordable Restoration: Henry Ratcliff-2 pts

Architects West: Barrett Turley-2 pts

CDA Clean Team: Beau Watson-14 pts

Chomper Café: Carter Astin-1 pts; Cori Dudley-2 pts; Jonsey Paul-1 pts

Edward Jones: Brody Rickel-4 pts; Adrian Root-4 pts

Heli-1 Corporation: Keenan Fowler-4 pts; Ethan Aiman-8 pts

Hot Shots: Kinley Morrison-8 pts; Jack Richardson-8 pts 

Jacklin Northwest: Crosby Simons-10 pts; Bridger Jacklin-8 pts; Porter Forsmann-4 pts

Lakeside Pediatrics: Hank Pittman-12 pts

McDonald’s: Bernie Bauer-10 pts; Callen French-6 pts; Teddy Lutes-8 pts

NexTitle: Devin Cole-20 pts; Ezra Skala-2 pts; Ansel Young-2 pts

RMED Attorneys at Law: Fox Selbe-4 pts; Henry Symbal-1 pts; Silas Chase-2 pts

Saccone Electric: Trenton Adkinson-4 pts; Rowan Magrath-8 pts; Margot Saccone-10 pts; Milo Saccone-2 pts

Saturday Night Inc: Brixton Clelland-6 pts; Greyson Young-18 pts

Slick Rock Tanning & Spa: Luke Drake-14 pts; River Price-8 pts

St. Joseph’s ENT: Annabelle Gardner-6 pts; Levi Forbush-16 pts; Levi Hansen-2 pts

Super 1 Foods: Brooks Shriner-2 pts; Graham Shriner-3 pts; Parker Leffler-3 pts; Zaiden Farley-1 pts

True North Heating & Cooling: Eli Jereczek-4 pts; 

Tumble Stone: Ruby Williams-8 pts; Crew Marjamaa-4 pts

Widmyer Corporation: Bennett Grambeau-2 pts; Josie Widmyer-4 pts

1st/2nd Girls

Belle’s Brunch House: Callie Brown-2 pts; Brielle Enyeart-2 pts; Everly Fraize-6 pts 

Brunch Box: Avery Feagans-6 pts; Charlie Hubiak-4 pts; Landrey Ralston-20 pts; Cora Looney-10 pts

Coeur d’Alene Kids Dental: Emma Burton-6 pts; Oaklie Shannon-10 pts; Halle Morin-4 pts; Remi Ryle-10 pts; Everette Seronko-2 pts

Dairy Queen: Mckinley Baughton-2 pts; Annie Richardson-4 pts; Celeste Rincon Eacudero-6 pts

Daum Construction: Lola Daum-2 pts; Jade Hephner-2 pts; Parker Fuson-10 pts; Lettie Hephner-10 pts

Dr. Dance Dentistry for Kids: Kennedy Brown-12 pts; SierraMay Phillips-22 pts; Royal Morris-4 pts; Haddie Pool-4 pts

Hippo Car Wash: Andi Mitchell-22 pts; Octavia Tewalt-10 pts; Addilyn Richmond-2 pts

Jordan Woodcraft: Molly Cohee-10 pts; Maxine Hogan-12 pts; Arwen Jackson-2 pts; Presley Saint-12 pts; Kinsey Baker-2 pts

1st/2nd Boys

ACI Northwest: Bear Gustafson-6 pts; Oliver Mensch-8 pts; Axel Zbinden-8 pts; Noah Custodio-2 pts; Archie Clutter-4 pts

Dr. Dance Dentistry for Kids: Kaden Buynak-2 pts; Beau Barkley-2 pts; Cooper Hamilton-2 pts

Evergroom Mobile Pet Grooming: Bentley Fiestam-14 pts; Averett Harkema-14 pts; Nixon Sinn-2 pts; Klyde Thompson-2 pts; Lewis Truman-8 pts

Eye Guys Optical: Dawson Leary-24 pts; Miller Meeks-6 pts; Zeke Rathbun-2 pts; Caleb Peterson-6 pts; Eli Benson-6 pts

FirstLight Home Care: Grey Leggat-12 pts; Jacob Otto-6 pts; Colton Cole-8 pts; Gabriel Church-2 pts

Fred’s Plumbing: Henley Pospisil-10 pts; Carter Stotz-4 pts; Henry Shamoon-6 pts; Daxon Noble-2 pts; Koleson Hawkins-4 pts; Tanner Burton-12 pts

Home Savvy: Dalton Rowland-1 pts; Waylon Webb-1 pts; Brody Corbeill-2 pts; Ryker Bartoo-10 pts; August Miller-6 pts

Interstate Concrete and Asphalt: Everett Feagans-12 pts; Patrick Jennings-8 pts; Garrett Kling-2 pts; Max Warker-8 pts; Torin Schioberg-2 pts

