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Northwest Sports Update: Former Zags star found dead, Skagit hoops standout commits to WWU, M’s top Astros in opener and more

Northwest Sports Update: Former Zags star found dead, Skagit hoops standout commits to WWU, M’s top Astros in opener and more

AP Photo/Brandon Dill Photo: Associated Press


NBA News

A former Gonzaga men’s basketball star has suddenly passed away.

The NBA announced today that Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke has died. The league did not give a cause of death, but LAPD sources confirmed to ABC News that Clarke was found dead on Monday from a possible drug overdose.

The Grizzlies said in a statement that they “are heartbroken by the tragic loss” of Clarke. 

He helped lead the Zags to an Elite 8 appearance in 2019 before going on to play seven seasons with the Grizzlies.

Mariners News

The Mariners are looking to keep it up in Houston tonight after a successful series opener.

The M’s topped the Astros 3-1 last night thanks to a stellar outing from their pitching staff. George Kirby started them off with five innings of one-run ball and the bullpen followed with four shutout innings to hold off one of the top offensive teams in baseball.

Julio Rodriguez highlighted the game with a solo home run as Seattle beat Houston for a franchise-record eighth straight time.

They’ll aim to make it nine straight tonight with Bryan Woo taking the mound. Coverage begins at 4:00 and first pitch is at 5:10 on KPUG.

WWU Vikings News

A Skagit County hoops star is taking his talents to Bellingham.

Burlington-Edison senior Logan Heigert announced on social media that he’s committing to Western Washington University.

The 6-foot-7 forward averaged nearly 26 points per game with the Tigers last season, per the Skagit Valley Herald. He now joins a Vikings squad that is dealing with a mass exodus of its top players.

The team’s leading scorer Aidan Rice has transferred to UC Riverside, while reigning GNAC Freshman of the Year Dennis Johnson III and standout junior Nehemiah Pollard have each transferred to Portland State.

With those three losses in addition to the departures of Trevor White and Malachi Miller, as reported by WWU’s The Front, the team will be without its five leading scorers from last season.

Prep Sports News

The fastpitch softball district tournaments are off and running.

Lynden beat Marysville-Pilchuck and Archbishop Murphy yesterday to clinch a spot in the state tournament. Tonight, they’re facing top-seeded Burlington-Edison in the 2A district championship, with first pitch at 6:00 from Bender Fields in LYnden.

Meanwhile, Sehome fell to Anacortes, as the Mariners are now set to face Archbishop Murphy in a loser-out game at 4:00 in Lynden.

In the 3A tournament, Ferndale is playing Shorewood at 4:00 from Phil Johnson Fields in Everett.

 

Over in prep baseball, Bellingham had its season ended in a loss to Archbishop Murphy yesterday.

Coming up tomorrow night, Sehome and Lynden are playing for the 2A district championship at 6:00 in Anacortes.

 

And in boys soccer, Bellingham and Sehome are playing a pair of loser-out games tonight in the 2A district consolation bracket.

First up, the Bayhawks are taking on Lakewood at 5:00 at Civic Stadium. After that, the Mariners are playing Archbishop Murphy at 7:00 from Civic.

The winners will face each other on Thursday with a spot in the district crossover on the line.

The 2A district championship will also be played on Thursday between Lynden and Squalicum, who have each clinched a state tournament berth.

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