Sporting News & Information Prep Broadcasts Insider Coverage Action Photos Since 1991! SP RTS THE PLACE FOR SPORTS

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1 Sporting News & Information Prep Broadcasts Insider Coverage Action Photos Since 1991! Jeff SP RTS Place THE PLACE FOR SPORTS J P Volume 27, Number 4 jeffplace@outlook.com March 1, 2017 SCOREBOARD Enough is Enough Time for the WIAA to Return to a 16-Team Tourney THE HOT LIST (Week of Feb. 13, 2017) FRI., FEB 24 BOY S PROSSER...48 CLARKSTON...41 TOPPENISH...68 PULLMAN...76 WAPATO...65 SELAH...87 La SALLE...59 ZILLAH...74 BREWSTER...68 KITTITAS...74 DeSALES...50 WHITE SWAN...60 OAKVILLE...25 SS CHRISTIAN...80 GIRL S PROSSER...51 WAPATO...58 WEST VALLEY SP...48 EAST VALLEY YA...57 ZILLAH...57 GRANGER...54 CLE ELUM...58 La SALLE...67 WWVA...59 WHITE SWAN...65 MABTON...56 TONASKET...47 MARY KNIGHT...18 SS CHRISTIAN...67 Granger Self Storage 110 Sunnyside Ave. Granger, WA (509) Carl & Judy Hurlburt Local Owners S ometimes when we try to fix things, we do more damage than good. When the WIAA announced they were going to an eight-team state tournament, they cited cost as a factor. Despite pressure to return to a 16-team event, they compromised for a 12- team experience and came up with the RPI. (Ratings performance index.) Although a welcomed positive step forward, the plan had more holes in it than the Titanic after she struck an iceberg. Although you can point your fingers at several problems, let s look at the positives. Four more teams will get a state experience and the top eight Mabton faces an uphill battle in their effort to return to state. They were third last year. are guaranteed to make the trip no matter what happens at Regionals. The communities hosting the event will make more money with more schools, parents and boosters traveling to the host cities. Now let s look at the negatives. The RPI, although a cool idea that admittingly will undergo some tweaks, has kind of bombed. Take Medical Lake s girl s team for example. They just enjoyed one of the most successful seasons in school history and if they win this weekend will play at state for the first time since They were 20-2 and have won 18 in-a-row including a perfect 14-0 league mark. District champions, they were rated the 11th best team in the state in the RPI and play La Salle in a winner-tostate game this weekend. Winning the District championship meant nothing. No reward except a nice plaque for the trophy case. Or how about Foss? Acknowledged by the media as one of the top teams in the 2A state ranks, (see page 12) Bellevue Christian vs Granger Girls at Davis, 6PM Although both head to state, Andy Affholter faces a private school again. La Salle Boys vs Granger at Davis, 8PM Two SCAC West foes fighting for a berth to 1A state. White Swan Girls at Wenatchee vs Brewster, 8PM A long shot to make the playoffs, the Lady Cougars face the Bears who lost to Dayton by 15 last weekend. Winner to 2B state. Yakama Tribal vs Lummi Nation at Mt. Vernon, 8PM Yakama upset Lummi when they were rated #1. Both head to state. SAT., FEB 25 Toledo vs Kittitas Boys at CWU 2PM This teams met on this same floor at a Holiday tournament. The Coyotes won Toledo has since won 12 of their last 13. Mark Morris vs Selah Boys at CWU 4PM An important matchup although both head to the Sun Dome. MM is rated 5, the Viks 4. Prosser boys vs Centralia at W. F. West, 6PM Will the Mustangs continue their miracle payoff run? Loser is out. Page 1 SPORTS PLACE

2 Page 2 THE PLACE FOR SPORTS March 1, 2017 QUOTE BURT REYNOLDS Feb. 11, 1936 When an actor marries an actress, they both fight for the mirror. Power Rankings 1 Zillah Davis Selah Kittitas Wapato Prosser SS Christian Yakama Tribal White Swan Granger Sunnyside Granger Wapato Zillah Prosser SS Christian White Swan Mabton Quotable Quotes Brewster basketball is kind of like Prosser football. They have the program you want to emulate. Tim Ravet, Kittitas Change is Good Riding the road from Ohio to the Yakima Valley I was eight years old when plan. the only life I had ever It was to have a better situation for us and that included known would change. Growing up in Grover Hill, uprooting the only life I had Ohio (a town of about 500 in ever known and moving out to the Northwest corner of the Washington state. state), I had to adapt to several things through my first a visit, we stayed with my Told we were, Going on eight years. grandparents. I was soon My dad and brother were entered in school at Zillah both mechanics and I was Jeff Place (where they now lived), and dreaming of following in their I shared a house with seven foot steps. Editor s Column other people. I rummaged for car parts or what It was a tough adjustment because I ever I could find and built me a pretend no longer had a room, but I adapted. A car. I also made club houses out of some year later, we moved to Granger where of the old cars that we had sitting in our we lived above the old movie theater and back lot. where my mom worked at the Circle Inn, I loved those days. But then, my parents divorced, my brother went off to the Ohio. doing the same thing she had done in Army and I was left to pretty much raise I hated living here for several years myself. because I felt I had been moved without My mother took a job as a waitress/ consulting me and I felt lost because cook and often left early in the morning everything was so different and new. for nearby Paulding, and I got myself Again, I adapted and began to change ready for school. I didn t complain, I my dream from being a mechanic to simply adapted. sports. I am sure that came about I loved that small town and the because of all the exposure I had at friends I had made. I often wandered my grandparents house with everyone the aisles of the drug store, wishing for cheering for their favorite player or toys or visited the grocery store just for team. company when I got lonely. While coming home from a broadcast in Wenatchee, I began thinking, This I didn t know it but my life was about all happened because of my mom. If she to change. would have stayed in Ohio, I wouldn t be My grandparents came out for a visit making this drive right now. and I was so excited! I never really knew Sometimes you come to a cross roads them and had only seen them once, and you carry the burden of knowing the when we went to their home in Granger, decision you make will not only affect WA for a visit when I was four. your future but the ones around you. After a couple of weeks, they left After the choice is made, you need to but my grandpa stayed behind. I loved go forward and continue on despite the him so much and he spoiled me without obstacles or controversy you might face. end. It was heaven to be surrounded by Change is inevitable. Wrap your arms family and I began to realize that I was around it, embrace it, and understand lonely, yearning for a sense of belonging. the challenges will make you stronger. I didn t know it, but my mother had a Through adversity, we find success. pmhmedicalcenter.com Orthopedic Podiatry General Surgery Ear, Nose & Throat Experienced Team Sports Medicine Kid-Friendly Emergency Dept. SPORTS PLACE Page 2

3 Page 3 THE PLACE FOR SPORTS March 1, 2017 DOING THE RIGHT THING MATTERS Faces in the Crowd CAMERON CLARK Guard Ephrata Tigers Senior Although Ephrata is out of the CWAC playoffs, a key to their success this year was the scoring of senior Cameron Clark, who averaged 22.5 ppg for the Tigers. He was a major reason we were so successful this year, said head coach, Brandon Evenson. Picked to finish near the bottom of the standings, Ephrata battled for second place nearly all year long. The 6-foot-0 Clark was named to the CWAC all-league first team. A point guard, he was active all over the court and it was common for him to average double figures in rebounds as well. BRITNEE GUERRERO Guard Mabton Vikings Junior Mabton s run to the state tournament was led by Britnee Guerrero, an EWAC first-team allleague selection. Named as a WIAA Athlete of the Week earlier this winter, the impressive junior is in the Running Start program and