Category: Sports

Lady Hawks start off season 1-0

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News  

The Tulalip Heritage girls basketball team returned to the court for the 2024-2025 season on December 5 in an away game vs. the Shoreline Chargers. Many of the core players from last season are back, plus some key additions to give the Lady Hawks more depth and more skill sets for head coach Sabrina Moses to work with. 

“We’ve added several new players, including Aylani Lewis. She’s just a freshman, but has the game of a much older player. She’s a true point guard who can control the tempo of our offense and get us into sets that her teammates are comfortable with,” said coach Sabrina. “She’s joining her sister Raylee who played with us last year. 

“Also returning are sisters Lilly and Isabelle Jefferson to fortify our defense. I can always count on them to give full effort every minute they are on the court, which gives us an intensity we need.”

Controlled tempo on offense and intense defense were both on display by the Lady Hawks in their dismantling of Shoreline. Aylani’s effectiveness with the ball in her hands was evident from the jump. She scored 12 points in the 1st quarter by blowing by much larger defenders and scoring layups over their outstretched arms. Meanwhile, Heritage’s defense was wreaking havoc. The girls were jumping passing lanes and hounding Chargers ballhandlers into one turnover after another.

After one quarter of play, Tulalip led 16-2. They stretched that lead to 22-5 at halftime. In the 3rd quarter, Lady Hawks forward Laniyah Moore made the most of a couple well-timed offense rebounds and scored on back-to-back high percentage shots.

The Lady Hawks were rolling until an unfortunate moment of friendly fire when Aylani and fellow guard Audrielle Mclean both went for a loose ball and collided at full speed. The collision resulted in both players exiting the game; Audrielle with a forehead cut that required 5 stitches and Aylani with concussion-like symptoms.

Without their top playmakers, the Lady Hawks held on for a well-deserved 34-18 victory. Aylani led all scorers with 15 points, while Laniyah and big sister Raylee both added 6 points each.

Following the season opening win, Lilly shared, “It felt really good to get this win. For me personally, I worked a lot on my shooting and dribbling to be more confident in games. Last year, I looked to pass lot. Now, I’m looking to shoot and handle the ball more, when the team needs it. It paid off tonight after losing Audrielle and Aylani, I was asked to play point guard. It helped for me to get to the areas I like to shoot, and I made a couple buckets in that 4th quarter. It just feels good to be undefeated

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Without several starters, Lady Hawks fall to Darrington

The Lady Hawks produced a valiant effort on the evening of December 9. In their second straight road game to the start the season, the Heritage girls played the Darrington Loggers extremely shorthanded. In fact, they were down three starters; both Lewis sisters and Audrielle Mclean.

Without their primary ballhandlers, sisters Lilly and Isabelle Jefferson were asked to step up and run the offense. Playing against a Logger’s defense consistently applying full court pressure, the sisters were regularly forced to dribble around multiple Darrington defenders just to get the ball up court. The constant pressure made it difficult for the Lady Hawks to execute their sets, let alone produce an unhindered view of the basket to attempt a shot.

Undermanned and outgunned, the Lady Hawks trailed 5-28 at halftime, and ended up losing 13-47. Isabelle led the Lady Hawks with 4 points.

Even in an emphatic loss there are always positives. With the injuries, several players got extended run. One such player was freshman Janiesha Zackuse. She scored her first Lady Hawk point with a made free throw. Something she knew made her family who made the hour-long venture to watch her very happy.

“It felt pretty good to play so much. I’m tired out now though,” admitted Janiesha post-game. “We had a lot of supporters in the stands. It’s pretty awesome to see everybody who drove all this way to watch us play.”

Hawks begin 24-25 season with emphatic win

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

Last season, the Heritage Hawks basketball program exceeded even the loftiest of expectations. They began the season (1-3) while developing their on-court identity with a mix of stout senior players and phenomenally talented freshman. Once they found their rhythm and groove, they also discovered their winning ways. Their midseason turnaround culminated in a 2nd place finish at Districts, 3rd place finish at Tri-Districts and, ultimately, the boys fell just one win short from a State Tournament bid.

The Hawks are returning a number of players from that (17-9) squad, including the starting backcourt of J.J. Gray and Amare Hatch who are both sophomores now. They are joined by a plethora of new faces who are eager to carve out impactful roles on a team primed to build off last season’s success.

“We’re looking to accomplish all around growth for the program, and to continue developing our boys for what we hope is another lengthy post season run. Of course, this year we want to make it all the way to State,” shared Heritage head coach Shawn Sanchey. “It’s been so exciting being able to watch our program grow and to receive so much support from our community. When we’re winning in front of packed crowds, it really doesn’t get much better than that.”

The 24-25 season officially kicked off on Thursday, December 5, when Tulalip travelled to Shoreline High School for an away game against the Chargers. It was less a game and more a coming out party for the new-look Hawks. 

