Prep Notebook | McLaughlin leaves team at Inglemoor

Mark McLaughlin, Inglemoor's leading scorer and a Nevada signee, has left the boys basketball team, his mother, Maureen, confirmed Wednesday night.

She said McLaughlin needed more time to focus on academics to ensure his eligibility next year.

"It's just been too much," Maureen McLaughlin said. "He's got the SATs coming up in the next couple weeks. He needs to take care of his academics and make sure he qualifies. He feels bad for his team, but it's a good team. He loved this team."

She said "there wasn't any problem" between McLaughlin and Inglemoor coach Greg Lowell.

Lowell declined to comment on McLaughlin's departure, other than to say, "We wish Mark well. We hope the best for him. He's done some good things for this program the past couple years."

McLaughlin, a 6-foot-5 guard who averaged 21.3 points in 12 games this season, signed with Nevada during the early signing period in November. Maureen McLaughlin said the family spoke with Nevada coaches and "they understand" his decision to leave the Inglemoor team, she said. "It's an unfortunate situation."

Kennedy coach suspended

Kennedy administrators have given coach Tom Mummert a two-game suspension for his role in the Lancers' 112-16 girls basketball win over Evergreen of White Center last week, athletic director Bob Bourgette confirmed.

Mummert, who was promoted from assistant to head coach this season, was not allowed to attend Tuesday's game against Renton. Third-ranked Kennedy won 70-43 to improve to 12-0. Mummert will also miss Friday's contest with Hazen, but has been allowed to conduct practices.

Two Kennedy assistants, Karisa Mummert (Tom's daughter) and Keri Britt, coached Tuesday's game and will be in charge Friday.

WesCo wrestling streak at stake

The last time the Lake Stevens wrestling team lost a league dual meet, a gallon of gas cost about a buck, the Clinton administration was just beginning and current Vikings wrestlers were toddlers.

Lake Stevens has won 117 consecutive WesCo dual meets and 18 straight league titles, while claiming five state team championships.

But the streak will be tested tonight at 7 at Snohomish. Snohomish coach Kevin Judkins coached the 1993 Lynnwood team that was the last to beat Lake Stevens in a league dual meet.

Snohomish is 12-0 overall, 6-0 in the WesCo North and ranked seventh in Class 4A by Washington Wrestling Report. The Panthers feature 125-pounder Sam Ottow, a junior who transferred from Monroe after taking second place at state at 119 last season.

"They are hard to prepare for," said Lake Stevens coach Brent Barnes. "Snohomish can put you on your back from every position and earn bonus points, which may determine the outcome of this match."

The top-ranked Vikings (9-0, 6-0 league) feature returning state champion Zach Zweifel, who beat teammate Jack Stilwell in the Class 4A final at 103 last season. Zweifel wrestles at 112 this season, Stilwell at 119.

"It was never a goal of mine to have a streak, nor do I really focus my coaching on it," said Barnes. "We try to take it one season at a time and we want to beat Snohomish because it will be for the 2007-08 WesCo North title, nothing less, nothing more. The bottom line is it will be a very good match between two of the better teams in the state."

Times staff reporter Sandy Ringer and freelancer

Zach Landres-Schnur contributed to this report.