Spring sports are rolling across PSD, but this week we are shifting the spotlight to our middle school athletes.
These are the kids who are just getting started. They are figuring it out, learning how to compete, and showing up with a lot of energy every day. Give it a couple years, and they’ll be the ones in Tides and Seahawks uniforms.
This week we are highlighting Middle School Girls Soccer and Boys Basketball across all four schools. There is a lot to be excited about. Kids competing, teams growing, and coaches putting in the work behind the scenes.
We are also talking about SALC Applications, which are open NOW. If you are a student-athlete who wants to step into leadership, this is your opportunity. Do not wait.
Let’s get into the good stuff.
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Middle school girls soccer is where it all starts.
For some athletes, this is their first time playing competitive soccer. For others, it is a chance to refine their skills and prepare for high school. But for all of them, middle school soccer is about more than just learning the game. It is about building confidence, developing teamwork, and discovering what they are capable of.
This season, all four middle schools have fielded girls soccer teams, and the growth, effort, and heart these athletes are showing deserve to be recognized.
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Coaches: Chance Busey & Omar Vera
The Roadrunners have 33 girls on their roster this season, and that number alone tells you something important: girls at Goodman want to play soccer.
Building a program with 33 athletes requires organization, communication, and a commitment to making sure every player gets the coaching and development they need. Coaches Busey and Vera are doing exactly that, creating an environment where athletes of all skill levels can learn, compete, and grow.
Middle school is about development, and the Roadrunners are giving their athletes the opportunity to build skills, gain confidence, and prepare for high school soccer. That is what good programs do.
Congrats to the Roadrunners on a strong season!
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Coaches: Leigh Sutherland & Neil Chai
The Falcons have 36 girls on their roster, making them one of the largest middle school girls soccer programs in the district.
Thirty-six athletes. That is a testament to the culture Coaches Sutherland and Chai have built at Harbor Ridge. When that many girls want to be part of a program, it means something is being done right.
Managing a roster that size is no small task. It requires planning, patience, and a genuine commitment to making sure every athlete feels valued and gets the opportunity to develop. The Falcons coaching staff is creating a positive experience for every player, and that matters just as much as wins and losses.
Great work, Falcons. Keep building!
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Coaches: Jessica Gamble & McKenna Dezihan-Toberi
Volunteer Coaches: Renee Harding & Dean Mauermann
The growth the Cougars have shown this season is truly impressive. This group of athletes is proving every day that they have the tenacity to push through challenges and the character to play with heart and respect for their opponents.
"Beyond their technical skills, we have loved watching them cultivate a genuine sense of unity," say the coaches. "They are not just playing alongside one another; they are having fun and building lasting relationships. Whether it is practicing through the rain or cheering each other on from the sidelines, their 'team-first' culture is what makes this group special."
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The Cougars coaching staff is proud of the leadership and sportsmanship displayed across the roster, but two eighth graders have set a particularly positive tone for the team: Malina Mahoni and Alston Gjertson.
Malina, a returning veteran, has become a cornerstone of the Cougars defense. Her focus and determination are evident every time she steps on the field.
Alston, a first-time player, is improving in leaps and bounds and sets a gold standard for kindness and work ethic that inspires the entire team.
"While we will be sad to see them move on to high school," the coaches note, "it has been an absolute privilege to coach such remarkable young athletes."
That is what middle school athletics is all about: developing athletes, building character, and creating experiences that last beyond the season.
Great work, Cougars! 🐾
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Coaches: Jody Leverett & Giorgio Natili
The Kopachuck Middle School girls soccer team is made up of hardworking and coachable athletes. They range in experience from playing at the highest level in the state to first-time players, and the growth across the board has been incredible. "The players who are just learning the sport have improved leaps and bounds over the last few weeks," say Coaches Leverett and Natili. "They came to tryouts with no soccer background and are now passing, sticking tackles, and competently defending in games."
The more experienced players are leading the team in the most positive of ways. Not only do they demonstrate a strong work ethic and strong skill base, but they are also encouraging and helping the less experienced players along the way.
"When coaches break down basic elements of the game that might be remedial to some, the more experienced players step up and lead the drills," the coaches explain. "It is amazing to watch the team work together and actually apply these elements in a scrimmage or a game."