The J.J. and Amare pairing as playing making combo guards who can just as easily stroke a 3-pointer as they can beat their man off the dribble and finesse in a layup, scored 19 points in the early going to give their team a commanding 34-5 lead. This pleased the many Heritage fans who journeyed south to swarm the Shoreline gymnasium. 

In the 3rd quarter, newcomer Ziggy Myles-Gilford did his best Dennis Rodman impersonation by gobbling up every loose rebound and scoring off high percentage shots in the painted area. The Tulalip forward accounted for 14 points and nearly as many rebounds in that third frame. With the game all but a wrap, Coach Sanchey unleashed his bench players to have their fun during the 4th quarter. 

After the decisive 75-19 season opening victory, guard Amare said, “Our on-ball defense was on point tonight. I don’t know how many steals we ended up with, but it was a lot, that’s for sure. I think our team chemistry is already at a good place because so many of us have been playing together in Native tournaments. All those extra games and reps have gotten us comfortable with each other’s games. We want to be better than we were last year and this first W is just the start.”

In total, ten Heritage boys registered a bucket in the blowout win. Ziggy led all scorers with 20 points. 

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Hawks chop down Loggers, 90-46


With more Tulalip fans in attendance than Logger fans, the energy was more befitting a home game for the Heritage boys playing in Darrington. Chants of “Tulalip power!” rang out early and often as the Hawks break neck pace led to a 26-13 first quarter lead. 

The long ball wasn’t falling, or any jumper for that matter, but it didn’t matter because the Hawks couldn’t be denied from getting to the basket whenever they wanted. Both Hawks forwards, Ziggy Myles-Gilford and Tokala Black Tomahawk, controlled the glass and routinely corralled offensive rebounds to give their team additional offensive possessions. The two Hawks bigs combined to score 25 points in the 1st half and were a big reason why Tulalip led 47-26 at halftime.

Hawks players explaining the subtle complexities of Rez ball to an open-minded referee.

In the 3rd quarter, the 3 ball finally started to go in for the Hawks shooters. Amare Hatch, J.J. Gray, and Deveyon Wells each made a 3-pointer to help extend their team’s lead. Up big, 77-35, to begin the 4th quarter coach Shawn inserted his bench players to get in on the scoring frenzy.

Stunned Logger fans even got to witness a couple Ziggy dunks, tomahawk style. His dunks were just the cherry on top of his career night 30 points and 20-something rebounds enroute to Tulalip securing a 90-46 win.

The unbeaten (2-0) Hawks received additional scoring from Amare who chipped in 15 points, while J.J. and Tokala each added 13 points. 

Culture-fueled cheer power

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

Cheerleading is recognized for an energetic blend of athleticism, teamwork, and performance. Beyond the glittering pom-poms and dazzling routines, youth cheerleading serves as a platform for empowering young girls, largely driven by women leaders who act as mentors, coaches, and role models.

At its core, cheer promotes physical fitness and discipline. These benefits to a youth’s physical wellbeing are good, but even better are the emotional, spiritual, and psychological impacts. The high energy, choreographed activity instills critical life skills such as teamwork, communication, and resilience. Girls learn to work collaboratively toward common goals, celebrate collective achievements, and navigate setbacks with grace and determination. 

Central to this empowering experience are the women who lead cheerleading programs, like Tulalip’s own Sheena Oldham and assistant coach Tara Granquist who together lead Lady Hawks cheer. As coaches and mentors, they hold a unique position to influence and inspire the next generation of young women. Through their guidance, they strive to model leadership, strength, and perseverance. 

“We basically started this program from scratch after a few girls came to me during my day job with Youth Services and said ‘We want to cheer, but there are no on Rez options’,” explained cheer coach Sheena. “I reached out in-person and online to every family I knew that might be interest in signing up their daughter or daughters. At our first practice, we had maybe 8 or 9 girls total. A couple months later, we had 42. Enough to form two teams of different age groups (5 to 8-years-old and 9 to 12-years-old).

“From day one, I’ve wanted our program to be about more than just nailing a routine. It’s about our girls learning to support each other and finding confidence in who they are. Getting them to come out of their shells and breaking them of their shyness by building up their confidence levels and helping them find their voice. We even had a few troublemakers that clearly didn’t have an issue using their voice who we challenged in the best kind of way by getting them into leadership roles. Now, their voices help advocate for their teammates and for woman all across Indian Country.” 

For young girls, cheer squad can be a safe space where they can explore their feminine identity and develop a strong sense of belonging as part of a shared sisterhood. Cheer’s emphasis on community involvement also allows girls to see firsthand the impact of their efforts. From cheering on school teams to participating in community projects, cheerleaders often become ambassadors of positivity and encouragement, learning the importance of giving back.

