Gsl Girls

In predicted order of finish with last year’s records in parenthesis:

Mead Panthers (15-1 GSL, 25-4 overall)

Coach: Jeanne Helfer, 13th year; 222-108 overall, 136-56 league.

Top returners: Stacy Clinesmith, 5-4 sr. point guard (co-MVP); Allison Beatty, 5-8 sr. G; Holly Turner, 5-10 jr. G; Shannon Roberts, 5-6 sr. G; Chelsea Clark, 6-1 sr. F; Jennifer Clark, 6-1 sr. F; Jennifer Bennett, 6-3 jr. F; Ann Marie Edburg, 5-10 sr. F; Jamie Wakefield, 5-10 jr. F. Newcomers: Amber Lunzer, 5-6 sr. G; Kellie Leaf, 5-5 jr. G.

Coach’s comment: “Everybody’s aware we basically return everybody. We have to have patience, unselfishness and understand our roles.”

Outlook: The role of defensive stopper will be filled by committee with Beatty, Roberts and a forward, depending on the opponent. If the 6-footers step up there’s reason to believe Mead’s next state trophy should be the big one.

Central Valley Bears (9-7, 12-14)

Coach: Dale Poffenroth, 9th year; 174-62 overall, 96-32 league.

Top returners: Sandra White, 5-6 sr. G; Crystal Lee, 5-10 jr. F; Carrie Sanders, 5-9 sr. F; Marcy Macphee, 5-8 jr. F; Ginger Clark 5-10 jr. F; Jessica Ault, 5-8 sr. F; Katie Carpenter, 5-7 jr. G; Angela Dahlgren, 5-4 jr. G; Andrea Kallas, 5-4 jr. G; Angela Kallas, 5-3 jr. G. Newcomers: Rikki Jackson, 5-8 soph. G; Jenny Coyle, 5-9 soph. F; Tiffany Schmidt, 5-9 soph. F; Lindsey Shoquist, 5-7 soph. G.

Coach’s comment: “If I don’t screw it up, chemistry is a big strength right now. They’re happy.”

Outlook: If the Bears can utilize their speed and athletic ability to overcome their lack of size, they should make their eighth-straight regional appearance.

Ferris Saxons (12-4, 20-7)

Coach: Janet Skaife, 5th year; 40-49, 26-28 league.

Top returners: Jayme Morrisette, 5-11 sr. G; Jennifer Swinton, 6-1 sr. P; Emily Brown, 5-7 sr. G; Karie Pruett, 5-7 soph. G; Misty Martin, 5-5 sr. G; Nicole Watkinson, 5-9 sr. F; Stephanie Williams, 5-10 sr. P. Newcomers: Alli Wohl, 5-4 soph. G; Amy George, 5-8 soph. G; Lily Sizemore, 5-5 soph. G; Kelly McCaffery, 5-10 frosh. F; Beth Rasmussen, 5-9 sr. G; Devin Curry, 5-5 sr. G; Janelle Morrisette, 5-11 soph. P.

Coach’s comment: “I think realistically we can have another 20 win season. We’d like to finish in the top four in district, the top three in regionals and No. 1 at state. I’m not sure how deep we can go. We don’t have a junior on the squad.”

Outlook: Swinton and Morrisette have to provide strong leadership and become more offensive minded to take the pressure off the five sophomores and one freshman if the Saxons are to duplicate last year’s success when they beat Mead at district.

Gonzaga Prep Bullpups (7-9, 10-11)

Coach: Mike Arte, 8th year; 64-70 overall, 45-67 league.

Top returners: Molly Bloom, 5-9 sr. W; Bridget Cronin, 5-8 sr. W; Courtney Main, 5-6 jr. G; Jennifer Williams, 6-1 jr. P; Theresa Palmer, 6-1 jr. P; Caryn Nadeau, 5-7 jr. W; Danielle Thorn, 5-6 jr. G. Newcomers: Paulette Jordan, 5-11 soph. G; Lisa Bradley, 5-9 jr. P; Kelle Kendrick, 5-9 soph. G; Sarah Hession, 5-9 sr. P; Meghann Green, 5-10 soph. P.

Coach’s comment: “Our first five are fairly talented and work fairly well together. The key is if we can improve the kids that are playing roles for us, coming off the bench. We don’t have a lot of experience on the bench. If those girls improve and gain some experience I think we’re going to be pretty good.”

Outlook: Thorn, the projected point guard, will probably miss the season with a knee injury suffered in soccer. If either Kendrick or Jordan step up to get the ball inside to the 6-footers, the Bullpups could get to the regional for the first time since 1986.

University Titans (8-8, 11-10)

Coach: Bob Finn, 3rd year; 25-21 overall, 16-16 league.

Top returners: Syd Perno, 6-0 F; Sally Jamison, 5-5 G; Stephanie Shelton, 5-5 G; Emily Stuenkel, 5-6 G; Adrienne Wilson, 5-8 G; Tracie Vlahovich, 5-5 F. Newcomers: Crystal Conant, 5-6 soph. G; Katie Oglesbee, 6-0 soph. P; Julie Hinckley, 5-11 sr. P transfer from CV; Denise Yost, 5-7 sr. F.

Coach’s comment: “We don’t have any proven people that averaged 20 points a game but we can put four girls on the floor who can average 10 to 15 points a game.”

Outlook: Injuries and inexperience have made point guard a problem area in recent years so the Titans are going to a two-guard offense to spread the pressure around. If Perno stays out of foul trouble, she can dominate and if Wilson steps up, the Titans could challenge for a higher spot.