Lakeside Pediatrics- Cash O’Hara-8 pts

Lancaster Market: Liam Knutson-8 pts; Max McCracken-8 pts; Rowan Moore-4 pts

McDonald’s: Abram Kruger-10 pts; Cooper Swanson-8 pts; Henry Barnett-6 pts; Aiden Aschenbrener-2 pts; Ryan Forbes-2 pts

Mountain West Bank: Tommy Erickson-10 pts; Lane Palmer-16 pts; Owen Palmer-20 pts; Wells Price-24 pts; Porter Smith-18 pts

New Leaf Nursery: Luca Clark-6 pts; Maddox Hite-2 pts; Brayden Rosenblum-8 pts; Tobias Velasquez-4 pts; Dash Kidwell-4 pts

NuVu Property Management: Reece Agostinelli-4 pts; Zack Hill-2 pts; Easton Hofer-2 pts; Cy Pittman-1 pts

Polar Excavation: Owen Davis-4 pts; Leo Reyes-4 pts; Bennie Bauer-4 pts; Elliott Nelson-2 pts

Ramco Custom Construction: Bode Dale-4 pts; Jameson Fore-10 pts; Rocco Ramierz-6 pts; Karson Tonsgard-6 pts; BoWilliam Rolin-4 pts; Declan Woodward-4 pts

SCJ Alliance: Sawyer Hodgson-16 pts; Ansel Eyman-2 pts

Scott Smith Homes Team: Eli Irwin-2 pts; Barrett Mason-4 pts; Konrad Schneidmiller-6 pts; Kylar Smith-4 pts; Corbin Miller-2 pts

Slick Rock Tanning & Spa: Jackson Airman-18 pts; Leandro Seeds-2 pts

Super 1 Foods: Bentley Hatley-2 pts; Asa Tarbutton-4 pts; Lawless Larkin-10 pts

Submit items for youth and non-varsity high school sports by noon Tuesday for publication Wednesday. Email stories and photos (in .jpg format) to [email protected]. 

Information: 208-664-8176, Ext. 1205 

    Courtesy photo The seventh grade Wolves AAU boys basketball teams made donations to Union Gospel Mission in a joint effort with Lake City High School’s effort to fulfill several wish lists for kids this holiday season. In the front row from left are Micah Brumbach, Cam Tosi, Rowan Hammons and Cody Burrill; and back row from left, Sawyer Smith, Cannon Randklev, Mac Roberts, Bricen Cornett, EJ Von Behren, Ashton Elwell, Keegan Rosenberger, Rourek Denton, Kellan Larson, Camden Glindeman, Griffin Higgins and Keaton Knoll.

    Courtesy photo The Sting SC 2011 girls GA Aspire soccer team won all three matches last weekend at the Alliance Showcase in Portland and Vancouver. The Sting opened the weekend with a 3–0 victory over the Saints Soccer Academy 11G Blue Premier. Presley Moreau led the attack with two goals, one coming off an assist from Katelyn Keaggy. Payton Brennan added the third goal. In match two, the Sting earned a 3–1 win against the Pacific FC Washington 11G Hurricanes. Payton Brennan found the back of the net off an assist from Nevi Sousley, while Brightyn Gatten scored two goals, including one from the penalty spot. The weekend concluded with another 3–1 victory over the Hillsboro Rush 11G Blue. Payton Brennan scored on an assist from Presley Moreau, Presley added a goal of her own, and center back Emily Hackett capped the scoring with a header off a corner kick. The Sting will be back in action next at the Pacific Northwest Cup in Seattle on Jan. 17–19. In the front row from left are Ava Langer, Olivia Hynes, Presley Moreau, Kenzie Dolan, Nevi Sousley and Aubrey Sargent; and back row from left, Brightyn Gatten, Katelyn Keaggy, Payton Brennan, Emily Hackett, Elle Sousley, Vivian Hartzell, Olivia Nusser, Constance Ovendale and Zoe Lemmon.

    Courtesy photo The Lilac City boys 2031 lacrosse team, with most of its players from the Coeur d’Alene Falcons on the North Idaho Youth Lacrosse teams, took home the championship, winning five games this past weekend at the Sixes Showdown in Portland, Ore. In the front row from left are Wyatt Secord, Connor Smalley and Monty Montgomery; and back row from left, assistant coach Josh Soehner, Rohn Hageman, Crosby Soehner, Eddie Sandall, Keegan Rosenberger, Ethan Schulhauser, Jack Millard, Luke Perry, Jackson Hood, Johnny Mauro, Liam Knapp, Liam Clark and head coach Jackson Dean.