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Throughout this short season, the girls have demonstrated trust in one another and, as a result, are growing as a team. One player said, "I am just happy to meet more people from my school and build friendships."
Playing middle school soccer is a real community-building effort. Kopachuck has not cut players from its program, and the team embraces the fact that there is a place for players of all levels.
"When we celebrate the successes of an individual player, everyone on the team is supportive and cheering along," the coaches note. "We are very proud of the environment this group of girls has created on and off the field."
That is exactly what middle school athletics should be: inclusive, supportive, and focused on development. The Coyotes are doing it right.
Great season, Coyotes!
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Middle school boys basketball is loud, scrappy, and full of heart.
These are the kids who grew up watching highlights, shooting around in driveways, and dreaming about big moments. Now they are out there doing it, competing for real, learning what it actually takes to be part of a team. It is messy sometimes. It is exciting always. And it is exactly the kind of experience that shapes who they are going to become.
This season, all four of our middle schools fielded boys basketball programs, and across the board, the growth, effort, and camaraderie these young athletes are showing is something to celebrate.
We are also thrilled to spotlight something new this year: the Skills Squad. More on that in just a second.
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Coaches: David Rivera & Jeff Mladenich
Sixteen Roadrunners. One team. Zero shortage of grit.
The coaches put it better than we ever could: "This team of 16 Roadrunners has been an incredible group of young men so far this season. The grit and tenacity they show each game and practice shows that they care about getting better as a group."
But what really stands out about this group is not just the effort on the court. It is what is happening between the players themselves. "Something to highlight is how together this group feels. Players hold themselves accountable, and discuss strategies and ways to execute strategies with each other in an organic and positive way that has made everyone better and challenge me to improve my game as a coach."
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Read that again. These kids are not just taking instruction from their coaches and going through the motions. They are talking strategy with each other. They are holding each other accountable. They are pushing their coaches to be better. That is not just good basketball. That is real culture being built in real time.
"They are responsible for building a strong culture of competition, collaboration, and growth, and I'm proud I was able to coach them this season."
That quote says everything. When a coach says a team made them better, you know something special is happening. Let's go, Roadrunners! 🏀
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Coaches: Ann Lovrovich, Chase Wittmers, & Jack Filkins
Forty athletes. Three coaches. One program that is clearly doing something right.
When 40 kids show up to play basketball at one middle school, that is not an accident. That is the result of coaches who have created an environment where athletes want to be, want to compete, and want to be part of something. The Falcons basketball program is bringing kids to the court, and that matters.
And speaking of showing up: 13 of those 40 Falcons are part of the Skills Squad, which means they are getting even more opportunities to develop their game and compete. More on the Skills Squad below, but know this: these 13 athletes are taking full advantage of what is being offered to them, and that kind of initiative says a lot about the culture at Harbor Ridge.
Keep building, Falcons. The foundation looks great. 🦅
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Coaches: Steve Elligsen & Keith Wittmers
"The KPMS Cougar Basketball team has shown tremendous growth over the course of the season. Each player has made significant improvements since the beginning, demonstrating a strong commitment to hard work and development."
That kind of across-the-board improvement doesn’t just happen. It happens because athletes are showing up, putting in the work, and trusting the process even when it is tough. The Cougars are doing exactly that.
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"With every game, the team continues to build confidence, sharpen their skills, and compete at a higher level."
That is the middle school journey in one sentence. Confidence builds through competition. Skills sharpen through repetition. And level of play rises when athletes commit to getting better every single day.
"Their dedication and effort are evident on the court, and as the season progresses, the Cougars are well-positioned to turn that growth into well-earned victories."
Well-earned. That is the key phrase right there. These Cougars are not hoping for wins. They are working for them. And when they come, nobody will deserve them more.
The future is bright in Key Peninsula. Keep climbing, Cougars! 🐾
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Coaches: Buddy Woodman and Billy Landram
Twenty-three Coyotes. Every single one of them showing up, putting in the work, and getting better every day.
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Coaches Woodman and Landram have built something real in Kopachuck this season. These athletes are not just learning basketball. They are learning what it means to compete, to push through the hard days, and to show up for the people next to them. That stuff matters way more than the final score.
