Whitworth’s Guthrie has range

Describing Emily Guthrie as Whitworth’s long-range specialist is quite an understatement. Guthrie, a senior guard, led the Pirates in scoring as a sophomore and was their top 3-point shooter last season. Putting the ball in the hole from 20 feet away is one thing, but Guthrie has a habit of extending that range to 135 yards. The Snohomish (Wash.) High graduate has four holes-in-one during her life, including two while competing for the Pirates. “It’s crazy, right?” Guthrie said. “I know I’m lucky.” Guthrie aced a 135-yard hole during May’s Division III national tournament and “stovepiped” a hole-in-one from 128 yards during a tournament in Idaho this fall. The shot flew directly into the hole. Guthrie is waiting for her 3-point shooting to come around this season. Guthrie, who had 58 3-pointers last season, went 5 for 9 from long range in the Pirates’ opener but is 2 for 22 since. “I’m not worried about it,” the kinesiology and nursing major said. “I’ve done this before. (Coach) Helen (Higgs) gives me a lot of confidence. She knows I can shoot well and tells me to keep taking shots.” Even if her shot isn’t falling, Guthrie adds an extra dimension at guard, ranking tied for second in rebounding for the team. Hawaiian punch Washington State’s offense has warmed up by adding a tropical treat. Lia Galdeira, a freshman from Hawaii, is leading the Cougars in scoring (17.2 ppg) through five games, including a team freshman-record 33 points against Minnesota. “(Coach June Daugherty) wanted me to bring energy to the team,” Galdeira said on her way to tonight’s game against UC Riverside. Galdeira, a three-time state player of the year, came to Pullman with Konawaena High teammate Dawnyelle Awa, whose mother, Bobbie, coached their successful prep team. Galdeira played football with her four older brothers until she became serious about basketball in the fifth grade. Although she also leads the Cougars in steals, and is second in assists and rebounds, Galdeira said she can improve. “Everything, but mainly defense,” she said. “Getting to the right spot, talking, knowing where to be at the right time.” Tip-ins Junior guards Leslie Stillar (8.0 ppg) of Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls) and Daisy Burke (7.6) of Lewis and Clark are Central Washington’s fourth- and fifth-leading scorers while coming off the bench. Freshman forward/center Jasmine Parker of Mead starts for the Wildcats and averages 5.6 ppg. … Junior guard Korina Baker (North Idaho College/Freeman) leads Southern Methodist University (5-1) with 22 assists and eight 3-pointers. Baker is the only player on the roster from west of Texas. … Freshman guard Jamie Weisner (Clarkston) is off to a flying start with Oregon State (3-2), coming off the bench to average 7.8 ppg, third best on the team.