Inglemoor Player Charged With Assault

BELLEVUE - A 17-year-old Inglemoor High School basketball player was charged with misdemeanor assault after he knocked out an opponent's tooth with a surprise punch at the end of their Wes-King AAA District playoff game.

Bellevue police arrested Ryan Odegaard outside the Interlake High School gym Friday and booked him at the police station. Odegaard, a senior guard, was released to his parents.

Kevin Rohrich, a sophomore guard for the Woodinville High School Falcons, was rushed into oral surgery, but a doctor couldn't save his upper front tooth. Four other teeth were loosened and he suffered a possible concussion, his mother said.

"It looks like we have a year's worth of dental work - it's not going to be much fun," said Sandy Rohrich, Kevin's mother. "He got hit really hard. It split his lip."

She said Ryan Odegaard's father called yesterday to inquire about Kevin's injuries and apologize for his son.

Despite his pain, Mrs. Rohrich said Kevin, 16, wanted to play in last night's second-round game against Western Conference champion Cascade High School at Snohomish High School. "He'll go and be there and support his team," she said.

Mrs. Rohrich, who films every game, said she captured the incident on tape.

"He actually jumped right at Kevin and his right fist knocked him down. One swift movement," she said.

Capt. Bill Thomas of the Bellevue Police Department said players on both teams exchanged angry words and several technical fouls were called during the hard-fought, loser-out game, won by Woodinville over Inglemoor, the state's fifth-ranked team. When they met on the court to shake hands, Odegaard slugged Rohrich, Thomas said.