sports a 4.0 GPA. She has an amazing seven deflections per game, states her coach, Chris McCallum. That s the biggest stat that I keep track of. Averaging just over 16 points per game, she scored a high of 29 and also pulls down 5.4 rebounds along with pilfering nearly five steals a game as well. Mabton was third at state last year. TARYN HART Guard Wapato Wolves Junior She only played in four regular season games yet the impact that junior Taryn Hart has had on this year s team is immense. We knew that getting Taryn back in late January would give us a boost and it has, stated Lady Wolves coach, Joe Blodgett. During the post-season, Hart is averaging in double figures as well and although she missed most of the year due to her knee injury, but she was at practice and games helping in any way she could. Although they lost their regional contest, Wapato advances to state in a loser out game this Wednesday at 5:30in the Sun Dome against the winner of Port Angeles - East Valley of Spokane. LOGAN HATFIELD Guard Prosser Mustangs Senior It was a night that will go down in Yakima Valley history. Those who weren t there will wish they were there. Under bizarre circumstances, Logan Hatfield made the shot of the year as the Prosser Mustangs upset Toppenish in the CWAC District playoffs Tanner Bolt threw the ball to Scott Blakney at mid court, who fired it to Hatfield, who was near the baseline. The 5-foot-11 senior grabbed it in the air shot it towards the ;eft side of the basket with about two tenths of a second left. As the clock sounded, the ball swished through the hoop. Hatfield, who scored eight points on Valentine s Day evening, is an unsung hero of the team and has recovered from an injury that sidelined him most of the football season. SPORTS PLACE Page 3

4 Page 4 THE PLACE FOR SPORTS March 1, 2017 TOP PERFORMERS ASHLEY ANDERSON White Swan W hen sizing up the Zillah Lady Leopards, there really isn t that one player that you have to stop to win. Perhaps that s why they ve quietly won five in a row since their regular season loss to Granger back on January 31. A major key in their surge has been the play of 6-foot-2 junior center, Samantha Bowman. A tireless worker in the paint, she showed her long distance ability when Zillah avenged their loss to Granger for the SCAC District championship The key to victory was the play of Bowman who tallied 25 points and ten rebounds. Her biggest shot of the night was an impressive buzzer beating three-pointer as time expired to give Zillah the win. Sam is not only a great athlete, states Z-Lep coach, Brandie Bounds, But she takes care of business in the classroom as well. She always has a positive attitude with her teammates and lately has been sowing her maturity when asked to get things done. Bounds went on to express the 6-foot-2 junior is very coachable and eager to learn new things as well as fine tune her already existing skills. Bowman, who Sam Bowman seemingly shines in big games, had 30 points and ten rebounds in a victory over #3 Columbia- Burbank and 21 points in a victory over Selah. Bowman is joined by fellow Leopards Trista Takes Enemy, Abbie Myers, Callie Delp, Megan True, Lauren Ziegler, Kaia John, Maci Favilla, Karissa Delp and Addison Krueger to help make Zillah one of the state favorites. Anderson teams with Jessica Cheney to give the Lady Cougars a deadly one-two punch. Anderson had 28 points in a district contest against WWVA last Saturday. Cheney knocked in 17 as well. SCOTT BLAKNEY Prosser He has been simply dominating since January, averaging nearly 23 ppg, and has amped that up to a 25.8 average in the playoffs. His teammate, Nate Brown is not bad either. TARYN HART Wapato Throw the scoring totals out the window. This lanky junior drops dead-eye threes, throws behind the back lasers and comes up with the big defensive play at the right time. Hard to believe she s been out most of the year because of knee surgery. Zillah Lady Leopards ELIJAH PEPPER Selah Sometimes when you watch him, you get the idea that he can defeat a team nearly by himself. The talented sophomore is not only smooth, but his 29 points in the District championship was vital. Celebrating years Benton Rural Electric Association (SEAN CARTER PHOTO) BROCK RAVET Kittitas The area s leading scorer (nearly 30 ppg), heated up when his team needed him most, tallying a season-high 43 points in the Coyotes win over Brewster. He now has nearly 600 points in just 20 games as a sophomore. He scored 717 points last year in just 23 games. Your Source of Power & Information Since 1937 Member Serivce: Toll Free: info@bentonrea.org SPORTS PLACE Page 4

