Evergreen’s Frankie Johnson in 2012 Saints/Geoducks game

Men’s basketball
Evergreen @ Saint Martin’s – Marcus Pavilion – 7:30 PM

The one time Capital Cup takes place tonight when Evergreen and Saint Martin’s renew their rivalry with a doubleheader beginning at 5:15 PM at Marcus Pavilion.

The women tip-off first in the third exhibition game for the Saints and the season opener for the Geoducks. Saint Martin’s won last year’s contest 47-37 and have never lost to Evergreen in sixteen seasons.

The Saints are picked to finish eighth in the ten team NCAA Division II GNAC while the Geoducks are picked to finish ninth out of ten teams in the NAIA Cascade Conference. The Saints are a strong defensive team that often struggles to score and are led by senior Chelsea Haskey, who scored 22 points and hauled in seven boards last night against UPS. Evergreen has to replace their leading scorer, Danielle Swain, and will rely on senior guards Sammi Clark and Jessica Denmon to get things done this season.

The men will follow the women at 7:30 in a game that could finally even up the all-time series between the Saints and Geoducks. Evergreen is currently 9-8 against Saint Martin’s but have lost three straight games including a 66-50 decision last season at the CRC Gymnasium at Evergreen.

Both teams were picked to finish last in their conferences this season but both teams could easily surprise some teams this season. The Geoducks have senior leadership in big man Marc Taylor, shooters Kyle Calhoun and KJ Hong and a nice sophomore guard in Frankie Johnson.

Saint Martin’s, meanwhile, is truly an unknown with big changes coming in the offseason. Keith Cooper wasn’t retained at the end of the season and Michael Ostlund took over the reins. The Saints have to replace long time point guard Brady Bomber and all-conference guard Roger O’Neill. But the Saints have solid seniors in Evan Coulter, Rei Jensen and interesting transfers in Ryan Rogers and Riley Carel. They will play a much more uptempo game than they have in years past and should be fun to watch, win or lose.

Girls soccer
2A District IV semifinals (winner to state)
Black Hills vs. Hockinson – Tumwater Stadium – 7:00 PM

Black Hills hosts Hockinson tonight in a winner to state game in the District IV playoffs. The Wolves knocked off WF West 2-0 on Saturday while Hockinson topped Capital 4-2 and moved to 11-5-1 overall this season. The winner will take on either Mark Morris or Ridgefield in the championship game on Thursday while the loser will fall into a loser-out game against either Tumwater or Aberdeen.

2A District IV consolation (loser-out)
Tumwater vs. Aberdeen – Tumwater Stadium – 5:00 PM
Capital vs. WF West – Ingersoll Stadium – 7:00 PM

High school volleyball
2B District IV Playoffs
Ocosta vs. Wahkiakum – Northwest Christian HS – 5:30 PM
Northwest Christian vs. Ocosta/Wahkiakum – Northwest Christian HS – 7:00 PM

The 2B District IV playoffs begin tonight with an opening round game between Ocosta and Wahkiakum at 5:30 at Northwest Christian High School followed by the Navigators first game between the winner of that game beginning somewhere around 7:00. Northwest Christian went 12-0 in the 2B Pacific League and can make a state appearance by winning their first two matches in districts. With a win, Northwest Christian would move into the semifinals on Thursday at 5:30 at Raymond High School and would take on either Adna, Willapa Valley or Mossyrock. With a loss, they would travel to Willapa Valley High School and face either Napavine or North Beach at 6:30.