Valley Schools Bring Success To Border League

The Frontier League may have only four teams, but its girls certainly play good basketball.

Two league members have been state tournament finalists, including defending state champion West Valley. A third has reached the semifinals.

Making things even tougher will be the five Idaho schools with which the four Frontier schools joined to form the Border League. Lake City High in Coeur d’Alene is a state tournament favorite in Idaho.

“The nice thing is there will come a time when we break off and have our own district tournament,” said Eagle coach Mark Kuipers.

The new league is a satisfactory stopgap, added East Valley coach Darsi Frazier, but if she had her druthers, she’d be playing against Greater Spokane League foes.

“I was a big advocate for the GSL,” she said.

Win or lose, Border League competition will be so competitive that it could prove to be an asset come post-season for Washington schools. Despite past success, getting to state becomes more difficult.

Two teams from the four-team district will play in a regional against four Mid-Valley League schools to determine state entrants.

First Border League counters are Tuesday.

Eagles to follow familiar formula

A youth movement by Kuipers began four years ago and led to last year’s state title.

This year’s Eagles are starting anew and will be even younger than those teams. Varsity includes four freshmen and at least two sophomores.

“They can play and they are going to get to,” said Kuipers. “It’s a big, talented freshman class at all levels.”

Not that there isn’t a certain amount of experience. Four players return for the state titlists, including third-year starter Gabby McClintock.

“She’s a pretty good player,” said Kuipers. “Pretty good is an understatement.”

McClintock was WV’s leading scorer and best player on the team, if not the best in league.

Also back are seniors Alisha Pedey, point guard Danna Vermeers and sophomore Heather Huffman.

Joining them are senior Susanne Foray, a quick, 5-foot-10 transfer from Canada, sophomores Vanessa Parvey and possibly Heidi Lyman, and freshmen Chelsey Thomas, Shannon Groh, Monica Hilsabeck and Amanda Holstrum.

The group is more talented at this stage, said Kuipers, than the players who ultimately won state. Like their counterparts, this year’s team will likely take its lumps.

“We’re asking kids to grow up sooner than expected,” said Kuipers. “But these kids are fearless, and with the state title people can see we’re doing something right.”

New atmosphere at East Valley

Frazier was counting on talented youngsters to carry last season, but it didn’t pan out.

This year, she says, could be different.

“Last year we didn’t click. We had little to no varsity experience,” she said. “This year the kids work well together. Just the whole atmosphere is good.”

Five returnees, including two talented juniors, a welcome transfer and five players from the junior varsity comprise the roster.

“We’re not a powerhouse,” said Frazier, “but they had a good summer with tons of tournaments and got pretty competitive.”

Team scoring leader Rebecca Triplett, an athletic 6-footer, and soccer star Malea Schumacher are the junior standouts.

Also back from last year are seniors Jessica Conard, April Tomblin and Tessa Neal.

They’ve been joined by Montana transfer Nissa Birdsbill, a senior guard.

“She’s going to help us out quite a bit,” said Frazier.

Up from junior varsity are senior Lisa Werner, juniors Ashley LeGrant, Valarie Brittain, Andrea Tonani and Rachelle Schultz.

“I feel good,” said Frazier. “I feel like we’ll be competitive.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo