The gym at Gray Middle School was filled with the sounds of a sports team scrimmage on a recent Saturday - yells from the players, thuds from the basketball making its way down the court, and even the occasional collision. The only difference between this and any other athletic team's practice is that each of the players was in a wheelchair. 

That, and the fact that these guys are good. Really good. So good that they haven't lost a game since November. So good that they've beaten all the other competitive wheelchair basketball teams in the Pacific Northwest. So good that they're heading to the National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) National Championships March 22-25. 

The Tacoma Titans are, if you'll pardon the pun, on a roll.

Yes, Tacoma's own wheelchair basketball team is headed to the national championships next month - and they're asking for the community's help to get them there.

Seattle Sounders FC announced today that it will take over Tacoma Tide, creating instead an under-23 "youth development" league.

The Sounders FC U-23, as the Tide will be known, begin play in May, and will be coached by Darren Sawatzky, Sounders FC Director of Youth Development.

From the Sounders:

 

Sounders FC U-23 will be operated by Pierce County business leaders Lane Smith and Cliff McElroy, who purchased the former Tacoma Tide FC and Sounders Women franchises in November. The Tide, who will now be known as Sounders FC U-23, has been a member of the PDL's Northwest Division since 2006.

The Sounders FC U-23s will play their home matches in Pierce County. The venue for the games will be announced at a later date.

After Ranger Margaret Anderson's memorial, I was leaving to head back to the station. Driving down the road I just happened to look in my side mirror to see Mount Rainier in all its splendor shining a bright pink hue as the sunset to the west.{C}

It hit me right then what Ranger Anderson was protecting. Not just the visitors of the mountain but that view we are so accustom to seeing all around the state. Seeing this was my little reminder to hug your loved ones more and go out and see the world around us. Take a trip to a national park and see for yourself what Ranger Anderson was fighting for every day. It was what she was there for and what she would want you to do.