5 Page 5 THE PLACE FOR SPORTS March 1, 2017 Miller s TOP PERFORMERS Prosser Hoops After Poor Finish, Mustangs Rally for State P rosser stumbled down the homestretch of the regular season, losing five of seven games. The finish had fans shaking their heads and they were headed to Ephrata in a loserout District contest. Nobody gave them much of a chance because of the free fall. They forgot to tell the players their season was about to be over. They didn t miss, mused Tiger head coach, Brandon Evenson as the Mustangs won impressively The glass slipper seemingly would break in their next game as they faced Toppenish without one of their fab two, Nate Brown, who injured his ankle the day before in practice. In Wapato, facing the Wildcats, things got even more bizarre when they realized they brought the wrong uniforms. On the bottom half of the bracket, Prosser should have been the home team, but the league S.O.P. stated the higher ranked team (Toppenish) would be home. With both groups having white uniforms, the Wolves stepped up and loaned Prosser their navy blues. 6-foot-9 senior, Scott Blakney, played like a man possessed in the first half, before settling with a game-high 32 points. The Mustangs won on a last-second shot on an alley-oop heave from Blakney to Logan Hatfield as time expired. Wapato never loses at home, stated a Wolves fan joyously. For the Wildcats, they lost their second-consecutive heart-breaker in as many games (the other was Saturday against Wapato). Next up for the Mustangs was the state s top-rated team and two-time defending champion, Clarkston. Prosser put a vise around the Bantams and scored an improbable upset Brown and Blakney combined for 36 points in the victory. This weekend, Prosser is one step away from something Mustang fans thought would be a yearly appearance when Idaho-bound Blakney and multitalented 6-foot-5 Brown joined the varsity. They face Centralia on the road at W. F. West high school in Centralia at 6 PM on Saturday. With the way Lady Luck is smiling, don t bet against them. KITTITAS Unbeaten through 20 games, the Coyotes overcame a deficit against Brewster to win in the District 5/6 championship. SELAH Showing immense maturity, the Vikings won the CWAC title in impressive fashion. They dominated Wapato in the District title game ZILLAH The Leopards won the SCAC District title and have been unstoppable nearly all year long. The trophy case should be getting more hardware. WAPATO The Lady Wolves won the CWAC District championship and also guaranteed them a state berth next week in Yakima. WHITE SWAN Finishing third in the EWAC, the Lady Cougars were 8-7 before putting together a seven-game winning streak to qualify for Regionals. ZILLAH Acknowledged as the second best team in the SCAC West, the Lady Leopards exorcised their demon -- Granger --in the District championship game with a buzzer-beater by Samantha Bowman. The school has won five in a row. Miller s Locally Owned Locally Operated Friendly Service Convenient Drive Thru 401 West First Toppenish Great Food Tasty Treats Cold Drinks Ice Cream Cakes (509) SPORTS PLACE Page 5