The young flock of Lady Hawks amplified their voices and took their united effort for giving back to the next level during their NCYFL Cheer Showcase performance. Held during mid-November at Anacortes High School, the Lady Hawks coaches and cheerleaders proved they could pay tribute to Native American Heritage Month during their performance while openly advocating for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.

The jam-packed Anacortes gymnasium went completely silent as hundreds of cheer spectators took in the Lady Hawks routine. Equal parts cultural pride, social advocacy, and in sync pom-pom maneuvers, the girls wowed onlookers when their hip-hop music abruptly cut out and was replaced with a live drumming and singing of Antone George’s MMIW anthem.  

Concluding their awe-inspiring performance, cheerleaders Persaeus Fryberg and Laveigha Merritt read the following statement: “MMIW means Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. The song you just heard was created by Antone George of the West Shore Canoe Family in 2019. The U.S. Department of Justice found that Native American women face murder rates that are much higher than the national average. Four out of five of Native women are affected by violence. Our purpose of singing and dancing this song is to bring awareness to our sisters who are no longer here to speak for themselves.”

When the two elder Lady Hawks dropped the mic, they and their squad of red hand wearing cheerleaders were met with a thunderous applause. Both coaches and several cheer moms greeted the girls with gigantic, warm embraces as they exited the gymnasium and received their cheer medals. 

Head coach Sheena valiantly held back tears while lofting praise on her team. “I’m so extremely proud of each and every one of our girls. Seeing them out there in front of so many people and not missing a beat, it’s just an amazing experience. They’ve worked so hard to reach this point and to see all that hard work pay off with a performance and reception like that is, well what else can it be, it’s epic!”

At a time when positive female role models are more important than ever, youth cheerleading stands out as an illustrious lane for nurturing leadership and, in the case of Tulalip’s Lady Hawks, cultural empowerment. The women at the helm of these programs and the girls they are entrusted with are creating ripples of change. One squad, one routine, and one cheer at a time.

Past vs Present

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

Heritage High School hosted the latest rendition of its volleyball alumni game on the evening of October 29. The game brought together past and present players and coaches in a spirited atmosphere designed to celebrate the legacy of the school’s Lady Hawks program. With every spike, serve, and rally, the gym pulsed with energy as alumni relived their competitive days while reminding the community they may be the old heads, but they ain’t washed.

The nearly two-hour event was more than just a game; it was a fun, laugh-filled reunion for Lady Hawk alumni spanning 12 years worth of graduating classes. Team Alumni consisted of Krislyn Parks, Nina Fryberg, Cassandra Jimicum, Santana Shopbell, Martie McLean-Fryberg, Katia Brown, Deandra Grant, and Anndraceia Sicade. As they mingled with each other and current players pregame, friendships were rekindled and new bonds were made.

“It’s incredible to see how many former players still have that strong connection to their time as Lady Hawks. I’m so excited for them to get this time on the court again,” said Tina Brown while sitting front row, courtside as she did for over a decade. She served as Heritage High School volleyball coach from 2006 to 2018. “I’m super proud of them because a lot of them are moms now. They are showing their kids and their community they still know how to play, work hard and, most of all, have fun.”

Beyond the fun and social aspect, the alumni game offered memorable experiences for current players. For these young athletes, interacting with alumni who once wore the same jerseys adds a personal touch to their time as Heritage athletes. 

The event also provides an opportunity for fundraising, with a variety of sports attire from past Lady Hawk seasons sold to support the volleyball program’s fund needed to purchase new jerseys and equipment. Several alumni were thrilled to rummage through past jerseys in search of ones they once wore and contribute to the program that helped shape their high school years.

The actual on-court game, while lighthearted, saw competitive play from both alumni and current players. The alumni team, with players ranging in age and experience, demonstrated resilience, proving that their passion for volleyball had not waned over the years. The spry and agile 2024 Lady Hawks took the opening set 25-16. As many adults know, the first set is more a warm up to get them old bones and achy joints moving again. Once the alum heated up, their competitive fire burned bright.

Team Alumni dominated the second set 25-14 and set the tone that they were here to win, too. The 3rd set was dead even as the score was tied 5-5, 10-10, and 15-15. In the clutch, it was the old heads who pulled away and won 25-18. That same formula played out in the decisive 4th set. The score was again tied up repeatedly 8-8, 15-15 and even 20-20. It seemed all too fitting that in the end it was current Heritage assistant coach Nina Fryberg who served Team Alumni to the 25-22 win. Game. Set. Match.

“I felt this weird nostalgic feeling wash over me when I first walked through the gym doors because I haven’t been here in so long,” admitted 2021 alum Martie post-game. “It was definitely weird and cool to look across the net at the current Lady Hawks who are the younger versions of ourselves. Throughout the match, I’m watching them and listening to them and just being reminded of all these high school memories and former Lady Hawk teammates. Even though my graduation wasn’t the long ago, it’s funny how quick I forgot some of those moments that made playing so worthwhile. I’m so grateful to be able to play in this alumni game and am already looking forward to next year.”

