June 20, 2004 in Sports

Freeman’s DePell leads East to win

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In the end, it mattered not for whom Jessie DePell toiled.

A junior from Freeman High School, DePell played on the Class 1A East all-star squad that featured four players from past state championship teams. Despite never having played a state tournament game, the Scottie tossed in 17 points and grabbed a half-dozen rebounds to lead her team to a 86-69 victory in the Above The Rim all-state game Saturday at Mead High School – earning the game’s most valuable player award.

“As soon as we got here this morning, everyone was cool,” DePell said. “These are all girls I’ve played against for two years. It was easy to turn around and play with them. They’re all great players.”

DePell’s East squad had a decided Northeast A League flavor. Also on the team was her junior teammate from Freeman, Melissa Baker, Colfax seniors Kristen Webb and Jenna Vuletich, Lind-Ritzville’s Brittney Kubik and Kali Ramey from Northwest Christian.

Add to that list Zillah’s Cherie Perrault and Carrie Calhoun, who both have extensive state tournament experience, and Brewster’s Kaylan Crane, who played on two state championship teams.

The 5-foot-11 Freeman forward scored nine points over a 3-minute span late in the first half, sparking an East run that erased 30-22 deficit and put her team ahead, 32-30, with 2:56 remaining.

“Our point guard, Melissa Baker, makes things happen,” DePell demurred. “Somehow I get credit for them.”

Watts picked up where DePell left off, adding 14 points and grabbing seven rebounds. Baker added 11 points and three assists.

DePell said the experience from playing her first All-State game would pay off during her senior season.

“We’ve had pretty good seasons, we just haven’t made it to state,” she said. “But look at the teams we have to play against. Two teams from our league played in the state championship game.

“Actually, our coach has us playing in a summer basketball league at Gonzaga University right now and we’re working hard to get ready for this coming season.”

Sara Mosiman, a junior from King’s tossed in 16 points to lead the West.

“She was outstanding,” said Colfax coach Corey Baerlocher, who led the East. “I’m glad King’s is moving up a class so we won’t have to play her at state.”

B: East 74, West 69

The last time Tara Holgate played basketball in Spokane, she was an honorable mention State B all-tournament selection.

This time, she was MVP.

The 6-4 junior post from Snohomish County Christian grabbed a tournament-high 20 rebounds and scored 14 points to lead the West all-stars past the East all-stars.

Tekoa-Oakesdale’s Amber Lawhead drilled a pair of 3-pointers down the stretch to help the East to the victory.

3A-4A: West 78, East 71

Squalicum’s Kami Irwin nailed three 3-pointers and finished with a game-high 15 points to grab MVP honors and lead the West all-stars to a victory.

2A: West 62, East 52

Elma’s Willow Cabe earned MVP honors in leading the West all-stars to a victory. Cabe finished with 16 points and a game-high 19 rebounds.

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