Gsl Girls Basketball
In predicted order of finish
(Coaches’ records at start of season)
Ferris Saxons
1996-97 record: 10-6 GSL, 17-9
Coach: Art Rojas
Years head coach, record: 6th, 2nd at Ferris, 51-65
Starters, letter winners returning: 5, 8
Top returners: Amy George, 5-8, sr., g-f (second team All-GSL); Karie Pruett, 5-9, sr., g (second-team All-GSL); Janelle Morrisette, 5-10, sr., c (honorable mention All-GSL); Jenny Lytle, 5-7, sr., g; Christy Martin, 5-5, sr., g; Kelly McCaffery, 5-10, jr., c; Jenny Benzel, 5-9, soph.
Newcomers: Sabrina Brazzle, 5-7, jr., g.
Bonus shot: Seven players return with starting experience, but four-year starter Pruett is recovering from a broken wrist.
Coach’s comment: “With eight returning letter winners and a year of experience in a new system, the girls are practicing with confidence and fire. Coming so close to state last year has provided incentive for this one. If we continue to improve like last year, we should be able to compete with anyone.”
Outlook: The Saxons will be in the top three, but Pruett’s return is crucial for a title because there is little room for error in this league.
Central Valley Bears
1996-97 record: 15-1, 24-6, GSL champs, 2nd state
Coach: Dale Poffenroth
Years head coach, record: 10th, 199-74
Starters, letter winners returning: 2, 9
Top returners: Rikki Jackson, 5-9, sr., pg (second team All-GSL); Jenny Coyle, 5-11, sr., p; Lindsey Shoquist, 5-9, sr., f.
Newcomers: Marisa Liepman, 5-9, jr., p; Tori Bragdon, 5-8, jr., f; Michelle Grafos, 5-4, jr., g; Courtney Phiney, 5-0, jr., g.
Bonus shot: CV has been in the regionals every year since the tournament with the Big Nine was formed in 1988.
Coach’s comment: Strength: “Depth.” Weakness: “Size, short but slow.”
Outlook: With Jackson the Bears will be contenders but untested players need to step up in a tough league or the Bears could falter.
Mead Panthers
1996-97 record: 14-2, 20-5
Coach: Beth Wing
Years head coach, record: 1st, 0-0
Starters, letter winners returning: 2, 6
Top returners: Allie Bailey, 5-11, sr., p (second team All-GSL); Danielle Zelinski, 5-5, sr., pg; Morgan Bennett, 5-10, jr., g-f; Staci Schurman, 5-8, sr., f; Holly Myers, 5-11, sr., p; Natalie Kehl, 5-6, sr., g.
Newcomers: Becky Slater, 5-8, jr., g-f; Shannon Leaf, 5-8, jr., g-f; Courtney Ferguson, 5-5, soph., g; Brandi Curry, 5-11, sr., f-p; April Gallagher, s-11, sr., f-p, transfer from Shadle Park.
Bonus shot: Wing, a ‘95 Gonzaga U grad, takes over after two years helping Jeanne Helfer.
Coach’s comment: “I’m excited about this season and the goals the team has set for themselves.”
Outlook: Adjusting to a new coach could take some time, but the Panthers have the athletes, including Bailey, the best frontline player in the league.
Rogers Pirates
1996-97 record: 7-9, 9-11
Coach: Drew Vanderpool
Years head coach, record: 14th, 3rd at Rogers, 192-147
Starters, letter winners returning: 2, 7
Top returners: Angel Fairbanks, 5-11, sr., f (honorable mention All-GSL); Monica Abrahamson, 5-11, sr., f-c; Katie Logue, 5-7, jr., pg; Jill Hatch, 5-8, sr., f.
Newcomers: Christine Delger, 5-7, sr., g; Crystal Perry, 5-3, jr., g; Courtney Davis, 5-5, jr., g.
Bonus shot: The Pirates have never played in the regional tournament.
Coach’s comment: “We look to improve on the fith-place finish we had last year.”
Outlook: Fairbanks and Abrahamson are 3-year varsity players, giving the Pirates strength inside in a league that isn’t up to its usual standard of big players.
Shadle Park Highlanders
1996-97 record: 4-12, 7-13
Coach: Linda Sheridan
Years head coach, record: 24th, 356-114
Starters, letter winners returning: 4, 6
Top returners: Sara Harchuck, 5-9, sr., w-g; Brooke Olzendam, 5-8, sr., w-g; Michelle Etter, 5-11, jr., p; Aubrie Caldwell, 5-4, jr., pg; Rachelle Stockman, 5-11, jr., w-p.
Newcomers: Holly Fay, 6-0, jr., p; Amy Ridings, 5-5, soph., g; Katie Schurra, 5-9, soph., w; Andrea McGrath, 5-10, soph., w-g; McKenzie Kiritz, 5-9, jr., p; Tara Buckley, 5-6, sr., w; Missy Alake, 5-5, soph., w.
Bonus shot: The Highlanders have more sophomores (four) than seniors (three) on the 12-player roster.
Coach’s comment: “A very open and competitive league. I doubt anyone will escape without a few setbacks. The Big Nine was also young last year so the regional should be a barn-burner.”