“The last time I played as a Lady Hawk I was a high school senior and one of the oldest on the team, but now I’m like a fresh alum and one of the youngest on the team. That perspective helped calm the nerves and relax me so I could just go out there and play and pump up my teammates,” added fellow 2021 alum Krislyn. “I’m really hoping to see more alumni games back because they really do so much good here in our community. 

“Whether its basketball or volleyball, having official alumni games or even just open gym style where former players can come and reconnect with the game and the current players helps build community,” she added. “It’s so important that our high school kids feel supported. We all have such busy lives, but it was important for us to make the time and actually prioritize this next generation just like how we were supported.” 

As the evening concluded, players past and present left Francy J. Sheldon gymnasium with more memories and hopefully newly formed connections that will last well beyond that final match point.

Lady Hawks celebrate ‘Senior Night’ with a W

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

The Tulalip Heritage volleyball program recently held its ‘Senior Night’ in a memorable home matchup with Evangel Classical School. Community filled the stands of Francy J. Sheldon gymnasium to celebrate the on-court growth and achievement of three Lady Hawks seniors – #6 Kayleena Follestad, #7 Elizabel Ramos, and #16 Laniyah Moore.

    Prior to the match’s opening game, each senior was shouted out by team co-captain Raylee Lewis and took to center court. There, they were met by family, flowers, and hand-made signs full of admiration and well wishes.

Senior Elizabel said her favorite part of senior year is “getting to meet amazing people a.k.a my friends and having a class that showed me how to be an assistant for elementary teachers.”  She shared her plans after high school are to “become a nurse midwife.” 

Fellow senior Laniyah said her favorite part of senior year is “the morning circle, it’s pretty cool. And meeting new people and friends.” When considering life after high school, she shared, “I’m not entirely sure just yet, but I do want to go to college and I think law school sounds pretty interesting.”

All those positive vibes created by the ‘Senior Night’ festivities carried over into actual gameplay. The Lady Hawks came out firing on all cylinders. In the first set, they took an early 10-3 lead over Evangel, extended it to 15-6, and ended up taking it 25-12. 

As they’ve been doing all season long, the Lady Hawks were all smiles and cheers, but this time there was just a little extra oomph in all their attacks. Their bumps were crisp, their sets well organized, and their spikes were actually finding their way through the defense and resulting in resounding points for the home team. Of course, this got the home crowd fired up at the prospect of getting a much-needed win.

Chants of “Tulalip power!” rang out through both the 2nd and 3rd sets while the girls continued to execute and score at will. They took a 16-8 lead before claiming the 2nd set 25-15. Then, followed that up with a 5-0 lead in the 3rd set. Senior Laniyah caught fire with her serves and connected on several aces. This allowed the Lady Hawks to repeatedly perform their choreographed ace celebration that got bench players, cheerleaders, and fans to echo “Ace, ace, ace!” 

Behind the impressive serve game, Heritage vanquished Evangel 25-8 in the 3rd set and earned a well-deserved 3-0 match W. It was a fairytale ending for the inspiring Lady Hawks team celebrating their seniors on their home floor.

“It felt really good to get a win on my senior night. It would’ve sucked if we lost,” admitted ace machine Laniyah after the victory. “I like serving. It’s one of my favorite parts of playing volleyball and something that I’m just naturally good at. I’m just happy to get the win because we’ve been working together so well and our teamwork is starting to pay off.”

“We have so much love for our seniors and, as a team, you could really tell with the energy and extra motivation we brought tonight just how much we wanted to get the win for them,” added co-captain Raylee. “Our last game vs. Lummi, we went to five sets and almost won. We’ve been getting better each game and know this is something we can build on to really end the season strong.”

The Lady Hawks will wrap up their season of enthusiasm and memory-making with back-to-back home games on October 23 and 24. Both matches scheduled for a 5:00pm start.

Hawks score season-high 58 points on Darrington, up to #7 in WA State rankings

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

The coaching staff of Heritage High School’s (5-0) football program had a midseason matchup with the Darrington Loggers (3-1) circled on their calendars for weeks now. They knew it would be the first real test for the new-look Hawks who continue to put the prep football world on notice, one win at a time.

Darrington is well-known for their run heavy, power formations that contrasts greatly to the 3- or even 4- wide receiver sets that are ideal for Heritage’s electric quarterback J.J. Gray’s natural play making abilities. The battle of skill vs. will would determine if Heritage would remain among the state’s unbeaten teams, and force the rankings makers and high school scouts continue keeping an eye on the Tulalip Reservation.

“This season has been our redemption tour. We’ve beaten several teams that we haven’t beaten in a long, long time,” explained Heritage Athletic Director and Hawks head coach Lonnie Enick. “For us, it goes beyond previous wins and losses. Before the season, our team got zero recognition, not even an honorable mention as a team to look out for. Now that we’re undefeated and beaten several good teams, we finally got a number next to our name, and we know that all it will take is one loss for that to go away.

