Girls Scouting Report

Wed., March 1, 2000

Add Spokesman-Review on Google

Compiled By Janie Mccauley, Staf

THE FAVORITES

St. George’s Dragons

Record: 26-0

Coach: Ross Thomas

First-round opponent: Kittitas

Route to state: Defeated Sprague-Harrington 75-45 at District 7 tournament.

Top players: Wenchi Liu, 5-4, sr, G, 14.8 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 6 apg, 6 spg; Alyssa Henley, 6-0, sr., C, 16.8 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 2.2 spg; Samantha Clarke, 5-5, jr., G, 8.7 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2 apg, 2.4 spg; Katie DePonty, 5-9, jr., C, 8.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.8 spg; Abbey Blume, 5-6, sr., F, 4.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 2.4 apg, 2.5 spg.

Fast fact: The Dragons average 80 points per game and hold opponents to 34.

Outlook: St. George’s has a press that should drive most teams nuts. The Dragons’ second-place finish last season was a disappointment.

Garfield-Palouse Vikings

Record: 21-2

Coach: Craig Brantner

First-round opponent: Mt. Vernon Christian

Route to state: Defeated LaCrosse-Washtucna 58-46 at District 9 tournament.

Top players: Jenny Iverson, 5-8, jr., G, 9.1 ppg; Kenon Kildew, 5-11, sr., F, 7.9 ppg; Sandra Tronsen, 5-7, sr., G, 7.8 ppg; Katie Coles, 5-8, sr., G, 13.3 ppg; Tasha Swinney, 5-8, sr., G, 12.5 ppg.

Fast fact: The Vikings have won 17 in a row and their only losses are to State 1A qualifier Colfax. Gar-Pal won the State B volleyball tournament with many of the same players.

Outlook: A shift in the draw put the Vikings in the top half of the bracket and they could provide a tough semifinal test for St. George’s.

THE CONTENDERS

Waterville Shockers

Record: 18-4

Coach: Ed Worthen

First-round opponent: Selkirk

Route to state: Defeated Pateros 48-27 at District 6 tournament.

Top players: Abby Jordan, 5-8, soph., F, 8.8 ppg; Catrina Dawson, 5-5, jr., G, 6 ppg; Jeni Koch, 5-8, jr., G, 7.2 ppg; Audra Koch, 5-7, sr., G, 4.3 ppg; Bobbi Riddell, 5-11, jr., C, 9.5 ppg.

Fast fact: Waterville’s only losses are to 1A and 2A schools, and it is 37-1 against Class B competition the past two seasons.

Outlook: A young Shockers team was a surprise last season, placing fifth, and should place higher this time.

Valley Christian Panthers

Record: 20-3

Coach: Rick Biel

First-round opponent: Mossyrock

Route to state: Defeated Selkirk 55-46 at District 7 tournament.

Top players: Kristen Lanker, 5-7, jr., F, 8.1 ppg; Carli Smith, 5-11, soph., G, 16.2 ppg; Katie Arnhold, 5-8, sr., F, 8 ppg; Kasie Cupp, 5-4, soph., G, 8.7 ppg; Jenae Monforton, 5-7, fr., G, 4.8 ppg.

Fast fact: This is the school’s second winning season.

Outlook: The Panthers have a potential second-round challenge from LaCrosse-Washtucna but could place as high as third.

Napavine Tigers

Record: 19-4

Coach: Shane Schutz

First-round opponent: Davenport

Route to state: Defeated Willapa Valley 50-31 at District 4 tournament.

Top players: Tara Moon, 5-3, sr., G, 2.2 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 2.5 apg; Vanessa Bulock, 5-4, sr., G, 1 ppg, 2 rpg, 2.2 apg; Faith Winslow, 5-11, sr., F, 8.2 ppg, 8 rpg, 4 apg; Carrie Spencer, 6-3, sr., C, 20 ppg, 11.2 rpg, 3 apg; Joey Russell, 5-10, sr., C, 9.4 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 1 apg.

Fast fact: Junior guard Amber Mummert missed the season with a knee injury. She was a significant contributor last year.

Outlook: The Tigers are one of only three returning placers. They were sixth last year and should earn another trophy.

LaCrosse-Washtucna Tigercats

Record: 19-7

Coach: Mike Jones

First-round opponent: Clallam Bay

Route to state: Defeated Asotin 52-48 at District 9 tournament.

