Logan Werner is his name, and excitement for Wilson High girls basketball is his game.
It was the Rams’ first trip to the Tacoma Dome on Thursday. There sat Werner at the end of the team’s bench, wearing a red headband and cheering all the action.
“He believes in us,” Wilson coach Michelle Birge said, “when sometimes we don’t believe in ourselves.”
Werner is a Wilson High junior. He is 17. He’s been the Rams’ team manager for the past three seasons. And he does the full-time duty with a disability – Asperger’s syndrome.
“He is a very high-functioning kid,” Birge said. “He knows every team stat. And he predicts our scores.”
Werner comes to practice every day. He delivers water to the players. Occasionally he will grab a basketball and heave half-court shots. He likes playing one-on-one with Birge’s daughter, Bryanna, who is 10.
On Thursday, he also brought a homemade sign to hold up. Unfortunately, Washington Interscholastic Activities Association rules stipulate banners are only allowed from the grandstands.
What did it say?
“It said, ‘Let’s Win State, Lady Rams,’” Birge said.
GREAT MIND, SMALLER BODY
Franklin boys coach Jason Kerr hates losing – with one exception.
He has dropped a ton of weight – 85 pounds.
It started two years ago. Kerr weighed 265 pounds, but during a very up-and-down season, he lost 30 pounds “in stress.”
And it snowballed from there. Kerr started cutting meal portions in half. He stopped munching after 8 p.m. And he always started the day by eating breakfast.
He has slimmed down to 180 pounds, which was his weight when he was 19.
“I’ve had about 200 people ask me, ‘Are you OK?’ ” Kerr said. “I am good. I am healthy.”
FASTBREAKS
Louisville coach Rick Pitino was in attendance Thursday to watch new commit Shaqquan Aaron, of Rainier Beach. Aaron played limited minutes in the first half, and was sidelined by a groin injury. ... Both Washington men’s coach Lorenzo Romar and Washington State coach Ken Bone were extended visitors Thursday, as well. ... The girls are playing on the west court this week, and the boys on the east court. All championship games will be held on the west court Saturday.
Todd Milles: 253-597-8442 todd.milles@thenewstribune.com
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