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Posts Tagged ‘baseball’

Cake? He wants The Bucket for his birthday!!

Posted in Football, Happy birthday, tagged , , , , , , on September 4, 2015| Leave a Comment »

James Vidoni

James Vidoni (John Fisken and Monica Vidoni photos)

James Vidoni’s big day is a big day for all of Wolf Nation.

As the Coupeville High School sophomore celebrates his birthday today, he and his teammates will kick-off a new football season tonight.

And, of course, it’s no mere game, as the Wolves invade Langley to clash with their Island arch-rivals, South Whidbey (7 PM).

At stake? The Bucket (which CHS has held for the last year), another year of bragging rights and the chance to make the Southenders weep salty tears of despair.

Before he hops on the bus, possibly riding a sugar high from cake, we want to take a moment to pay tribute to Mr. Vidoni.

A three-sport athlete for Coupeville (football, basketball, baseball) and younger brother of former Wolf Monica Vidoni, James is a quiet, let’s-go-hit-someone kind of guy.

So, exactly the sort of dude most coaches like.

As he continues to grow and come into his own as an athlete, the future is bright for Vidoni and we wish him all the best, on the field and off.

Happy birthday, James!

Now, go make some Falcons cry.

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Hunt(er)ing for a star? Got one for ya!!

Posted in Baseball, Basketball, Football, Happy birthday, tagged , , , , , on September 3, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Hunter Smith: One cool cat. (John Fisken photos)

Hunter Smith: One cool cat. (John Fisken and Charlotte Smith photos)

When Charlotte Smith gives birth, the kids hit the floor running, already with skills.

At least it seems that way, as all three of her progeny — CJ, Hunter and Scout — stand tall among the best athletes in Coupeville at present, and they’ve all been shining since they were barely out of diapers.

And while CJ is the oldest and Scout is going to be the biggest star (I’m calling it now), it’s Hunter who celebrates a birthday today, so we’re focusing on the middle child.

And why not? He’s on the cusp of busting out and becoming a superstar as a sophomore.

Last year, he was the only freshman in the 1A Olympic League to be named to the All-League football team, then followed that up with often-explosive work on the basketball court.

Topping his year?

He was a breakout hit on the baseball diamond from day one, teaming with his brother in the infield and on the mound to give outgoing CHS coach Willie Smith the most consistent reason to smile all season.

New school year, skills even more fine-tuned? Hunter is ready to blow up.

But, if he does, will the Zen Master crack a smile on the field? That’s the bigger question.

Like CJ before him, Hunter is a cool cat.

Not emotionless (I’ve seen him grin in photos, just not in the heat of athletic battle), but composed, the kind of guy who doesn’t crack easily under pressure and doesn’t waste a whole lot of time worrying about photo ops.

Kid is a throwback to the olden days, a three-sport athlete who is willing to let his talent speak for itself.

Now, maybe he’s Mr. Chatty away from the field, off the court, but all I have to go on is what I see in person.

And what I see is impressive.

Remarkably composed for a young athlete, a hard worker, a guy who doesn’t coast but busts his rear on every play, a leader, and, like his siblings and parents (Charlotte and Chris) a true blessing to have here in Coupeville.

Happy birthday, Hunter. Much respect, man.

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He’s kinda legendary, you know?!?!

Posted in A freakin' American hero, Baseball, Football, Happy birthday, tagged , , , , on August 28, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Cole Payne? he's kind of a big deal. (John Fisken and Shelli Trumbull photos)

Cole Payne? He’s kind of a big deal. (John Fisken and Shelli Trumbull photos)

He is more myth than man, more legend than reality.

Wherever he goes, whatever he does, the screams of his fans threaten to rip the roof off the building.

He is legend. He is Cole Payne.

As the Coupeville High School senior celebrates a birthday today, you need to stop and realize — we only get one more year of the awesomeness here in Cow Town before he’s off to spread the gospel of Cole world-wide.

Appreciate the talent. Bow to the coolness factor. Respect the game.

Baseball. Football. Basketball. And now, according to the buzz, tennis.

Payne can do it all and he can do it all well.

It’s not his fault. He was just born talented.

As he prepares for his final year at CHS, we just want to say a quick thank you to Mr. Payne, for the on-field thrills he’s delivered so far, and the highlight reel still to come this year.

Happy birthday, Cole. Stay legendary.

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Former Wolf faces first-degree charges

Posted in courts, tagged , , , , on August 17, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Paul Schmakeit during his days as a CHS baseball player. (Shelli Trumbull photo)

Paul Schmakeit during his days as a CHS baseball player. (Shelli Trumbull photo)

Former Coupeville High School athlete Paul Schmakeit has been charged with first degree assault and first degree burglary and could face up to 34 months in prison.

The 2013 grad, who played baseball and football for the Wolves, was charged in Island County Superior Court this week and is being held in jail on $150,000 bail.

The charges stem from a burglary on the South end of the Island July 27 which left the home-owner, 68-year-old Dennis Phillips, paralyzed.

Schmakeit was later arrested at the Sumas border and also faces charges in Canada.

He attempted to avoid a customs inspection and a handgun was found in his car after his arrest by border authorities, according to a detective’s report.

During the Whidbey robbery, Phillips arrived home and surprised Schmakeit, then went after him with a shovel.

A police report states Phillips told detectives that Schmakeit speared him, knocking him to the ground. The two then fought on the ground, with the homeowner biting the younger man’s finger.

Phillips, who suffered from a previous back injury, was not able to move or feel his legs after the attack and was not found until five hours after Schmakeit is alleged to have fled the scene.

Schmakeit has no prior criminal record.

Prosecutors could consider adding “aggravating circumstance” of deliberate cruelty, because of the victim being left paralyzed.

That would allow a judge to increase the sentence above the standard range if a guilty verdict is reached, but the jury would have to approve it.

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Cole Payne is a man of many talents!!

Posted in Baseball, tagged , , , , , on August 15, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Cole Payne flings heat for South Whidbey's American Legion baseball squad. (Shelli Trumbulll photos)

  Cole Payne flings heat for South Whidbey’s American Legion baseball squad. (Shelli Trumbulll photos)

Payne's so fast he can throw the ball and...

Payne’s so fast he can throw the ball and…

get behind the plate, ready to catch it.

get behind the plate, ready to catch it.

Fellow Wolf in Falcon's clothes Joey Lippo is impressed.

Fellow Wolf in Falcon’s clothes Joey Lippo is impressed.

Cole Payne will play all the positions.

I said all of them!

The Coupeville High School senior, who has been moonlighting this summer with South Whidbey’s American Legion baseball squad, has usually been a rock behind the plate or working the infield.

But, in these pics snapped exclusively by roving photo mom Shelli Trumbull (son Aaron is another Wolf currently masquerading as a Falcon), we see Payne bring the heat on the mound.

With Aaron Curtin and Trumbull having graduated, the CHS baseball team will enter next year with 2015’s pitching staff cut 50%.

Now it looks like fellow senior CJ Smith and lil’ bro Hunter Smith (both playing summer ball as well) may have some company as pitchers in spring 2016.

Welcome to the jungle, rival batters. Get ready to feel the Payne pain.

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