6 Page 6 THE PLACE FOR SPORTS March 1, 2017 REGULAR SEASON ONLY Pepsi Cola Bottling Company of Yakima SCORING LEADERS Brock Ravet Nate Whitaker Diego Garza Ki Castilleja Kyle Underwood RK NAME YR SCHOOL G PTS AVG HI 1 Brock Ravet So Kittitas Elijah Pepper So Selah Trey Sanchez Jr Sunnyside Trey Delp Sr Zillah Hunter Jacob Sr Wapato Gunner Chronis Jr Grandview Cameron Clark Sr Ephrata Wesley Abrams Sr White Swan Scott Blakney Sr Prosser Justin Van De Brake Sr West Valley Diego Garza Jr Mabton Gabe Esqueda Sr Grandview Nate Whitaker Sr Zillah Ki Castilleja Sr White Swan Reagan Haas So RS Christian Tyler Fitchett Sr Eisenhower David Lindgren Sr West Valley Max Ruiz Jr Mabton Isiah Perez Jr Toppenish Collin Kelley Jr Davis Art Palacios Jr Sunnyside Zakery Donato Jr Selah Ray Cheney Sr White Swan Deltray Redick Sr Eisenhower Kobe Kohls Jr Naches Kyle Underwood Jr Bickleton Nate Brown Sr Prosser Jordan Martin Sr La Salle Alex Mains Jr Goldendale Luke Wagenaar Jr SS Christian Daniel Chavez Sr Quincy Isaac Perez Fr Toppenish Jacob Oxos Jr Ephrata Chance Marsh Jr SS Christian Adonis Shaul Jr Toppenish Cade Bosma Jr SS Christian Alex Delgado Jr Davis Bryce Helgeson Sr Ellensburg Jess Beierle Sr Goldendale Blake Gibson Sr Ellensburg Calvin Herting So Selah Jake Slade Sr Granger Justin Strom Jr Yak. Tribal Dallin Cluff Jr West Valley Steele Venters So Ellensburg Elijah Pepper Selah RK NAME YR SCHOOL Pts DATE 1 Hunter Jacob Sr Wapato 52 1/23 W 2 Wesley Abrams Sr White Swan 51 12/22 W 3 Brock Ravet So Kittitas 42 12/29 W Trey Sanchez Jr Sunnyside 42 12/3 L 5 Trey Delp Sr Zillah 40 1/23 L Brock Ravet So Kittitas 40 12/2 W 7 Gunner Chronis Jr Grandview 39 12/10 W Elijah Pepper So Selah 39 12/10 W J. Van De Brake Sr West Valley 39 1/7 W 10 Wesley Abrams Sr White Swan 38 1/25 L Trey Sanchez Jr Sunnyside 38 12/13 W 9 Trey Delp Sr Zillah 37 1/10 W 10 Zak Donato Jr Selah 36 1/14 W 11 Cam Clark Sr Ephrata 35 12/3 W Cam Clark Sr Ephrata 35 12/8 W Brock Ravet So Kittitas 35 1/21 W 13 Trey Delp Sr Zillah 34 1/6 W Brock Ravet So Kittitas 34 1/13 W 15 Gabe Esqueda Jr Grandview 33 12/13 L 16 Isiah Perez Jr Toppenish 33 12/10 L Elijah Pepper So Selah 33 12/9 W Elijah Pepper So Selah 33 1/14 W Brock Ravet So Kittitas 33 1/25 W Brock Ravet So Kittitas 33 1/7 W Trey Sanchez Jr Sunnyside 33 12/30 W Refresh Your World! Pepsi Cola Bottling Company of Yakima SPORTS PLACE Page 6

7 Page 7 THE PLACE FOR SPORTS March 1, 2017 Ron s Coin & Collectible Huge Inventory of Items! 6 North 3rd Street Yakima REGULAR SEASON ONLY SCORING LEADERS Alexis Castro Emilee Maldonado Adriel Willis Brooke Wheeler Kristen Broersma Ron s Coin & Collectible RK NAME YR SCHOOL G PTS AVG HI 1 Alexis Castro Sr Granger Janealle Sutterlict So Wapato Adrielle Willis Sr Selah Emilee Maldonado Sr Sunnyside Jenni Johnson Jr Toppenish T Mesh Mills Sr Yakama Tribal Ocean Bryan Sr Goldendale Britnee Guerrero Jr Mabton Ashley Anderson Jr White Swan Jessica Cheney Jr White Swan Marissa Cortes So Prosser Taryn Hart Jr Wapato Macy Hampton So Othello Trista Takes Enemy Sr Zillah Kylie Wilkie So Selah Sailor Liefke Jr SS Christian Piper Williams So Kittitas Grace Terrill Fr Cle Elum Piper Lukas So Naches Grace Meza Jr Grandview Nicole Rasmussen Jr West Valley Kristen Broersma Sr SS Christian Ashlee Maldonado So Sunnyside Elly Teske Sr West Valley Abbie Myers Jr Zillah Brooke Wheeler Jr Prosser Allison Gilliam Jr Goldendale Kalleigh Denton Sr East Valley Michelle Ruiz So Grandview Samantha Bowman Jr Zillah Alyssa Martin Jr SS Christian Elisabeth Anderson Jr Naches Ashley Shurtleff So Selah Melli Rodriguez Sr Cle Elum Kalli Fahey Jr Ellensburg Tatiana White So La Salle Ariana White So Toppenish Chehalis Aleck Jr Wapato Jayleen Vasquez So Granger Kaitlyn Gasseling Sr West Valley Huge Inventory of Items! 6 North 3rd Street Yakima BUY SELL TRADE Gold Silver Coins Jewelry Comic Books Sports Memorbelia Music Serving Yakima for Over 40 Years Marissa Cortes Prosser Named the CWAC MVP, Marissa Cortes is a terror on both ends of the court. Her father and several of his brothers were standout baseball players at Toppenish. RK NAME YR SCHOOL Pts DATE 1 Adriel Willis Sr Selah 37 12/10 W 2 Alexis Castro Sr Granger 34 1/28 W Sailor Liefke Jr SS Christian 34 12/18 W 4 Jessica Cheney Jr White Swan 31 12/16 L Jenni Johnson Jr Toppenish 31 1/5 W Emilee Maldonado Sr Sunnyside 31 12/10 W Emilee Maldonado Sr Sunnyside 31 12/17 W Nicole Rasmussen Jr West Valley 31 1/21 W Janealle Sutterlict So Wapato 31 1/3 W Adriel Willis Sr Selah 31 1/3 W 11 Britnee Guerrero Jr Mabton 29 12/6 W 12 T Mesh Mills Sr Yak Tribal 30 1/6 W 13 Alexis Castro Sr Granger 29 2/3 W Britnee Guerrero Jr Mabton 29 12/6 W T Mesh Mills Sr Yak Tribal 29 12/3 W Trista Takes Enemy Sr Zillah 29 1/24 W Janealle Sutterlict So Wapato 29 12/3 W 18 Piper Lukas So Naches 28 12/13 W Janealle Sutterlict So Wapato 28 1/21 W 20 Elisabeth Anderson Fr Naches 27 12/17 L Kristen Broersma Sr SS Christian 27 12/10 W Martial Arts Supplies Collecting is Fun! SPORTS PLACE Page 7

