Greater Spokane League girls basketball preview
In predicted order of finish:
Lewis and Clark Tigers
2004-05 records: 12-1, 2nd in GSL; 26-3, 3rd State 4A.
Coach: Jim Redmon
Years coaching, record: 10th, 140-84
Starters, lettermen returning: 4, 10
Key players: Heather Bowman, 6-2, sr., p; Hanna Rothstrom, 6-0, sr., p; Brittany Kennedy, 5-8, so. g. Ula Tauala, 5-8, jr., g. Katelan Redmon, 6-0, jr., g.
Outlook: Redmon, Mt. Spokane’s leading scorer (13.8 ppg) and first-team All-GSL selection is playing for her uncle. Bowman, LC’s leading scorer (16.4) is the league’s top post and headed to Gonzaga University. With experience and depth, Tigers are tough to hold.
Coach’s comments: “We have speed, size experience and a great inside game with Rothstrom and Bowman. We have high expectations for ourselves.”
University Titans
2004-05 records: 13-0, GSL champions; 26-3, 6th in state.
Coach: Mark Stinson
Years coaching, record: 12th, 167-68
Starters, lettermen returning: 2, 7
Key players: Angie Bjorklund, 6-0, jr., first-team All-GSL; Tonya Schnibbe, 5-5, sr., g. Dara Zack, 5-8, jr., p. Janna Erickson, 6-0, sr., p. Riki Schiermeister, 5-9, so., w.
Outlook: Bjorklund (19.2 ppg) has already made an oral commitment to Tennessee. She alone makes the Titans title contenders, although currently out with an injury. Fourth-year starter Schnibbe is headed to Weber State. Other injuries have further set back the team.
Coach’s comments: “We’re going to have to go back to smoke and mirrors for a while, but we’ll make it through. If we hold things together by the end of the year we’ll see what happens.”
Mead Panthers
2004-05 records: 7-6, 6th (tie); 11-10
Coach: Regan Freuen
Years coaching, record: 3rd, 22-20
Starters, lettermen returning: 3, 6
Key players: Kelli Valentine, 6-0, jr., f/c. Chelsea Mykines, 5-6, sr., g; Megan Thigpen, 5-9, sr., f/g; Nikki Nelson, 5-4, jr., g. Kayla Clark, 5-8, jr., p.
Outlook: With Nelson and Clark on board, along with returning leading scorers Valentine (15.6 ppg) and Mykines (9.8) among five returnees, the Panthers are deeper, quicker and experienced.
Coach’s comments: “Kelli has improved and the guards can score. I think we’ll be stronger defensively. If the team can mesh we can be very successful.”
Gonzaga Prep Bullpups
2004-05 records: 11-2, 3rd; 19-7, regional qualifier.
Coach: Mike Arte
Years coaching, record: 18th, 211-171
Starters, lettermen returning: 2, 7
Key players: Corrina O’Brien, 5-2, sr., pg, second-team All-GSL; Tara Cronin, 5-10, jr., p; Sarah Jennings, 5-6, sr., g; Georgia Burke, 5-6 sr., g.
Outlook: O’Brien, in her fourth year at point, scored 24 in Prep’s season-opening win Wednesday over Moscow. Jennings provides scoring and Cronin was clutch in postseason with a 13.0 average. With transfer Burke from Lake City the Bullpups stay tough.
Coach’s comments: “Once again we will emphasize an up-tempo, full-throttle brand of basketball. Our defense is fullcourt pressure, pressure, pressure. In our offense there is no such thing as a bad shot. I can’t wait for the fun.”
Ferris Saxons
2004-05 records: 7-6, 6th (tie); 9-12.
Coach: Art Rojas
Years coaching, record: 14th, 175-134
Starters, lettermen returning: 3, 7
Key players: Cheri Shigeno, 5-3, sr., g; Lexi Lallas, 6-0, jr., p; Jenna Galloway, 5-11, so., g/f.
Outlook: Lallas (13.2 ppg) finished among the league’s top 10 in scoring. Galloway is a force and the numbers of returnees from last year’s injury-filled season give Rojas the kind of depth he likes.
Coach’s comments: “We’re as anxious as we’ve ever been to get on the court. We’re small, but the girls are extremely athletic and defend with passion. You’ll see more of a carousel. We will play a lot of bodies.”
Central Valley Bears
2004-05 records: 9-4, 5th; 14-7.
Coach: Judy Walters
Years coaching, record: 9th as a head coach, 2nd at CV, 120-40.
Starters, lettermen returning: 3, 5.
Key players: Heidi Heintz, 5-10, sr., g/f; Salena Leavitt, 5-6, sr., g; Sarah Gehring, 5-9, sr., g/f.
Outlook: Three fourth-year players return, Heintz, headed to University of San Francisco and scoring leader (16.3 ppg), Leavitt and Gehring. Their experience will keep CV competitive. The Bears won their season opener easily on Wednesday.
Coach’s comments: “The returning players have a drive to improve on last year’s record. It depends upon chemistry and how quickly the young players develop, but I look for a much more cohesive squad.”
Mt. Spokane Wildcats
2004-05 records: 10-3, 4th; 18-8, regional qualifier.
Coach: Jeanne Helfer
Years coaching, record: 23rd, 321-201
Starters, lettermen returning: 3, 4
Key players: Leah Pomante, 5-3, sr., g; Charlee Jackson, 5-10, sr., f; Sam Patrick, 5-10, jr., f. Lacey Kerr, 5-7, sr. g.