Top players: Rochelle Schneider, 5-8, sr., F, 10 ppg; Danielle Ayers-Stamper, 5-11, soph., C, 15 ppg, 6 rpg; Stefanie Wigen, 5-9, jr., F, 8 ppg, 6 rpg; Kelli Mays, 5-6, jr., F, 9 ppg; Kate Baumann, 6-0, jr., C, 8 ppg.

Fast fact: This is the team’s first state berth since the schools combined. Washtucna has been to the B once. Both coaches are alumni - Jones (Washtucna, 1993) and Tim Stamper (LaCrosse, 1978).

Outlook: Four of the team’s seven losses were to GarfieldPalouse, and another was to State 1A qualifier Colfax, so look for the Tigercats to bring home a trophy in their first tournament.

MIGHT SURPRISE

Kittitas Coyotes

Record: 19-6

Coach: Scott Wilson

First-round opponent: St. George’s

Route to state: Defeated Pateros 57-48 at District 6 tournament.

Top players: Jamie Alder, 5-8, sr., G, 10.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.8 apg; Jill Hart, 5-3, soph., G, 5 ppg; Lindsay Hart, 5-5, sr., G, 15.7 ppg, 6.7 apg, 8.6 spg; Jenny Hansberry, 5-10, sr., F, 10.7 ppg, 8 rpg; Tonya Truhlicka, 5-8, sr., F, 10 ppg, 6 rpg.

Fast facts: Kittitas dropped back to Class B after going 28-14 in two seasons in 1A. Lindsay Hart is the school’s ASB president and made her 573rd career steal in the win over Pateros that got her team to state.

Outlook: Four players average double figures in scoring but the Coyotes have the toughest draw in the tournament.

Selkirk Rangers

Record: 22-5

Coach: Kelly Cain

First-round opponent: Waterville

Route to state: Defeated Republic 37-36 at District 7 tournament.

Top players: Christina Fairbairn, 5-6, sr., F, 10.5 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 4.4 spg, 2.8 apg; Wynne Scherf, 5-7, sr., F, 10.8 ppg, 6.4 rpg; Mollee Beatty, 5-4, jr., G, 5.3 ppg, 3 rpg, 2.2 apg; Rachea Allert, 5-9, sr., G, 9.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 6.2 apg; Crystal Schmidt, 5-11, soph., C, 8.3 ppg, 6 rpg.

Fast fact: The Rangers are the State B girls academic champions with a 3.78 grade-point average.

Outlook: Selkirk could bring home a trophy in its first trip to state since 1983.

Clallam Bay Bruins

Record: 20-3

Coach: Mike Jannausch

First-round opponent: LaCrosse-Washtucna

Route to state: Defeated King’s West 48-46 at District 1-2-3 tournament.

Top players: Emily Dukes, 6-0, sr., C, 22 ppg; Mandy Leiza, 5-5, jr., F, 10.2 ppg; Ann Yancey, 5-6, jr., F, 4.2 ppg; Tanya Hull, 5-7, soph., F, 9.3 ppg; Ashley Barber, 5-7, jr., C, 3.8 ppg.

Fast fact: The Bruins have won 16 straight games and seven league titles in eight years. They are making their fifth state appearance in seven years and placed fourth in 1997.

Outlook: Clallam Bay will be hard-pressed to match its ‘97 finish but could reach the trophy round.

THE UNDERDOGS

King’s West Warriors

Record: 19-5

Coach: Tom Oliver

First-round opponent: Lyle

Route to state: Defeated Shoreline Christian 48-29 in District 1-2-3 tournament.

Top players: Marcia Bulette, 5-5, jr., G, 9.1 ppg, 2.0 rpg; Bekah Walker, 5-8, jr., G, 12.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg; Natasha Beals, 5-7, jr., G, 7.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg; Kasey Treger, 5-9, sr., F, 8.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg; Beth Grams, 6-1, jr., C, 8.9 ppg, 9.2 rpg.

Fast fact: The Bremerton school lost one starter before the season to a shoulder injury and another transferred. The Warriors held opponents to 35 points per game while averaging 50.8 ppg.

Outlook: King’s West won its first state game last season in the Warriors’ third state appearance and should win another game this year.

Davenport Gorillas

Record: 17-9

Coach: Jim Stinson

First-round opponent: Napavine

Route to state: Defeated Sprague-Harrington 41-30 at District 7 tournament.

Top players: Rachae Bell, 5-2, fr., G, 3.8 ppg; Kristy Guhlke, 5-8, sr., G, 9.8 ppg; Addie Lust, 5-8, sr., F, 7 ppg, 5.9 rpg; Natasha Kunz, 5-9, sr., C, 8.7 ppg, 6.1 rpg; Dena Cowdrey, 5-10, sr., C, 2.9 ppg.