“Every week, our boys are getting better and better. Our coordinators do a great job of coming up with schemes that put our players in the best position to succeed. That didn’t just happen overnight. Most of our players have grown up watching Willy and Deyamonta play football and basketball or have been coached by one of them at the Boys and Girls Club or in an all-Native tournament. All that time and commitment to player development and team strategy is playing out now before the whole community. It’s beautiful. When we built this field, that was the dream; for our community to be able to come out and be proud of what they see and to cheer on that next generation,” Lonnie added.

And cheer they did! Those in attendance from the greater Tulalip community and those who ventured from Darrington were treated to an instant classic hosted at the Tulalip Youth Complex. There were touchdowns galore as both teams maximized every possession and did everything they could to put points on the board.

Tulalip’s offense, defense and special teams each scored a touchdown in the early going. First, J.J. Gray, playing safety, recovered a Darrington fumble and ran it back 55-yards for a touchdown. He later set the crowd ablaze when he torched Darrington of a 75-yard kickoff return for his second touchdown. Add in a direct snap to Ziggy Myles-Gilford for a 5-yard rushing touchdown and the home team was up 24-8 late in the 1st quarter. Cue chants of “Tulalip Power!” from their adoring fans.

Down by multiple scores, Darrington continued to chug along with one run after another after another. Their coaches were intent on playing their ground and pound style regardless of time and score. To their credit, all the pounding began wearing out Heritage’s defense. Already down a couple starters, they lost two starting defensemen Kane Hots and Lennox Luong during the 2nd quarter. Using this to their advantage, Darrington pounded that rock until, before you knew it, the score was tied 30-30 at halftime.

In the 2nd half, the Hawks proved their style of play could ultimately win out vs a traditional power team. Quarterback J.J. Gray led an unstoppable air raid offense, wherein he routinely found his wide receivers Ziggy and James Diaz for highlight making touchdowns. 

Here’s the 2nd half scoring breakdown:

  • #3 J.J. Gray with a 30-yard pass to #33 James Diaz. (38-30)
    • Darrington responds. 38-38
  • #3 J.J. Gray with a 45-yard pass to #33 James Diaz. (44-38)
    • Darrington responds. 44-44
  • #3 J.J. Gray with a 1-yard rush. (52-44)
    • Darrington responds. 52-50
  • #3 J.J. Gray with a 45-yard pass to #15 Ziggy Myles-Gilford. (58-50)

With just 3:30 left to play in the 4th quarter, Darrington had possession was once again marching down the field with one rushing attempt after another. They were intent on tying the game. Until that is, the Hawks defense rose to the occasion. After nearly two and a half hours of real time tackle football and the endless slew of hits to take down Darrington ballcarriers, Heritage’s defense came up with a game-sealing stop. Ziggy and #51 Ryland Dumont combined for a backbreaking tackle that led to a Darrington fumble, recovered by none other than J.J. Gray.

In possession of the ball with two minutes remaining, the Hawks were able to go into victory formation and bask in the cheers of the home crowd. As has been the case after every home win, a procession of fireworks lit up the Tulalip Bay sky when the game clock read all zeros. Still undefeated, Heritage moved to (6-0) on the season.

“I like the high scoring shoot-outs because there’s so much action and every possession matter that much more when the score is close,” shared breakout wide receiver Ziggy Myles-Gilford postgame. “When I transferred to Heritage over the summer, it was so I could play basketball here. I wasn’t expecting to play football, but the coaches and my friends on the team, like J.J., talked me into it.

“Now, I feel like every time I touch the ball I have an opportunity to score. At my size and with my speed, I just feel like no one in this league can matchup with me one on one,” beamed the Heritage sophomore. Indeed, he’s already amassed quite the ledger of touchdowns, especially 40-yard plus highlights, that have helped propel Tulalip to #7 in the WA State rankings. 

Bump, set, and enthusiasm

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

Within the 1,743 square foot volleyball court at Heritage High School, the Lady Hawks continue to develop their bumping and setting skills. Normally, after bumping and setting comes spiking, but these girls the final ingredient of their on-court trifecta is enthusiasm. Unbridled enthusiasm to be exact. Plain, yet simple, and highly effective for making high school memories.

“We are just trying our best to be locked in during practice and in games. For me, I think being positive and focusing on the good things is an important, maybe the most important, part of life, not just sports,” explained Lady Hawks co-captain Lilly Jefferson. “You can see how its impacted our team, too, because regardless of the score we are doing our chants, cheering for one another, and actually enjoying the moments we get to celebrate. 

“Being able to be loud and scream out of joy and excitement if my favorite part of sports,” continued the high school junior. “As the season went along, the more and more of my teammates started to join along and now almost the whole team cheers and lets out good emotion when something good happens or someone puts full effort on the court, like diving or really hustling to try and make a play. These are moments are worth celebrating, or in my case, screaming for.”