Shadle Park Highlanders (15-1, 23-6)

Coach: Linda Sheridan, 19th year; 343-104 overall, 216-60 league.

Top returners: Kelli Pilkington, 5-10 sr. W-P; JoEne Heimbigner 5-10 sr. W; Johanna Alexander, 5-5 sr. G-W; Courtney Clary, 5-7 sr. W-G; Rainie Drake, 5-8 sr. W; Mary Johnson, 5-9 sr. P-W. Newcomers: Vanessa Larkin, 5-7 sr. G-W; Emily Christensen, 5-9 soph. W-P; Brooke Olzendam, 5-8 soph. W-G; Harmony Nelson, 5-8 jr. W; Joy Potter, 5-8 jr. W; Sara Harchuck, 5-8 soph. G-W.

Coach’s comment: “We have no height. We don’t have a legitimate post on the team. We have some kids that have pretty good one-on-one skills and good shooters. We’re going to have to force some people to come outside so size isn’t such a big factor. We’re going to have to play some interesting and aggressive defenses.”

Outlook: The Highlanders are going to have to be giant killers, but Sheridan is just looking for that top-six finish. Two years ago Shadle Park blew a double-overtime game that cost a state trophy after needing an OT win in a tie-breaker to make district.

Lewis and Clark Tigers (4-12, 6-14)

Coach: Jeff Norton, 1st year.

Top returners: Sara Stillian, 5-10 sr. C; Becki Huddle, 5-6 jr. G; Danielle Davey, 5-6 jr. W.

Newcomers: Katie Marquess, 5-6 soph. W; Donelle Barlow, 5-7 jr. W; Caley Clark, 5-5 sr. W; Cassie Weiler, 5-8 jr. C; Sara Giebel, 5-5 soph. W; Janell Wendle, 5-5 frosh. G; Desta Springer, 5-8 jr. W; Marty Thompson, 5-10 soph. C; Carlin Oeljen, 5-10 soph. W.

Outlook: Norton, the boys B-squad coach, took the job just days before practice when Dick Trudgeon was put on leave. Realistically, the Indians are too young (only two seniors) and too short (5-10 centers) to challenge in a tough league but there is hope for the future.

Coach’s comment: “The girls are handling it really well. They’ve stayed real positive. They just want to carry on and play basketball, be the best they can be. They’ve really accepted me.

Rogers Pirates (2-14, 3-15)

Coach: Drew Vanderpool, 13th year (1st at Rogers); 160-87 high school; 16-36 college.

Top returners: Teana Scott, 6-0 sr. F-C; Jaimie Christiensen, 5-4 jr. G; Mandy Flores, 5-6 sr. G.

Newcomers: Jenifor Wells, 5-6 sr. G; Lemandy Tannehill, 5-9 jr. F; Brandie Connors, 5-8 sr. G; Tami Bertholf, 5-10 sr. C; Christina Delger, 5-8 soph. G; Monica Abrahamson, 5-10 soph. F-C; Terra Callagahn, 5-2 soph. F; Angel Fairbanks, 5-9 soph. F; Anna Mullerleile, 5-9 jr. F.

Coach’s comment: “They’re doing everything very well. They have a good attitude, very positive, and they listen well. We’re spending a lot of time on the basics. It’s been a lot for them, but they’re very positive about it.”

Outlook: The rebuilding begins again with only three letter winners and four seniors but if Vanderpool sticks around, his track record, 80-42 with high schools girls and most recently 80-45 with boys, is reason for optimism.

North Central Indians (0-16, 1-19)

Coach: John Reid, 1st year.

Top returners: Aimee Wilson, 5-10 sr. F; Tera Young, 5-8 sr. G; Meagan DeLauder, 5-4 sr. G; Lisa Hammond, 5-7 jr. G; Amber Johnson, 5-10 sr. G-F; Shannon Nelson, 5-9 jr. G-F; Erin Schumacher, 5-10 sr. F. Newcomers: Reana Emery-Cloy, 5-6 jr. G; Lori Kostelecky, 5-5 sr. G; Katy Meredith, 5-7 sr. G; Jamie Smith, 5-11 sr. F-C; Rache Stotts-Johnson, 6-1 jr. C.

Coach’s comment: “With a new program coming in, they’re enthusiastic. We’re going to be a mystery. We’re going to have to get the ball between the foul lines, get used to handling pressure because we’re going to get pressured a lot. In the GSL, there is a lot of experience.”

Outlook: Enthusiastic new coach and excitement of a state volleyball title might be the building blocks the Indians need to begin the long road back.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Key players 1. Chelsea Clark, 6-1, senior, forward, Mead. If Clark, or another Panthers front-liner, can deliver the basket when Stacy Clinesmith delivers the ball, a state title is possible. 2. Rikki Jackson, 5-9, sophomore, guard, Central Valley. The long-awaited arrival of Clinesmith’s heir-apparent as the next great guard, she needs to take load off Crystal Lee. 3. Karie Pruett, 5-7, sophomore, guard, Ferris. A starter as a freshman who will have to help Jennifer Swinton and Jayme Morrisette for the Saxons to live up to expectations. 4. Jennifer Williams, 6-1, junior, forward, Gonzaga Prep. Has to shoulder the load until a point guard emerges for Bullpups to contend. 5. Adrienne Wilson, 5-8, senior, guard, University. Proved herself as outstanding athlete in track; if that carries over to basketball, the Titans could be much improved. She will lessen burden on Syd Perno.