Middle school is where the foundation gets built. And this group of Coyotes? They are laying every brick.
Keep grinding, Coyotes. Hard work adds up, and it always shows. 🐺
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The middle school postseason is here, and it is time to show up and show out for these athletes.
Skills Squad kicks things off on April 1st with their tournament at Goodman Middle School at 5:30 PM. For many of these athletes, this is a brand new experience, and that makes it even more special. Come support them and let them know we see everything they have been putting in.
Then on April 3rd, it is a big day for PSD middle school athletics with two tournaments happening at the same time with concessions run by PHS Baseball!
Girls Soccer will be at Roy Anderson Field at 4:30 PM. Bring your lawn chairs, bring your energy, and come cheer on these young athletes as they compete for the last time this spring.
Boys Basketball will be at Peninsula High School at 5:00 PM. Come pack the gym and let these kids know their hard work all season long meant something. They have earned this moment.
April 1st and April 3rd are going to be big days for middle school athletics in PSD. Go find a game, bring some noise, and remind these kids why it is all worth it. 📅🏀⚽
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We cannot close out this week's Playbook without taking a moment to say something that does not get said enough.
Middle school coaches are the unsung heroes of athletics.
They are balancing full lives, jobs, families, and responsibilities, while also showing up every single day to teach, encourage, challenge, and invest in young athletes who are still figuring out who they are. They do not do it for recognition. They do it because they love the game, they love kids, and they believe in what athletics can do for a young person's life.
Without our middle school coaches, none of this exists. No soccer fields full of girls building confidence. No gyms full of boys learning what it means to compete and be part of a team. No Skills Squad. No tournaments. No moments that these kids will remember for the rest of their lives.
To every middle school coach in Peninsula School District, soccer and basketball alike: Thank you. You are building the foundation for high school athletics. You are shaping young people in ways that go far beyond wins and losses. We see you, we appreciate you, and we could not do any of this without you.
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SALC applications are open NOW on Google Forms.
If you are a student-athlete who wants to step into leadership, make a difference in PSD athletics, and be part of something bigger than yourself, this is your opportunity.
What is SALC?
SALC (Student-Athlete Leadership Council) is the student leadership body for athletics across Peninsula School District. SALC members organize and lead events like the Winter Athlete Academy and Puget Sound League Sportsmanship Summits, promote sportsmanship and inclusion, and create connections between athletes from both high schools.
SALC meets to plan initiatives, address challenges, and find ways to make PSD athletics better for everyone.
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You do not have to be a star athlete. You do not have to be the team captain. You just have to care about making athletics better and be willing to put in the work.
SALC is looking for student-athletes who:
✅ Want to build leadership skills
✅ Care about sportsmanship and inclusion
✅ Are willing to step outside their comfort zone
✅ Want to create positive change in PSD athletics
✅ Are ready to represent their school and their sport with pride
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SALC gives you the opportunity to:
- Lead events that bring athletes together across the district
- Build skills that will serve you in college, your career, and life
- Shape the culture of athletics in your school and beyond
- Be part of a movement that is making PSD athletics better
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Applications are open NOW! Use your PSD email and CLICK HERE!
Do not wait. Do not assume someone else will apply. If you care about leadership and making a difference, this is your chance. Talk to your coaches. Talk to your Athletic Director. Submit your application.
SALC is looking for the next generation of leaders. Will that be you? Applications close Monday, March 30 at 11:59PM!
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MONDAY, MARCH 30
⛳ GHHS Boys Golf Varsity
- 11:00 AM - @ Chelan High School
🥎 PHS Girls Softball Varsity
- 4:00 PM - @ Lakes High School
🥎 GHHS Girls Softball Varsity
- 6:00 PM - vs. Central Kitsap High School @ GHHS Softball Diamond
🥍 PSD Riptides Lacrosse
- 6:30 PM - @ Interlake High School (Varsity)
TUESDAY, MARCH 31
⛳ GHHS Girls Golf Varsity
- 11:00 AM - @ Chelan High School
⛳ GHHS Boys Golf Varsity
- 2:30 PM - vs. River Ridge High School and others @ Madrona Links
⛳ PHS Boys Golf Varsity
- 3:00 PM - vs. Bellarmine Preparatory School @ Canterwood Golf & Country Club
🎾 GHHS Girls Tennis Varsity
- 3:30 PM - vs. Mount Tahoma High School @ GHHS Tennis Courts
🎾 PHS Girls Tennis Varsity
- 3:30 PM - vs. Capital High School @ PHS Tennis Courts
⚾ GHHS Boys Baseball Varsity
- 4:00 PM - vs. Silas High School @ Sehmel Homestead Park
🤽 GHHS Girls Water Polo
- 4:00 PM - vs. Rogers High School @ GHHS Pool
⚾ PHS Boys Baseball Varsity
- 4:30 PM - @ River Ridge High School
⚽ GHHS Boys Soccer Varsity
- 7:00 PM - vs. Bellarmine Preparatory School @ Roy Anderson Field
⚽ PHS Boys Soccer Varsity
- 7:00 PM - @ Timberline High School
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1
🏃 GHHS Coed Track & Field Varsity - Outdoor
- 3:30 PM - vs. River Ridge High School @ GHHS Track
🥎 PHS Girls Softball Varsity
- 3:30 PM - @ River Ridge High School (Regional Athletic Complex Field 3)
⚾ PHS Boys Baseball Varsity
- 4:00 PM - vs. River Ridge High School @ Sehmel Homestead Park
⚾ GHHS Boys Baseball Varsity
- 4:30 PM - @ Silas High School
🤽 PHS Girls Water Polo
- 5:30 PM - vs. Gig Harbor @ PHS Pool
🥎 GHHS Girls Softball Varsity
- 6:00 PM - vs. Mount Tahoma High School @ GHHS Softball Diamond
🥍 PSD Riptides Lacrosse
- 6:30 PM - vs. Snowlax (Varsity) @ Roy Anderson
THURSDAY, APRIL 2
⛳ GHHS Boys Golf Varsity
- 2:30 PM - @ Hawks Prairie The Golf Club
🎾 PHS Girls Tennis Varsity
- 3:30 PM - @ River Ridge High School
🎾 GHHS Girls Tennis Varsity
- 3:30 PM - @ Central Kitsap High School
⛳ PHS Girls Golf Varsity
- 3:30 PM - vs. Mount Tahoma High School @ Canterwood Golf & Country Club
🥎 PHS Girls Softball Varsity
- 4:15 PM - @ Olympic High School (Kitsap County Fairgrounds)
⚽ GHHS Boys Soccer Varsity
- 7:00 PM - @ Silas High School
⚽ PHS Boys Soccer Varsity
- 7:00 PM - vs. River Ridge High School @ Roy Anderson Field
FRIDAY, APRIL 3
🥎 GHHS Girls Softball Varsity
- 4:00 PM - @ Capital High School
⚽ MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS SOCCER TOURNAMENT
- 4:30 PM - @ Roy Anderson Field
- Come support our middle school athletes!
🏀 MIDDLE SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
- 5:00 PM - @ Peninsula High School Aux Gym
SATURDAY, APRIL 4
💃 GHHS H2WHOA - THE WHOA SHOW
- Annual Performance Showcase featuring all competitive routines
- Tickets available on GoFan
- Do not miss this!
Consider this calendar our best game plan at the moment 🗓️.
That said, weather always has a vote 🌧️, and changes may occur.
While we do our best to be accurate, it’s entirely possible mistakes happen too.
For the most current updates, please check with your coach or building Athletic Director.
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We want to hear from you! If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback about the Playbook or PSD athletics, please reach out to us at athletics@psd401.net
Your input helps us make our programs and communications even better!
The Peninsula School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. If you have questions or complaints regarding alleged discrimination, please call the Peninsula School District Educational Service Center at (253) 530-1000 or visit our office located at 14015 62nd Ave NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98332, and ask for one of the following coordinators: Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator, compliance@psd401.net; Title IX Compliance Coordinator, titleix@psd401.net; 504 Compliance Coordinator, 504@psd401.net; ADA Compliance Coordinator, ada@psd401.net.
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