    Courtesy photo The Lilac City boys 2033/34 lacrosse team, with most of its players from the Coeur d’Alene Falcons on the North Idaho Youth Lacrosse teams, took home the championship winning five games this past weekend at the Sixes Showdown in Portland, Ore. In the front row from left are JJ Campbell, Holden Hays and Kamran Rosenberger; and back row from left, Judge Buckner, assistant coach Micah Rickards, Riggens Hageman, Titus Young, Sascha Steinhoff, Jamison Lunsford, Brody Theriault, Maxx Dunham, Brayden Lange and head coach James Campbell.
  

  

  

  

Walla Walla kids, playing weekend Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) club basketball in their hometown at its 2025 Tournament of Hoops, together came away as 7th grade boys team champion Dec. 14 after the Hawks won their title at Pioneer Middle School.

The Hawks consisted of club members from local middle schools including Garrison, DeSales Catholic, John Sager and Liberty Christian with both Casey Waddell and Donald Ponds as their coaches. They bounced around town over the weekend, wrapping up two-day competition at its title game after finishing pool play atop a four-team division with victory in all four of their matchups at Garrison.

A Tournament of Hoops title now has the Hawks bound for the Washington State Championships, March 20-22, in Spokane.

Jimmy Fitzner
Community Contributor

On Saturday December 13th, elected officials, corporate sponsors, and youth soccer teams gathered for a ribbon-cutting to mark the opening of the new Visa Street Soccer Park at the 9th & Van Brunt Athletic Fields. This addition marks the latest investment into the park which saw the completion of $3 million dollars worth of renovations paid for with GO Bonds in July.

This event included remarks from Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, United States congressman Fourth District Mark Alford, City Manager Mario Vasquez, Missouri House Speaker Jon Patterson, and representatives from funding organizations Visa, Bank of America and Street Soccer USA (SSUSA).

A smile beamed from the face of Reginald Francois, Senior Recreation Director with KC Parks and Rec, as he looked across the crowd. When asked what it means to him that Bank of America, Visa, and Street Soccer USA have teamed up with Kansas City to make this project a reality, he immediately responds, “The future is now”.

Francois has coordinated youth programs for kids of all ages at this park long before these upgrades; he knows the challenges of playing on fields that many have called inadequate for organized youth soccer. He’s also heard from the community that adult rec leagues were crowding out kids and adds that this addition will provide space for kids in Northeast to hone their soccer skills for years to come. 

He isn’t the only one who notices the difference either; Jennifer Ruiz and Anthony Pleitez live in the area and braved below-freezing temps to watch the ribbon-cutting. Ruiz recalled playing on these fields in high school, lamenting that they were not well maintained and that the restrooms were in poor shape. Now, she and Pleitez both see this as not merely a playing field but an outlet for everyone of all ages in the neighborhood. Pleitez was impressed that funding from organizations outside of Kansas City had found its way into this neighborhood park, and was happy to see City officials, including Mayor Quinton Lucas and City Manager Mario Vasquez, give in-person attention to Saturday’s event. 

Alexis Rivera, club president for youth club Pantera FC, grew up in Northeast and was excited about the possibilities for future teams and kids growing up here now. Rivera added that he knows kids who come here after school and stay until dark, and feels confident that outlets like this are protective factors in the lives of kids who grow up in so-called underserved communities. 

“Now it’s up to us to care for it,” Rivera insisted. “Kids see that and they’ll care for it too,” adding that his club picks up trash and plastic bottles around the park to preserve its fresh appeal.

Lawrence Cann and his brother Rob, who co-founded Street Soccer USA and spearheaded the initiative to revitalize parks into youth soccer destinations in 26 US cities by the 2026 World Cup, echoed the sentiment of neighborhood residents, saying this is an opportunity for kids in Northeast to get easy access to soccer. The lack of access for generations past was also not lost on Cann, mentioning what once occupied the southeast corner of 9th & Van Brunt.

“We know the history of this park,” said Cann. “Being an old transit center and an underutilized space, it has become an incredible place for the community to come together”.

Pam Kramer, CEO of KC2026, the organization responsible for making the World Cup soccer tournament a success in Kansas City next year, made sure to denote the importance of improvements for Kansas CIty kids in light of the incoming spectacle, telling the crowd, “Our Board of Directors has told us we need to think about World Cup differently; it needs to create sustained and long-term impact on the people who live here”.

As for the immediate future, Reginald Francois is ready to roll. He’s heading up a tournament in March at the park for ages 4-6 (boys and girls) and will host what he called “The People’s Tournament” in April for boys and girls ages 8-16. Go to kcparks.org or email Reginald Francois at Reginald.Francois@kcmo.org for more information.

EXTERNAL LINKS FOR FURTHER INFO:

Visa, Street Soccer USA and Bank of America join forces to expand access to soccer in communities across the United States | Visa