While doing their best to maximize enthusiasm during their team as volleyballers, the Lady Hawks have unlocked a truly refreshing perspective for those who witness them play. They are making the best kind of memories, built from a united mission to have fun regardless of what the scoreboard reads. This was evident at girls’ latest home game when they hosted Shoreline Christian on October 2. 

 After dropping a quick first set, 10-25, the girls played a back and forth second set that saw them trailing by only two points, 18-20, at one point. If it’s possible to will a team to victory simply through enthusiasm, then co-captains Lilly and Raylee Fryberg nearly did just that. They were the driving force that made sure they team came together after every point, win or lose, to clap it up, express positive platitudes, or let out a cheer-filled scream.

The super competitive second set ended up going Shoreline Christian’s way, but that didn’t stop the Lady Hawks from boiling over with that unbridled enthusiasm. Not even close. Before the start of the third set, senior Elizabel Herrera huddled up her team and mimicked the legendary “Whose got my back?!” chant made famous by the Seattle Seahawks vaunted Legion of Boom.

Those vibes carried over to the start of their third set. The Lady Hawks managed to jump out to a 9-8 lead and were still in the think of things while trailing 15-20. Ultimately, they dropped the third set and lost the match 0-3. Don’t tell them they lost though because they aren’t interested in the wins and losses; they are interested in making memories and building friendships.

“This is my first year playing volleyball,” admitted 17-year-old Elizabel post-game. “I’m so thankful for Lilly and Raylee for bringing me up and talking me into playing. I feel like I mess up so much and am still learning where I need to be and when, but they act like I don’t and that makes me want to keep on playing and getting better.

“This whole experience playing volleyball and being a Lady Hawk are good memories that I’ll be thankful later for. Really, I just want to smile and make others smile because high school is only four years and, me being a senior, I only have a few months left. So I want to smile as much as I can and make as many memories as I can before it’s over.”

The 2024 volleyball season is quickly coming to an end. Catch one last glimpse of bump, set, and enthusiasm when Heritage celebrates Senior Night on October 15. The Lady Hawks will be hosting Evangel Classical School in their final home game of the season. 

Top 10 ranked Heritage Hawks  soar to another big win  

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

After their 56-8 crushing of the Muckleshoot Kings the week prior, the unbeaten Tulalip Hawks entered week four of the regular season with a shocking #10 next to their name. In a super cool development, Tulalip’s early season success and torrid touchdown pace reached influencers within the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA). In their weekly updated Top 10 rankings, the WIAA ranked Tulalip Heritage #10 in the entire state for 1B football.  

“It feels amazing to be putting Tulalip on the map and letting the whole state know who we are,” declared starting cornerback and Heritage High senior Javohn Henry. “Our [football program] hasn’t been known in too long, but now we’re getting our name out there for all to see. Not just as footballers, but as proud Natives.”

The undefeated and #10 ranked Heritage Hawks hosted the Lummi Nation Blackhawks in another inter-tribal battle by the bay on Friday, September 27. It was expected to be a battle of contrasting styles, too, because unlike the razzle dazzle Hawks offense, Lummi’s primary strength is run-run-run with little to no passing in between. 

In the first quarter, offense was a major struggle for both teams. Whether it was the frigid 50-degree temperature or just the nervousness from longtime rivals meeting for the first and only time this season on the Tulalip gridiron, or a combination of both, is difficult to know. What we do know is after one whole quarter of play the game was tied 0 to 0.

Early in the 2nd quarter, Tulalip’s defense came up big with a 4th down stop that gave the ball back to their offense. Inserted into the game for the first time was quarterback J.J. Gray. He immediately ignited the Hawks offense with a 45-yard completion to wide-receiver Ziggy Myles-Gilford. Four plays later, J.J. found his other wide-receiver Tokala Black Tomahawk in the back of the endzone for a 12-yard touchdown pass. Two-point conversion was good to give the home team an 8-0 lead.

Heritage’s offense was running on all high-powered cylinders again. Best encapsulated by an 80-yard catch and run from Ziggy later in the 2nd quarter that got Tulalip’s home crowd on their feet and cheering enthusiastically at a team that has the talent to score on any given possession. That highlight was soon followed by another as J.J. used his agility and evasiveness to carve up the Lummi defense for a 50-yard QB scramble to the endzone. Midway through the 3rd quarter, Tulalip led 24-6.

Taking a reprieve from play-calling duties, while Tulalip’s defense was on the field, offensive coordinator Willy Enick shared, “J.J. just really unlocks our offense. His ability to keep a play alive with his feet, his vision to keep his head up and look for his receivers, and his excellent ball placement gives our guys so much confidence to take their games to the next level. The first quarter being a bit of a struggle for us to move the ball and it being a 0-0 game was actually a gift for us coaches. It gave us an opportunity to remind the boys that being ranked doesn’t mean anything if you can’t continue to execute and perform like we know we can.”