Outlook: The Highlanders are deeper, quicker and a little taller than in recent years and in a balanced league they could move up a couple notches.
University Titans
1996-97 record: 3-13, 4-16
Coach: Bob Finn
Years head coach, record: 5th, 38-48
Starters, letter winners returning: 5, 7
Top returners: Crystal Conant, 5-6, sr., g; Jolene Whitney, 5-8, sr., g; Julie Schroeder, 5-9, jr., g; Jaimie Frost, 5-10, sr., p; Katy Oglesbee, 5-11, sr., p. Newcomers: Vanessa Shelton, 5-8, soph., g; Teresa Valkenaar, 6-0, soph., p; Megan Owen, 5-10, soph., g-f; Sara Nelson, 5-6, jr., g; Karlene Parker, 5-7, jr., g; Casey Lektorich, 5-6, jr., g.
Bonus shot: Three sophomores could start for the Titans, but Conant, Oglesbee and Whitney are 3-year varsity members.
Coach’s comment: “We’re very optimistic. The team is working hard and looks very promising.”
Outlook: The Titans are young and talented, but emphasize the young, which generally means a rocky road in this league.
Lewis and Clark Tigers
1996-97 record: 6-10, 8-13
Coach: Jim Redmon
Years head coach, record: 2nd, 8-13
Starters, letter winners returning: 3, 8
Top returners: Mary Thompson, 6-0, sr., p; Carlin Oeljin, 6-0, sr., w; Sara Giebel, 5-4, sr., pg; Katie Marquess, 5-8, sr., g; Deonna Ford, 5-11, sr., f.
Newcomers: Abby Hamre, 5-5, soph., pg; Sarah Travis, 5-10, soph., w; Amy Kauppila, 5-9, soph., g.
Bonus shot: The Tigers hope to get 5-7 junior Janell Wendle back from a knee injury in January.
Coach’s comment: “The league will be very balanced after Ferris and Mead. It should be a dog fight for the other positions.”
Outlook: The Tigers could finish anywhere from eighth to fourth depending on how their inside game develops.
Gonzaga Prep Bullpups
1996-97 record: 12-4, 20-7, 3rd GSL, 1st district, 2nd regional, made state
Coach: Mike Arte
Years head coach, record: 10th, 95-97
Starters, letter winners returning: 1, 5
Top returners: Paulette Jordan, 6-0, sr., w; Meghann Green, 5-11, sr., p.
Newcomers: Juliann Laney, 6-0, frosh, pg; Stephanie Housam, 6-1, soph., p; Christy Bloom, 5-7, sr., w; Mary Machtolf, 5-10, sr., w-p; Amy Lindstrom, 5-11, jr., w-p; Shawna Millersmith, 6-1, sr., p.
Bonus shot: Lindstrom is a transfer from Australia, where her father coached for a professional team.
Coach’s comment: “If we can stay consistent in our shooting, we should be able to compete with most teams in our league.”
Outlook: The Bullpups have good overall height, but their inside players are inexperienced. If they improve and a freshman point guard can handle the pressure, a playoff spot is possible.
North Central Indians
1996-97 record: 0-16, 2-18
Coach: John Reid
Years head coach, record: 2nd 2-38
Starters, letter winners returning: 0, 4
Top returners: Alice Sterns, 5-10, jr., c; Amber Carter, 5-6, jr., g; Ilica Ellenwood, 5-4, jr., g; Beth White, 5-7, sr., g.
Newcomers: Jennifer Webber, 5-4, soph., g; Deanne Graesser, 5-8, soph., g; Sara Holdren, 5-9, soph., f.
Bonus shot: The entertaining Groovy Shoe game against Shadle Park is Jan. 30 at the Arena.
Coach’s comment: “The players are learning the system we are trying to set in place for the program.”
Outlook: The Indians are too young and inexperienced to compete, but they are building for the future.
Mt. Spokane Wildcats
1996-97 record: 0-0
Coach: Jeanne Helfer
Years head coach, record: 14th, 267-92
Starters, letter winners returning: 0, 0
Top returners: First year school.
Newcomers: Everyone on team is new.
Bonus shot: Former GSL stars Colleen Flanigan and Jen Tissue are assistant coaches.
Coach’s comment: “Wins and losses will not be our standard of measure. They will get better, learn a lot and gain the necessary experience to be successful in this league.
Outlook: The school has no seniors; the Wildcats only have four juniors on roster. Programs are built from the bottom up.
, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Players to watch Christy Martin, 5-foot-5, sr., point guard, Ferris. The Saxons have plenty of returning firepower, their success depends on the floor general. Jenny Coyle, 5-11, sr., post, Central Valley. Rikki Jackson will direct the offense just fine, but Coyle must step up on the boards and defense for the Bears to reach their goals. Danielle Zelinski, 5-5, sr., point guard, Mead. For the Panthers to be successful, the ball has to get to the right place at the right time, which didn’t happen last year. Vanessa Shelton, 5-8, soph., point guard, University. Players with exceptional speed are a joy to watch and if there aren’t too many youthful mistakes, she should make the Titans dangerous. Paulette Jordan, 6-foot, sr., wing, Gonzaga Prep. Has been long on potential but overshadowed; it’s her turn to change potential into results.