Fast fact: The Gorillas return to state for the first time since ‘95 in Stinson’s first season back coaching the team.

Outlook: Davenport probably will be playing without junior starter and leading scorer Cindy Swain (13 ppg, 6.3 rpg), who has a stress fracture in her left foot. The Gorillas will have to try to find a way to slow down Napavine’s Carrie Spencer in the first round.

Lyle Cougars

Record: 20-2

Coach: Verlyn Smith

First-round opponent: King’s West

Route to state: Defeated Sunnyside Christian 30-29 at District 5 tournament.

Top players: Deeandra Smith, 5-2, sr., G, 11.3 ppg, 9.55 apg; Heidi Billette, 5-6, jr., F, 7.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg; Kristina Lucas, 5-8, soph., 15 ppg, 8 rpg; Nissa Sorensen, 5-10, sr., C, 5.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg; Lindsey Blaine, 5-9, fr., F, 11 ppg, 5.9 rpg.

Fast fact: The team’s upset win over Sunnyside Christian handed the Knights, eighth at state last year, their first loss of the season and they missed the tournament.

Outlook: The Cougars are 0-6 in three appearances, and this is their first since ‘83. They have a good chance to break into the win column this time.

Mt. Vernon Christian Hurricanes

Record: 22-4

Coach: Dick Gudmunson

First-round opponent: Garfield-Palouse

Route to state: Defeated Evergreen Lutheran 54-39 at District 1-2-3 tournament.

Top players: Holly Braun, 5-8, fr., F, 13.7 ppg; Leslie VanderVeen, 5-6, sr., F, 7 ppg; Tara Lervick, 5-8, sr., F, 6.5 ppg; Sarah Kuipers, 5-11, fr., C, 15.3 ppg; Darby DeVries, 6-3, sr., C, 7.9 ppg.

Fast fact: Mt. Vernon Christian earned its first state berth since 1996 and fifth overall.

Outlook: The Hurricanes are 2-8 at state and could have a tough test with Davenport in loser-out play Thursday.

Neah Bay Red Devils

Record: 14-4

Coach: Lucy Dafoe

First-round opponent: Willapa Valley

Route to state: Defeated Evergreen Lutheran 65-60 at District 1-2-3 tournament.

Top players: Jackie Svec, 5-8, jr., F, 5.5 ppg; Lisa Halttunen, 5-3, sr., G, 5.5 ppg; Lindsay Ritter, 5-6, sr., G, 18.6 ppg; Lisa Moore, 5-8, sr., F, 7.3 ppg; Misty Jarrett, 5-4, jr., G, 11.3 ppg.

Fast fact: The Reds have one player at 5-11 but she’s a freshman called up from JV and won’t see much time. The rest of the team is 5-8 or shorter and the team’s average height is 5-5.

Outlook: Neah Bay hasn’t been to state since 1990. This team will use its speed but will go home empty-handed.

Mossyrock Vikings

Record: 15-8

Coach: Gary Stamper

First-round opponent: Valley Christian

Route to state: Defeated North Beach 44-41 at District 4 tournament.

Top players: Sherry Allen, 5-4, sr., G, 7.5 ppg, 4 apg; Keri Workman, 5-6, soph., G, 7.8 ppg; Staci Hendricks, 5-7, soph., G, 11.5 ppg, 6 rpg; Tori Nelson, 5-8, sr., G, 15.8 ppg, 9.5 rpg; Meghan Wright, 6-2, fr., C, 4.1 ppg.

Fast fact: Nelson started as a freshman on the ‘97 team that lost two straight, and was eager to return to state so Mossyrock could redeem itself.

Outlook: The Vikings could be done in two games again.

Willapa Valley Vikings

Record: 20-4

Coach: Tom Betrozoff

First-round opponent: Neah Bay

Route to state: Defeated North Beach 50-47 at District 4 tournament.

Top players: Whitney Niemcziek, 5-7, jr., G, 2.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg; Hope Adams, 5-9, sr., G, 12 ppg, 2.9 rpg; Laci Bannish, 5-9, sr., G, 12.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg; Kristen Berry, 6-0, jr., F, 7.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg; Emily Burton, 5-11, jr., F, 6.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg; Becky Babka, 5-8, sr., F, 6.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg.

Fast fact: Four of the team’s starters have been constants, but the fifth changes between Burton and Berry. Adams has made 28 of 102 3-pointers this season.

Outlook: The Vikings lost out in two games last year but should win their opener.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forum series -- which helps to boost local journalism -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax-deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.