Outlook: Loss of Redmon to LC is a blow to a team that reached its first regional tournament last year. Veterans Jackson and Pomante must take up the scoring slack and sophomores will play big role.
Coach’s comments: “Obviously you’re disappointed when you lose a player of Kate’s caliber, but we’re going to get by. We have solid seniors who will hold things together. They are our glue.”
Shadle Park Highlanders
2004-05 records: 5-8 8th (tie); 6-14
Coach: Chad Dezellem
Years coaching, record: 7th, 56-77
Starters, lettermen returning: 4, 7
Key players: Lexi Bishop, 5-7, jr. g; Katija Margitich, 5-6, sr., g; Ali Fenter, 5-5, so., g; Lexi Petterson, 5-11, so., p.
Outlook: Bishop (12.6 ppg) and Petterson (8.8) Lexi, combined for 36 points in Tuesday’s easy win at Riverside. They head a veteran and improved team poised to make a playoff run.
Coach’s comments: “These are great kids. We’ve got good overall speed and athletes, good overall knowledge of the game. We must do the little things extremely well.”
East Valley Knights
2004-05 records: 5-8, 8th (tie); 10-14, 3A regional qualifier.
Coach: Freddie Rehkow
Years coaching, record: 4th, 25-41.
Starters, lettermen returning: 1, 6
Key players: Kelsey Hentges, 5-8, sr., g; Eleaya Schuerch, 5-7, jr., g; Kylee Williamson, 5-9, jr., f; Elise Olk, 5-6, sr., g.
Outlook: Like the Highlanders, experienced EV will challenge for an upper-division finish. Schuerch and Hentges were among the team scoring leaders. Nicole Jacobson has moved in from CV.
Coach’s comments: “We have athleticism, speed and a number of returners who have knowledge of the system. With a little time the team should have the capability of working deep into the (3A) playoffs.”
Clarkston Bantams
2004-05 records: 5-8, 8th (tie); 12-12, 3A regional qualifier.
Coach: Len Kelly
Years coaching, record: 18th, unavailable.
Starters, lettermen returning: 3, 6
Key players: Misty Atkinson, 5-10, jr., w/p; Patsy Dodgen-Auer, 5-6, sr., g; Alicia Jelinek, 5-6, sr., g.
Outlook: Leading scorer Atkinson (14.1 ppg) is important for the Bantams who should also contend for a 3A regional return. Jelinek, Dodgen-Auer and McCann are all three-year varsity veterans.
Coach’s comments: “We look to have good things happen for us. Our starting five is strong. We need to put the ball in Misty’s hands as much as possible. Our younger players need to provide depth.”
North Central Indians
2004-05 records: 3-10 11th; 12-12, 3A regional qualifier.
Coach: Dave Hall
Years coaching, record: 19th, 98-246
Starters, lettermen returning: 3, 6
Key players: Ashlee Michelson, 5-8, sr., w/p; Lindsay Giampietri, 5-3, sr., g; Alie Hansen, 5-8, sr., w.
Outlook: Indians got off to a hot start last year. The going was tougher in league, but Michelson (13.7 ppg) helped them qualify for the 3A regionals. Hansen was team’s third-leading scorer but injury shortened her year.
Coach’s comments: “We need to make the close games closer and finish down the stretch. The girls know what it will take to make a run at the regional title. We’re competing in a great league.”
Cheney Blackhawks
2004-05 records: 2-11, 12th (tie); 4-16.
Coach: Hal Sautter
Years coaching, record: 5th, 57-41
Starters, lettermen returning: 1, 9
Key players: Cailynee Oyolokor, 5-10, sr. p; Heather Burke, 5-9, sr., w.
Outlook: Sautter returns to a program he coached from 1981-85. Several players are back from last year, Oyolokor and Burke the most experienced. Otherwise, it will be a new-look, uptempo team.
Coach’s comments: “We are young, but that means we are not afraid to make a mistake. We had a successful summer and hope to build on that.”
Rogers Pirates
2004-05 records: 0-13, 14th; 0-20
Coach: Nicole Kilgore
Years coaching: 6th, 4th at Rogers; 17-60
Starters, lettermen returning: 4, 6
Key players: Denisha Whitehead, 5-7, jr., g; Rikeya Crossley, 5-8, jr., g; Mary Fairbanks, 5-9, jr., p/g; D’Erica Jones, 5-9, jr., p; Becca McCord, 6-2, jr., p.
Outlook: The Pirates are a year away, but they will be much improved, led by Whitehead and Jones, and wins can finally come. Most of the juniors are third-year varsity veterans.
Coach’s comments: “We’re much better than we’ve been in the past. I’ve (worked with) these juniors for two (previous) years.”
West Valley Eagles
2004-05 records: 2-11, 12th (tie); 2-18.
Coach: Lorin Carlon
Years coaching, record: 12th, 1st at West Valley 196-117
Starters, lettermen returning: 2, 7
Key players: Krystal McCarthy, 5-5, jr., g; Lisa Stoll, 5-11, sr., p; Melissa Mauro, 5-9, so., w; Olivia Parvey, 5-7, jr., g; Jordyn Sodorff, 5-2, so., g; Leah Hanenburg, 5-10, sr., p.
Outlook: Carlon is the fourth coach in four years at WV and like the previous three has a good track record. His St. John-Endicott teams won state and had four other top-three places in State B. McCarthy is a third-year starter.
Coach’s comments: “We feel good. We have a couple seniors who can play some, but basically we’re going to be pretty young.”