The two sophomore sensations, J.J. and Ziggy, continued to execute their onfield connection as they wreaked havoc on would-be Lummi tacklers early in the 4th quarter. On the cusp of the red zone, J.J. evaded multiple defenseman, actually managing to split two Lummi lineman who tackled one another instead of the Tulalip quarterback, and then lofted a perfect spiral to a wide-open Ziggy for a touchdown. Up 30-8 now, the chants of “Tulalip power!” started to ring out from the fans who knew the W was all but secured. 

The Hawks defense continued to swarm tackle the larger Lummi ballcarriers and managed to force several turnovers via 4th down stops. 

“Our defense did good adjusting to the run-heavy play style,” reflected Heritage defensive coordinator, Deyamonta Diaz post-game. “We adjusted to a 4-man front and were still able to rally to the ball quickly. For us, that’s been a game changer because the 4th down stops give our offense the ability to find rhythm. We also had different starters this week, so guys were able to get reps and be ready for when we have to go into our depth chart.”

Ultimately, the Hawks relied on their depth and high-octane offense to win another season-boosting rivalry game. The 36-16 victory over Lummi will assuredly keep Tulalip in the ranks of the top 10.

Next up, the boys will travel to Tacoma on Saturday, October 6, to take on the Charles Wright Tarriers. Kick-off is scheduled for 1:00pm.

‘Powerhouse’ in the making, Hawks destroy Kings 56-8

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

Tulalip Heritage High School is well-known for its basketball program. With a pension for putting out a plethora of athletic wings and forwards year after year who captivate home crowds and wow opposing audiences, Heritage basketball has been the shining star of our reservation’s athletic program for years now. However, a stellar evolution is currently underway.

“I went through four years of high school sports at Heritage. During that time, our basketball teams were always better than our football teams,” reflected Heritage alum and current Hawks offensive coordinator Willy Enick. “There were a few times we got our butts whipped by other tribal schools, like a Muckleshoot or Lummi, so to be coaching up this next generation and to see them grow in confidence and believe they can get these big wins, it feels amazing.

“As a coaching staff, we want to prove Heritage isn’t only good at basketball. We’re good at football, too. We’re building a program that will be a powerhouse for years to come.”

Speaking of power. The gravitational pull of physically strong and dynamically daunting skillsets condensing on the gridiron by this year’s Heritage footballers has created a protostar on the Tulalip horizon. It first became visible after a 30-18 win over Concrete. Initial observations were confirmed after a 34-4 trouncing of Crescent. Now, that protostar is fully ablaze after decimating a tribal rival, the Muckleshoot Kings, 56-8 in front of the Tulalip faithful.

“We are forcing teams to spread their defense out because we have five skill players who can hit a home run at any time,” explained O.C. Enick. “With a dynamic quarterback, like J.J., he’s able to keep opposing defenses guessing with his feet and arm. He can make all the throws and, if pressured, can make players miss and scramble for big gains. We’re just trying to perfect this offense by spreading teams out and forcing them to play man on man, which benefits our athletes.”

To his point, here is the breakdown of the Hawks six offensive touchdowns:

  • #15 Ziggy Myles-Gilford scores on a 70-yard pass from J.J. Gray.
  • #3 J.J. Gray scores on an 18-yard quarterback run.
  • #7 Nico Pablo scores on a 15-yard pass from J.J. Gray.
  • #15 Ziggy Myles-Gilford scores on a 10-yard pass from J.J. Gray.
  • #7 Nico Pablo scores on a 45-yard pass from J.J. Gray.
  • #15 Ziggy Myles-Gilford scores on a 25-yard touchdown pass from J.J. Gray.

That’s a combination of short yard, intermediate gains, and big play production that will prove difficult to stop when dealing with a collection of athletes who can all break down a defense with speed and agility.

Plus, that’s just on the offensive side of the ball. The boys did damage on the defensive side as well where they routinely pressured Muckleshoot’s quarterback, wreaking havoc in the backfield for sack after sack, and made the most of their few opportunities when Muckleshoot managed to throw the ball. Tulalip Hawk #5 Amare Hatch scored on a 45-yard interception return for touchdown and #15 Ziggy Myles-Gilford scored on a 65-yard interception return for touchdown.

“We practice our safeties being over the top to help combat the ‘home run ball’ attempts that teams like to try when they start getting desperate,” said Hawks defensive coordinator Deyamonta Diaz. “On Amare’s pick, he was in his drop back zone and just read the route and quarterback’s eyes well with good inside alignment from the pre-snap. He couldn’t have baited him, nor read the route any better. That speaks to the focus we’ve been putting in to the defensive side of the ball in practice.”

