Border League Girls Basketball Preview

Lake City Timberwolves

1996-97 record: 22-4 (second at state)

Coach: Dave Stockwell

Years coaching, record:3rd, 36-13

Top returners: Lindsay Herbert, 6-0, sr., g; Alison Asher, 6-4, sr., post; Laura Dodge, 5-11, jr., w/p; Kelley McCabe, 5-10, sr., w/p; Katie Hawn, 5-9, sr., w/g; Marni Hayes, 5-9, jr., w.

Bonus shot: LC has no player shorter than 5-9. Most of the T-Wolves will appear the same height as seven players range from 5-9, to 5-11.

Outlook:Stockwell expects Herbert and Asher to have big seasons. Team has been bolstered by transfer Kelli Kendrick.

Cheney Blackhawks

1996-97 record: 20-4

Coach: Marty Jessett

Years coaching, record:7, 116-38

Top returners: Anna Getz, 5-8, sr., g. Kara Weitman, 5-8, jr., g. Tiffany Van Matre, 5-10, sr. p. Nina Boline, 5-10, sr., p. Amanda Krough, 5-9, jr., p.

Bonus shot: The Blackhawks are seeking a fourth straight state trip under Jessett.

Outlook: Veteran team will be favored among the Washington teams and could challenge Lake City for a Border crown.

Post Falls Trojans

1996-97 record: 14-11

Coach: Chris Johnson

Years coaching, record: 4th, 35-37

Top returners: Janelle Ruen, 5-11, jr., w; Jennifer Swanstrom, 5-6, sr., g; Megan Billetz, 5-6, jr., g; Katelynn Brown, 5-6, jr., g; Angie Forster, 5-7, jr., f.

Bonus shot: At times, the Trojans could have five guards in the lineup. In fact, 9 of 10 could have the position “guard” next to their names on the roster.

Outlook: Trojans will try to make up for lack of height with all-court pressure.

Coeur d’Alene Vikings

1996-97 record: 7-16

Coach: Bill Pratt

Years coaching and record: 7, first as Cd’A girls coach.

Top returners: Katie Shirley, 6-0, soph., p; Shaylia Davis, 6-0, soph., p; Patty Stranger, 5-2, soph., point; Katelyn Tatum, 5-10, sr., f.

Bonus shot: Pratt may be new coach at CdA, but he is familiar with the Viks, having coached them as eighth-graders.

Outlook: Two starters didn’t return, but Krissi Ruiz has transferred from Priest River. Young Viks have size, talent.

Lewiston Bengals

1996-97 record: 18-3, co-league champs

Coach: Pat Zink

Years coaching, record: 5th, 57-29; 87-125

Top returners: Lorien Albright, 5-9, sr., g; Kim Wegner, 6-0, sr., p; Becky Roberts, 5-4, sr., point guard.

Bonus shot: Lewiston graduated seven of top nine players. Five are playing in college. The Bengals, deep at post last year, are thin there, but deep at guard.

Outlook: With three-year core graduated, Albright will be heavily relied upon. Although not as young as Post Falls or CdA, team could struggle early.

East Valley Knights

1996-97 record: 6-14

Coach: Darsi Frazier

Years coaching, record: 3, 20-25

Top returners: Rebecca Triplett, 6-0, jr., w; Malea Schumacher, 5-5, jr., g; Jessica Conard, 5-4, sr. g; April Tomblin, 5-9, sr., p; Tessa Neal, 5-9, sr., p.

Bonus shot: The Knights struggled last year after being a game shy of state in ‘96.

Outlook: Experience, transfer Nissa Birdsbill and newcomer Rachelle Schultz could make a difference.

West Valley Eagles

1996-97 record: 26-4, state champions

Coach: Mark Kuipers

Years coaching, record: 5, 49-43; 87-125

Top returners: Gabby McClintock, 5-9, sr., g; Alisha Pedey, 5-11, sr., p; Danna Vermeers, 5-4, sr., g; Heather Huffman, 5-10, so. p.

Bonus shot: Kuipers’ teams showed improvement each year, culminating in last year’s surprise title.

Outlook: Young Eagles have sophomores and freshmen surrounding veterans.

Clarkston Bantams

1996-97 record: 6-17

Coach: Len Kelly

Years coaching: 10

Top returners: Crystal Blankinship, 5-5, sr. g; Heather Tucker, 5-6, jr., g; Trisha Johnson, 5-7, jr., p; Katie Rodgers, 5-9, jr., p; Heather Haight, 6-0, sr., p.

Bonus shot: Kelly’s Bantams were state runners-up in 1991.

Outlook: With five returnees, the Bantams could challenge.

Sandpoint Bulldogs

1996-97 record: 2-18

Coach: Duane Ward

Years coaching, record: 12th, third as girls coach, 106-145; 87-125

Top returners: Natalie Ward, 5-7, sr., wing; Tarrah Allmaras, 5-4, jr., point; Bobbi Jo Jensen, 5-8, sr., p; Chrissy Ross, 5-7, jr., g/w; Jill Verby, 5-8, jr., g/w; Jenny Bymaster, 5-7, jr., pg; Natasha Cargill, 5-8, sr., p.

Bonus shot: Ward said his program is getting closer to closing the gap in talent with previous standout teams.

Outlook: Sandpoint could finish as high as fourth, thanks to seven returnees.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Players to watch Anna Getz, 5-8, senior, wing/ guard, Cheney Gabby McClintock, 5-9, senior, post, West Valley Lindsay Herbert, 6-0 senior, guard, Lake City Alison Asher, 6-4, senior, post, Lake City Kara Weitman, 5-8, junior, wing/ guard, Cheney Janelle Ruen, 5-11, junior, wing, Post Falls Rebecca Triplett, 6-0, junior, post, East Valley Malea Schumacher, 5-5, junior guard, East Valley