Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

High school league previews

GSL outlook

U-Hi returns five all-leaguers from last year’s fourth-place team at the State 3A tournament. The first-teamers are senior shortstop Taylor Morales and junior third baseman Brooklynn Tacke. Senior first baseman Hannah Wesselman, junior pitcher/1B Alex Douglas and junior center fielder Rachael Johnson were second-teamers. “Our team has high expectations for the year and if they play together, we look to make a run in the postseason,” coach Jon Schuh said. … CV tied NC for first place last year with a senior-heavy roster. The Bears return first-team all-league senior P Carli Riordan, a Montana recruit who pitched a no-hitter in her league opener. Senior Kiara McCoy, another all-leaguer, moved to Bakersfield, Calif., but the Bears picked up junior SS Shayla Vegas, a transfer from Fort Worth, Texas. … Mead, a regional qualifier last year, returns senior CF Ashlynn Bocook, a three-year first-teamer, and two second-teamers: senior left fielder Ashley Patterson and junior P Kylie Bremner. “We have solid line-drive hitters and defense and look to compete for the 4A crown,” coach Joel Shawen said. … Senior CF Berkley Fisher, a first-team all-leaguer, leads Shadle, which advanced to the 3A regional last year. Second-team returners are senior P Brittney Gately, junior second baseman Sarah Tiffany and sophomore catcher Leslie Jones. “We’ll take our lumps but will get better as the season moves along,” coach Guy Perham said. … Mt. Spokane welcomes back two senior all-leaguers: first-teamer Shania Lawrence at 2B and second-teamer Markee Jackson at 1B. “I like our athleticism,” coach Carl Adams said. “It serves us well defensively and should help us be on base more and put pressure on opposing defenses.” … G-Prep has one of the league’s top pitchers in senior Selena Rima, a first-team all-leaguer last season. … Senior SS Lauren Hare, a second-teamer, returns for NC, which advanced to regionals last year. “(She) leads a young team that should be able to compete for some quality wins,” coach Rob Kuehn said. … Second-teamer Sage Scheiwiller, who has committed to Division III New York University, will pitch and is one of five returning starters for Paul Neff, in his sixth year with LC. … Ferris returns senior P Michele Strauss, a strikeout specialist, and welcomes three freshmen who will start in key positions. … Rogers starting P Kalena Quilt returns after one year at Taholah. “(We) will definitely be a completely different team from last year and compete for a number of wins and possibly a playoff spot,” coach Cris Coffield said.

GNL outlook

Colville, which finished 24-3 overall and 2-2 at the State 2A tournament last season, returns four starters, including last year’s GNL Most Valuable Player, senior P McKenna Cabbage. Three other seniors were second-teamers: 3B Emily Poling, OF Jessi Wittmeyer and INF Hannah Smith. First-team INF April Hinds chose not to return. “(We have a) mostly new infield and lost our first-, third-, fifth-, sixth- and seventh-place hitters,” coach Jim Ebel said. “We should be OK, barring injuries.” … Cheney returns first-team 1B Amy Anderson, a senior, and three second-teamers: junior P/OF Julia Boyd, senior C/OF Shay Turner and junior OF/3B Adrianna Suiter. “I believe that the league will be more balanced this year and that the league championship may go down to the wire,” coach Gary Blake said. … Deer Park returns one of the league’s premier pitchers, sophomore first-teamer Kylie Sweeney, and sophomore INF Carlee Durgeloh, a second-teamer. … WV returns senior C Katelyn Sage, a first-team all-league utility player last season. … Clarkston returns second-teamer Megan Aliverti, a sophomore INF. … Junior first-team INF Jackie Lucas and senior second-team P Ciera Lockwood return for EV. … Pullman coach Wendy Kruger welcomes back six lettermen. “They are approaching each practice with the intent to get better every day,” Kruger said.

IEL 5A outlook

It should be quite a race between Lake City, which finished 28-0 while winning the state title last season, and CdA, which placed third after nearly knocking off the Timberwolves in the semifinals. CdA edged LC 4-3 on Tuesday in the first of four regular-season games scheduled between the teams. … CdA returns six starters including four all-leaguers, all seniors: 3B/outfielder Brooke Albertson, 2B/SS Sydni Parker, OF Zoe Clark and 1B Kayla Albertson. “If our young pitching holds up, we should be in the hunt for league, district and state championships,” coach Larry Bieber said. The Vikings have won five state titles since 1998 and placed second six times. … LC returns four all-leaguers among its seven returning starters: senior 2B Vanessa Shippy (Oklahoma State), senior SS Dakota Wilson, senior 3B Hailey Jackson (Daytona State) and junior CF JaeCie Wilson (oral commitment to Weber State). Senior P Jordyn McCracken is a Utah State recruit. “I see us back in the state-title game,” coach Laura Tolzmann-Fierro said. “We are ready to defend our title.” … Post Falls, four years removed from a state title, returns four starters. “We should be improved and will play hard and work on getting better,” coach Jack Foster said. … Lewiston returns senior all-league infielder Paige Wells.

IEL 4A outlook

Sandpoint’s five returning starters include all-leaguers Cody Baldree, a sophomore P/utility, and junior INF Topi Elsfelder. “This year we have as good as shot as ever to get to state,” coach Derek Dickinson said. “Anything less will be a disappointment.” … Moscow returns six starters, including three seniors who were all-leaguers: C/1B Haley Adams, 3B/P Deven Chandler and CF Monica Burnette. “As the season progresses, we hope to be in a position to be a factor in our league race,” coach Ted Matsuoka said. … Lakeland, which placed second at state last year, returns two all-leaguers: sophomore OF/P Kari Prockish and senior C Tifani Schorzman.

GSL predicted finish7. North Central
1. University4. Shadle Park8. Lewis and Clark
2. Central Valley5. Mt. Spokane9. Ferris
3. Mead6. Gonzaga Prep10. Rogers
GNL predicted finish5. Clarkston
1. Colville3. Deer Park6. East Valley
2. Cheney4. West Valley7. Pullman
IEL 5A predicted finish3. Lewiston
1. Coeur d’Alene2. Lake City4. Post Falls
IEL 4A predicted finish
1. Sandpoint2. Moscow3. Lakeland