With the home fans filling in around the fence line and sitting on the hill closest to the junior cheerleaders, they were treated to an amazing 56-0 lead early in the 4th quarter. With such an ample cushion, Hawks coaches were able to get their 2nd and 3rd string players some reps that could pay dividends later in the season.

Following the game, J.J. Gray, the Hawks quarterback responsible for all six of Tulalip’s offensive touchdowns, shared, “The offensive line blocked so well tonight. They gave me time to pass, or run, when need be. I grew up playing basketball and football since I was 4, so that athleticism always been with me. I trust in my quickness whenever I have a defender one on one in the open field, but I’m also not afraid of being hit by a bigger player.”

When asked how it feels to be quarterbacking an undefeated, 3-0 Hawks team, he responded with, “It feels great. Hopefully, we can go 9-0. That’s the dream.”

For their next game, Tulalip will host Lummi at Friday, September 27, in another battle by the bay. Kickoff is scheduled for 7pm. It’s already been dubbed a neon glow game.

The high school’s booster club shares the following, “Tulalip Heritage students, families, and fans are invited to a night of unity as they rally behind their team for a big game against Lummi. Wear bright neon colors and glow sticks and bring lots of energy to the stands to create a glowing atmosphere and show unwavering support. Let’s glow out the field in a sea of Tulalip pride!”

Lady Hawks intent on embracing fun, positive vibes on the court

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

Within the sports realm, winning often takes center stage. Teams work tirelessly to secure victories, dreaming of championships and personal accolades. However, not every season ends in triumph, and for high school athletes in particular, enduring a losing season can feel discouraging. 

Despite the challenges, many coaches and sports psychologists emphasize the importance of embracing fun and positivity in the face of adversity. This mindset not only helps athletes cope with tough times but also cultivates personal growth, resilience, and a simple yet effective love for athletics and general exercise that can last well beyond high school.

One key reason for promoting fun during a losing season is the development of resilience. High school is a critical period for shaping emotional and mental strength, and learning to handle failure is a vital life lesson. 

According to sports psychologist Dr. Michelle Cleere, “Fun increases your physical and psychological health. It boosts endorphins which decreases stress and improves our tolerance for pain. It increases our relationships, not only with the people you are having fun with but it helps us feel good about all of our relationships. Laughter releases serotonin which reduces stress and is good for memory, sleep, breathing, heart rate, and mood. Fun increases your life span because it’s positive. It also lifts energy levels. When you take the time to relax, to have fun and to enjoy yourself, you are more capable of dealing better with everything else in life.”

Embracing fun, laughter and positive vibes is the on-court strategy of the 2024 Tulalip Heritage volleyball program. With many new players joining the team, several of whom never having played organized volleyball before, the Lady Hawks are intent on having fun and making memories, regardless of score and record.

“It started at our first game of the season at Darrington. Lilly and Aylani were determined that we stay positive and enjoy the little moments worth celebrating, even though we were losing. Their ability to remain positive and upbeat was infectious because it really did infect the whole team,” said Lady Hawks co-captain Raylee Fryberg. “Coming into the season, I was really focused on being the best player I could be. Once the games got going and I saw my teammates being so positive and just having fun, I realized just how much we need to keep that energy going and not be as concerned with individual play.

“We have so many girls that are new to the team and we’re already seeing how much quicker they are gaining confidence in practice and on the court because we’re trying to lift every one up, instead of putting each other down.”

The Lady Hawks embracing fun and moments of excitement was witnessed at their first home game of the season when they hosted Concrete High School, an out of league opponent, at Francy J. Sheldon gymnasium.

Despite losing in straight sets by the scores of 8-25, 5-25, and 11-25, the girls were routinely high-fiving, doing their in-game chants, and letting out excitement-filled shrieks when a teammate would score a point in epic fashion. Such a memorable moment occurred late in the third set. Senior player Elizabel Herrera, while on defense, leapt at the net and blocked a Concrete volley. Not only did she score a point for her team, but it was the first block of the match by either team. The Lady Hawks immediately came together as a unit and celebrated Elizabel’s accomplishment. 

Maintaining a positive attitude doesn’t just improve morale; it can also lead to better performance. Research shows that when athletes enjoy themselves, they often play with less pressure, allowing them to perform more freely and effectively.

“We’ve implemented a 5-1 system that is built around Raylee’s ability to setup her teammates as our primary setter,” said Lady Hawks head coach Jamie Orth. “We know it’s going to take time and practice for us to settle in as a team with so many new players to the sport. But we are seeing progress and some girls come out of their shell and get more comfortable.

“The better our rotations become, the more they will trust one another, the better our overall results,” continued the head coach. “It’s all part of the process, and I’m just proud that these girls have come together with the understanding that if we keep working hard and staying positive, then we’ll all get better.”

By embracing fun and positivity during throughout the seasons, the Lady Hawks athletes can keep their love for the sport alive and build skills that will serve them long after the final whistle blows.