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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Ccs Women Shoot For Top Strong Nucleus Gives Sasquatch High Hoops

Kris Gilroy Correspondent

Bruce Johnson’s strategy is simple.

“Basically, our goals are always to win the region and be the first seed going into the tournament.”

Such is the plan of attack for the Community Colleges of Spokane women’s basketball team.

CCS was second in Region III last year, finishing 21-11 overall and 7-5 in the NWAACC’s Eastern Division. The Sasquatch were seventh in the NWAACC tournament.

However, Johnson thinks the Sasquatch may have an even better chance at the title this season.

“We can put a more athletic crew on the floor and just do more things,” the 10th-year coach said.

Last year, the Sasquatch came close. After their second-place finish in the region, they knocked Wenatchee out in a playoff game to land a spot in the eight-team NWAACC tournament. In the end, the best they could do was finish seventh.

The 1997-98 roster includes five sophomores and 10 freshmen. It’s a nucleus Johnson feels will be easy to build around.

“Anytime you have several sophomores back who all played different positions, you’ve got to be happy about that,” he added.

Six-foot Shelley Massingale, a second team All-Eastern Region player, is back. She is joined by 5-10 forward Kelli Pilkington. Christine Reagan, a 6-foot Cheney High graduate who missed most of last year following knee surgery, returns at center.

Alana Carlander, a 5-9 guard who averaged a team-high 12 points per game last year, is expected to be a strong part of the Sasquatch attack. Stephanie Shelton, 5-3, returns at point guard.

Alyssum Myrick, a 5-8 freshman point guard from Kittitas, is suffering from knee problems but could play a key role if she heals soon.

Lisa Bradley, a 5-9 guard from Gonzaga Prep, and Dawn Salfer, a 5-9 guard out of West Valley, are expected to contribute. Salfer started for the Eagles last year, helping them win the State AA championship. The team also will rely on 5-4 guard Lisa Bocook, an Eastern Washington transfer.

The team doesn’t lack size - there are three 6-footers and three 5-10 players. However, freshman 5-10 forward MaRida Douglas may be out because of health problems.

“We have a few people dinged here early, but nobody seriously hurt … hopefully,” Johnson said.

CCS opened with a 76-48 win over Lane CC in the Bellevue Thanksgiving Classic.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo

MEMO: Three sidebars appeared with the story: 1. Facts and figures Coach: Bruce Johnson (10th year) Assistant coaches: Craig Johnson, Jerry Skaife, Enver Apaydin 1996 record: 21-11, 7-5 in NWAACC Eastern Division (second in division and seventh in NWAACC) Players to watch: So. Shelley Massingale (6-0 G); So. Kelli Pilkington (5-10 F); So. Alana Carlander (5-9 G); So. Stephanie Shelton (5-3 G). Key newcomers: Fr. Alyssum Myrick (5-8 G); Fr. Lisa Bradley (5-9 G); Fr. Dawn Salfer (5-9 G); Fr. Lisa Bocook (5-4 G). Bonus points The Sasquatch lost eight players from last season and have 10 newcomers. … Assistant Jerry Skaife retired as head coach of women’s softball last year but couldn’t stay away from coaching … CCS’ first Region II game is at home on Jan. 7 against Columbia Basin. Outlook: The Sasquatch, who finished second in the region last season, have a versatile core of sophomores and a large group of freshmen. To reach Johnson’s goal of winning the region and being in the No. 1 spot going into the NWAACC tournament, CCS will have to play tough against Wenatchee. The Sasquatch spoiled the Knights’ chances of going to the tournament last season in a playoff game, but Wenatchee returns all but one player.

2. CCC women’s basketball roster Name Pos. Ht. Yr. High school Lisa Bocook G 5-4 So. Reardan Lisa Bradley G 5-9 Fr. Gonzaga Prep Alana Carlander G 5-9 So. Riverside MaRida Douglas F 5-10 Fr. Richland Shanna Gazaway G 5-3 Fr. University Shelley Massingale F 6-0 So. Kennewick Alyssum Myrick G 5-8 Fr. Kittitas Katie Norman F 5-10 Fr. Riverview Kelli Pilkington F 5-10 So. Shadle Park Christine Reagan C 6-0 Fr. Cheney Dawn Salfer G 5-9 Fr. West Valley Stephanie Shelton G 5-3 So. University Rebecca Stokes G 5-6 Fr. Waitsburg Bethany Watson W 5-8 Fr. Kennewick Kim Wilkins C 6-0 Fr. Lakeside

