All-state girls basketball on tap at Mead High

Players from throughout the state will converge on Mead High School Saturday for the 2004 Washington All-State Girls Basketball games.

Four games, between Class B, 1A, 2A and 3A-4A East and West teams, will be played in the daylong event.

Nearly 100 players will be involved, including Kristin Watts and Jenna Vuletich from 1A state champion Colfax, Jessie DePell and Melissa Baker from Northeast A co-champion Freeman, Pullman’s Amanda Troutt and Kelli Davis from the State 2A runners-up and a host of area Class B players. Among them are Bailee Clark from state second place Almira/Coulee-Hartline.

Coaches for the B East-West Game are Bill Bender of state champion St. George’s and Gary Stamper from Mossyrock.

The 1A game is coached by Cory Baerlocker of Colfax and Shane Schutz from Napavine.

The 2A East coach is Jeff Eller from state champion Chelan and the West coach is Bob McIntosh from Mt. Baker.

Len Kelly, coach of 3A state-placing Clarkston and Karen Blair from champion Meadowdale are the 3A/4A coaches.

The Washington All-State series was begun by Tom Oliver when he was a coach at King’s West and moved to Spokane when he became activities vice-principal at Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls).

It is in its eighth year.

The event is sponsored by NBC Camps, Kimmel Athletic, Spalding, Nvest Real Estate and Coke.