Covering sports in the talent-laden athletic regions of the Eastside is a dream job for a sports journalist.

I have always admired from afar the tradition of excellence exhibited in the world of high school athletics by teams from the Bellevue, Issaquah and Sammamish regions. It seemed like every time I checked the bracket of the state playoffs over the past decade for the wide assortment of high school state tournaments and competitions, that teams and athletes from this area dominated bracket sheets located on the WIAA website.

Prior to accepting the sports reporter position with the Bellevue Reporter and Issaquah/Sammamish Reporter, I was the sports editor with the Puyallup Herald newspaper for nearly seven years. Change is a constant in modern day society and I’m ecstatic about making the move north to be your sports reporter.

My first day on the job was on Aug. 22.

I’ve worked in journalism as a full-time writer since September 2005 and earned a bachelor’s degree in communication from Washington State University in July 2004. I grew up in the small town of Belfair, which is 71 miles west of Bellevue on the Kitsap Peninsula.

My philosophy as a journalist is to delve beyond the box scores, stats and the standings. The key to telling a great story is to discover the smallest of details and present them in a manner where readers feel like they’re in the midst of the action. That is what it’s all about and is something I strive for on a daily basis.

I’m looking forward not only to covering high school athletics, but also writing articles about community athletic endeavors and outdoor recreation as well. This area has a wide variety of activities going on simultaneously and I plan on covering as much ground as I possibly can for this community. My passion for sports is immense and I cannot wait to tell your stories.

The fall is one of the busiest times of the year for sports reporters, which is something I embrace wholeheartedly. September can’t get here soon enough. Please feel free to contact me by email or phone anytime if you have a potential story idea you would like to share.

Shaun Scott: 425-453-5045; sscott@bellevuereporter.com