3. CCS women’s basketball schedule Date Opponent Time Nov. 28 Lane CC W 76-48 Nov. 29 Bellevue CC W 67-44 Nov. 30 vs. North Idaho, Bellevue 4 p.m. Dec. 2 at Central Washington J.V. 6 p.m. Dec. 5-7 Everett Classic TBA Dec. 12 vs. Clackamas, SFCC 6 p.m. Dec. 13 vs. Central Washington J.V,. SFCC 6 p.m. Dec. 16 at North Idaho 5:30 p.m. Dec. 19-21 Clackamas Crossover TBA Dec. 30 CCS Alumni, SCC 5:30 p.m. Jan. 2 North Idaho at Moses Lake 2 p.m. Jan. 3 Okanogan at Moses Lake 1 p.m. Jan 7 vs. Columbia Basin CC, SCC 6 p.m. Jan. 10 at Blue Mountain 6 p.m. Jan. 17 at Wenatchee Valley CC 6 p.m. Jan. 21 vs. Yakima Valley, SFCC 6 p.m. Jan. 24 at Walla Walla CC 6 p.m. Jan. 28 vs. Big Bend, SFCC 6 p.m. Jan. 31 vs. Blue Mountain, SCC 6 p.m. Feb. 4 at Columbia Basin 6 p.m. Feb. 7 vs. Wentachee Valley CC, SCC 6 p.m. Feb. 14 vs. Walla Walla, SFCC 6 p.m. Feb. 18 at Yakima Valley 6 p.m. Feb. 21 Big Bend CC at Moses Lake 6 p.m. Feb. 26-28 Regional playoffs TBA Mar. 5-7 NWAACC Championships at Yakima TBA

Three sidebars appeared with the story: 1. Facts and figures Coach: Bruce Johnson (10th year) Assistant coaches: Craig Johnson, Jerry Skaife, Enver Apaydin 1996 record: 21-11, 7-5 in NWAACC Eastern Division (second in division and seventh in NWAACC) Players to watch: So. Shelley Massingale (6-0 G); So. Kelli Pilkington (5-10 F); So. Alana Carlander (5-9 G); So. Stephanie Shelton (5-3 G). Key newcomers: Fr. Alyssum Myrick (5-8 G); Fr. Lisa Bradley (5-9 G); Fr. Dawn Salfer (5-9 G); Fr. Lisa Bocook (5-4 G). Bonus points The Sasquatch lost eight players from last season and have 10 newcomers. … Assistant Jerry Skaife retired as head coach of women’s softball last year but couldn’t stay away from coaching … CCS’ first Region II game is at home on Jan. 7 against Columbia Basin. Outlook: The Sasquatch, who finished second in the region last season, have a versatile core of sophomores and a large group of freshmen. To reach Johnson’s goal of winning the region and being in the No. 1 spot going into the NWAACC tournament, CCS will have to play tough against Wenatchee. The Sasquatch spoiled the Knights’ chances of going to the tournament last season in a playoff game, but Wenatchee returns all but one player.

2. CCC women’s basketball roster Name Pos. Ht. Yr. High school Lisa Bocook G 5-4 So. Reardan Lisa Bradley G 5-9 Fr. Gonzaga Prep Alana Carlander G 5-9 So. Riverside MaRida Douglas F 5-10 Fr. Richland Shanna Gazaway G 5-3 Fr. University Shelley Massingale F 6-0 So. Kennewick Alyssum Myrick G 5-8 Fr. Kittitas Katie Norman F 5-10 Fr. Riverview Kelli Pilkington F 5-10 So. Shadle Park Christine Reagan C 6-0 Fr. Cheney Dawn Salfer G 5-9 Fr. West Valley Stephanie Shelton G 5-3 So. University Rebecca Stokes G 5-6 Fr. Waitsburg Bethany Watson W 5-8 Fr. Kennewick Kim Wilkins C 6-0 Fr. Lakeside

3. CCS women’s basketball schedule Date Opponent Time Nov. 28 Lane CC W 76-48 Nov. 29 Bellevue CC W 67-44 Nov. 30 vs. North Idaho, Bellevue 4 p.m. Dec. 2 at Central Washington J.V. 6 p.m. Dec. 5-7 Everett Classic TBA Dec. 12 vs. Clackamas, SFCC 6 p.m. Dec. 13 vs. Central Washington J.V,. SFCC 6 p.m. Dec. 16 at North Idaho 5:30 p.m. Dec. 19-21 Clackamas Crossover TBA Dec. 30 CCS Alumni, SCC 5:30 p.m. Jan. 2 North Idaho at Moses Lake 2 p.m. Jan. 3 Okanogan at Moses Lake 1 p.m. Jan 7 vs. Columbia Basin CC, SCC 6 p.m. Jan. 10 at Blue Mountain 6 p.m. Jan. 17 at Wenatchee Valley CC 6 p.m. Jan. 21 vs. Yakima Valley, SFCC 6 p.m. Jan. 24 at Walla Walla CC 6 p.m. Jan. 28 vs. Big Bend, SFCC 6 p.m. Jan. 31 vs. Blue Mountain, SCC 6 p.m. Feb. 4 at Columbia Basin 6 p.m. Feb. 7 vs. Wentachee Valley CC, SCC 6 p.m. Feb. 14 vs. Walla Walla, SFCC 6 p.m. Feb. 18 at Yakima Valley 6 p.m. Feb. 21 Big Bend CC at Moses Lake 6 p.m. Feb. 26-28 Regional playoffs TBA Mar. 5-7 NWAACC Championships at Yakima TBA