8 Page 8 THE PLACE FOR SPORTS March 1, 2017 Home of the SUPER TRUCKER BURGER! PHOTO GALLERY 108 Yakima Valley Hwy Sunnyside, WA (509) KEEP AN EYE ON Grandview s Gabe Esqueda who averaged nearly 18 ppg for the Hounds. He had a single-game high of 33 points. SCORING TRIO Ashley Anderson of White Swan, Janealle Sutterlict of Wapato and Jessica Cheney of White Swan stopped by to pose for this photo after a broadcast between the Cougar boys and Kittitas. Kyler Bachofner has led Prosser to their first playoff appearance since the Lady Mustangs won the state championship in Former Wapato standout, Kyle Lundberg, has turned around the girl s program at Medical Lake. They are 20-2 and Northeast 1A and District Champions. They play LaSalle this weekend in a winner-tostate game at Cheney High School. Valley Favorite Wide-Ranging Menu Speedy Service Locally Owned SINCE 1947! BURGERS Burgers & Fries Foot Long Hot Dogs Ice Cream Kid s Meals Chicken Meals Corn Dogs Inside Seating Family Atmosphere SPORTS PLACE Page 8

9 Page 12 THE PLACE FOR SPORTS March 1, 2017 (MAIN STORY - From the front page) They proved their meddle by finishing 14-0 in league and blitzing to the District Championship. They have a 20-5 record but get this they lost to unbeaten 3A Lincoln (24-0) and 3A Timberline (18-6). Their other three losses? Out-of-state at the prestigious Max Preps Holiday Classic. Those three losses to top tier nationally ranked teams, made them the 20th best 2A team in the state according to the RPI. They wound up 13th in the seeding because several other teams in front of them failed to make it out of districts. They play #12 Woodland and are the visiting team. It has even affected local teams as well. Looking at the girls, Wapato beat Prosser three times, including the District Championship last Saturday at Eisenhower. Their reward? Well cutting down the nets was special, but they already knew they would be playing in Yakima the first week of March for some real hardware. Rated number seven, they travel to Tumwater to face W.F. West (Chehalis). The Lady Mustangs, rated number nine, play Franklin Pierce at Chiawana. Who got the better NEW NAME SAME OWNERS SAME LOCAL SERVICE! GREENE S reward? Albeit, the Lady Mustangs have to win to go to the Sun Dome, while Wapato is guaranteed a spot there, what is the logic though? Wapato, you will play at state, but first you have to travel to Mount Vernon. Oh, Prosser the team you beat? They get to stay close to home, but they re not guaranteed a state berth. Wink, wink. There are several problems including Clarkston, defending back-to-back state champions, who got upset in a glue crossover against Prosser and are out. The Zillah girls won a thrilling District title against Granger and play a loser-out game against Elma. Meanwhile the Lady Spartans host Bellevue Christian in a state-seeding game. The RPI came about because of schools like Zillah who met Lynden Christian in a loser-out Regional contest last year. Here s an idea: Go back to a 16-team tournament, (you re renting the facility for four days anyway), throw away the RPI and let the coaches meet to seed the teams. Sure there will probably be disagreements, but they know who the best teams are, not a computer. (Formerly Sunnyside Tire Factory) Air Conditioning Alignment Batteries Belts & Hoses Custom Wheels Farm Service Front End Oil Changes Safety Inspection Shocks & Struts Tire Service Much, Much More! Owned & Operated by Dave, Nancy, Rob & Dan Greene SPORTS PLACE Page 12