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In this Bonus Episode, Neil sits down with East County Legends, "Sweetie” Suter and Bill Bakamus.
In the late 1950s, in the logging town of Morton, Washington, a young man named “Sweetie” Suter became a symbol of pride and possibility. Standing just 5′8′′, he seemed almost undersized for a sport dominated by height, yet on the court he was a giant — a player defined by precision, quickness, and an unrelenting competitive spirit. His scoring records, achieved before the invention of the three-point shot, were earned the hard way: through accuracy, fundamentals, and a sense of timing that made him nearly unstoppable. Decades later, those same records still stand as a testament to both his talent and his time. Suter’s success reached far beyond the scoreboard. In small communities like Morton and neighboring White Pass, high school basketball wasn’t just a game — it was the
heartbeat of winter nights. Rivalries filled packed gymnasiums, drawing families,
loggers, and millworkers together in shared excitement and civic pride. Each basket Sweetie sank carried the hopes of a town that measured greatness not in inches, but in effort, teamwork, and heart. Long before highlight reels and social media, stories of his lightning quick drives and pinpoint accuracy traveled by word-of-mouth from one valley to the next. Even now, decades later, his name evokes memories of a golden era in rural Washington sports — when community mattered, and a small town hero could inspire generations. Sweetie Suter remains one of those rare figures who transcends statistics. His story is a reminder that greatness often emerges from the humblest places — and that true legends are measured not by their size, but by the size of their heart.
For more than four decades, Bill Bakamus defined what it meant to be a coach — and to be the best in Washington State high school basketball history. His story begins in Morton, Washington, where hard work and faith were a way of life. Bill’s father, Vladimir Bakamus, was a respected man in the community — a steady example of grit and humility — and those values became the foundation for how Bill approached both life and basketball. After his early days in Morton, Bill Bakamus’s career took shape at Mark Morris High School in Longview, where his teams became known for their discipline, intensity, and respect for the game. Year after year, his squads earned a reputation not just for winning titles, but for how they played — with precision, unselfishness, and heart. His name became synonymous with excellence in coaching and character in leadership. Behind every championship, though, was a story of sacrifice — long hours, personal
challenges, and the constant balancing act of family and career. Coaching was never just a job for Bill Bakamus; it was a calling, one grounded in faith, hard work, and a deep love for helping young men discover their potential. His players didn’t just learn plays; they learned life lessons — discipline, integrity, and perseverance. Bill Bakamus isn’t just a name in the record books. He’s a reminder that greatness in coaching comes not only from trophies, but from the lives you influence along the way. He remains a man of faith, of purpose, and of quiet humor — still young enough to write the next chapter of his story. Who knows which college might be calling next? What will he do when that phone rings tomorrow? Hear his story — and the game of winning.
